Today was my first race of the season. This was "my" road, my "usual Sunday ride". I know the route well. Easy. Today I had to share the ride with a another 400 or so riders. A bit like going to my favourite coffee place/local (Mirabelle) and then finding it's full of "out of towners".
Last time I did the MFR race, which I think was probably circa 2002 or 2003, as I was living in Martinborough, I was beaten by primary school children on releigh 20s (or equivalent) and several old age pensioners. That memory has stayed with me. Last time I rode I didn't have shoes with Look cleats, or aspriations to complete the Taupo Challenge - or in fact a registration locked in. Last time I walked a few 'hills', including the same one I fell off a month or so ago. Last time I did this race I had not completed over 100 rpm sessions. Did that make a difference?
I'm probably about the same weight I was last time I did the race (its been up heaps and then down) - cardio wise fitter, but can't push the same weights I could re strength, other than my body weight - which is a significant weight enough to push up hill.
I tried to think about one thing - I never really get a "sweat on" during my Sunday rides, so I tried to treat it like it was two back to back RPMs - (just 2 sessions to get through without being able to get off the bike) that also helped with the toliet stop thing - plus I made a decision to drink less water than I usually do. But took a Powerade - afterall, that stuff helped the All Blacks win the World Cup ! (oh that's right the World Cup is over, and now people, remember there is an Election looming...)
So, the goal was two ten - and also not to require toilet stops! - which sounds real basic but was a concern for me. (I did manage the toilet stop thing by drinking less)
I started in about the middle of the pack. On the three hill climbs out of Martinborough, I was oscillating the lead with an old age pensioner - still it helped me get through them at a slightly faster pace than I normally do.
My strategy to pass heaps of people wasn't really a goer. In the end, I found one person, and I drafted off her a lot of the way - which after riding solo is quite cool. It wasn't deliberate - we changed places a few times but then she got the lead and was a bit ahead of me.
I key thing I learnt today is pychologically it is very important to keep within distance of at least one other rider. That is key. So even though you are in the slow pack - find similar riders.
I found the Millars Rd climb a bit of a killer. I usually do it the other way.
Hmm - then I had to ride home! - so another 30 km or so - Still I'm supposed to be doing that distance each Sunday - at least 80 km, and I only enrolled for the 48km of the MFR.
The fact that I'm not completely smashed now means I still need to try for a faster pace at certain points. I find that quite hard on the road.
I've just checked the my time on the website. My time was 2:14:12. I would have got less if my last gear change into Martinborough hadn't resulted in the chain coming off the deariler. It only took me a minute or so to get it back on - but that was a minute or so!
Here's the link:
http://tiktok.biz/martinboroughfunride/2011/0071/
Room for improvment :-\
I actually think this is roughly the time I did last time! - still, I'm 8 or so years older - and last time I couldn't walk afterwards when I went up to collect my spot prize of a bottle of wine!
I don't really like the crowds - the race culture etc. This aspect of it may or may not grow on me.
I don't feel estatic at my time - I guess becasue I didn't hit the 2:10 (although given I wasn't earing a watch...quite close). My main concern is know I can still ride smarter and faster. The other reason is I guess it brings home there is some competiveness in my blood, even though I don't think there is, and I don't like being in the lower percentage overall. I especially don't like being beaten by a rider who lights up a cigarette after the race. Strange how I have zero tolerance for smoking but not drinking. I can't explain that logic.
On the plus side, its about right here right now: This time last year I couldn't have attempted the ride. Next year, I'd like to aim for the 115k. But I can't get distracted by the last years, and next years. The time reflects where I am today. Sometimes its necessary to measure that. That's a good thing - facing what today's reality is in terms of my health and fitness. That's what I currently need to do, and then work on improving today's reality:-)
It feels good to have completed. It makes me slightly nervous re Taupo still. But I know I can "endure" 7-8 hours. And it will just have to be inch by inch. Kilometre by kilometre. My aim is for completion, and the achivement of a goal set "achieved".
That was today: four weeks to go!
No comments:
Post a Comment