May 31st, had been my next planned triathlon. I had tried to race this on the previous two times it has been held, but always unsuccessful, due to work commitments.
This time, I was home. So, I looked forward to the race.
My training was feeling a little stale, yet I was really looking forward to the rce, as I felt I could pull a good performance out of the bag.
As the race day approached I was getting very excited. I had pre rode the course a few times, and was confident in my ride. My running had started to show signs of improvement, so that was looking good.
I'd dropped 5 kgs recently, and was so happy with that. not wanting to ruin the weight loss, I had meticulously planned my pre race nutrition, covering the previous days as well.
I had decided to drive over in 'Alfie', my '66 VW split screen camper, so as to not have to file with getting two bikes in the back of my Audi.
We took advantage of the local race and registered the evening before, which left us with just a need to turn up and rack bikes...
Race day arrived and was up like a scalded cat!
Downstairs, breakfast cooked and busily putting bikes and kit in Alfie.
My partner was also racing, and I loaded her kit, too, whilst hurrying her along.
The weather was awful! Raining, heavily at times, but no matter, we start the triathlon wet, so, how bad can it get?...
We rocked up at the local school car park, as per race directions, and started to unload the van.
As I was doing this, I noticed another competitor leaving the car park, pushing his bike, laden with kit...
Suddenly, it dawned on me, I could see, in my minds eye, my helmet (and spare) under the stairs, back at the house! I couldn't believe it... Mr. OCD, who carries two of everything, had left his sodding helmets at home.
I was gutted, and so quietly annoyed at myself.
A quick calculation showed that it was just too late to have a word with the organiser, then drive home quickly and get my lid. Besides which, I was in a '66 camper, which, although it has a big, powerful engine, is not meant to be slung around on wet roads.
I reasoned with the possibility that I could take all my kit down to the transition area (about 500m away) and someone kind soul would probably have a spare lid I could borrow.
But, to be perfectly honest, this failing had just kicked all of the previously felt energy and excitement right out of me. So, I elected to just stay on the sidelines and support my partner and the rest of the competitors.
Striking the previous week off, as a waste, because I had actually done a small taper, and had created more than trained, I had to quickly shake off the negativity of the race 'balls up' and move on...
The following weekend (6th June) I was down to race the inaugural Tour of Cambridge 28km Chrono (TT), a UCI WT event, on closed roads around Peterborough.
It wasn't a planned part of my calendar, so we (coach and I) decided to just do it as part of a normal training week.
I'd had quite a tough week, and could feel fatigue in my calf's, even as we drove to the race.
There had been so much speculation about the OTT micro management of the race registration, that I had almost aborted the race, in order to do a more applicable training ride, but made a last minute decision to go.
The weather was good, a beautiful, Sunny day, but quite a blustery wind.
On arrival, it was a huge relief to find that the event organisers had got everything covered, and as opposed to being OTT, their control of the entire day was just about spot on.
Again, I had taken care of my nutrition, pre making everything at home, rather than rely on burgers and Bacon sarnies, or some such shite.
I got parked up, and went off and registered. In the Expo area, I found a good coffee stall and took advantage of that. Back at the van, I put the bike together and got changed into my kit. Yes, I had packed the helmet ;)
I ate one of my pre race snacks and then made my way to the designated timing chip area. Once there, we were all warned that we couldn't leave after the chip was fitted, so a final toilet stop was made. After the chip fitting, we were ushered through to an area full of turbo trainers. The technicians there fitted my bike into a turbo trainer and I commenced my warm up.
It was all very slick. Once the 20 minute warm up was complete, the technician alerted you, then removed your bike from the turbo's grip.
Next up, was the photo stop, standing with my bike. A bit cheesy, yes, but all part of the razzmatazz.
Finally, I moved to the 'Starting Ramp'. Filled with fear (like everyone else), that I didn't have an almighty crash as I came off the ramp, I slowly made my way forward, as those in front were started.
Arriving at the top of the ramp, I was astounded to be informed that I had 5 seconds, as the guy said 'Five', 'Four'...Christ I thought, I'm not even clipped in! Hurriedly got my cleat in to the other pedal, hit the start on the Garmin and the pusher offerer let me go.
Off I went, exiting the Arena.
I suddenly found myself grinning, inside, at the prospect of a TT race. Not done one for a couple of years and I was surprised at how I was feeling about it! Not sure if it was the Sunshine, or the prospect of racing on closed roads...
Out on the road it was in to a tough wind, but I quickly decided to just grin and bear it, as I knew that the return would be a flyer, and it didn't disappoint.
That was the best TT experience I have had, and I will definitely aim to do it again, next year.
I was a bit unsure of pacing a TT, especially as it was an unusual distance, but it all panned out quite well. With hindsight, I could have gone out a little harder, as there was a bit left in tank which I desperately tried to empty on the approach to the PAS, but it was better than dying a sorry death, halfway round the course!
My time was 45:53:32.
I found it a novelty, that we had hot showers at our disposal after the race.
It was also a great opportunity to catch up with some of our teams newer members, that I hadn't seen before.
We relaxed for a while, and walked around the various stalls, had another coffee, then headed off, home.
The next day, I had a tough running session to complete, and although I thought it was a bit much, I did it, and also ran my fastest time so far, over that route!
A four hour ride the next day, saw a power PB for the session, so it would appear that the TT has sparked my mojo and given me a much needed renewed motivation.
I'm even thinking of a few more TT's, but not sure that the old tea and a cake in a Village Hall will keep my interest...
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