Well, I did it!! My first time trial at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and I loved it. I also finished
3rd overall female/23.8 mph average . Happy with that since it was windy.
3rd overall female/23.8 mph average . Happy with that since it was windy.
The first time trial of the season at Charlotte Motor Speedway rolled around during my third week back in full on swim/bike/run training. My body was having some issues getting adjusted back to doing all three disciplines and in week two, riding the Brushy's with Franci and Karen, wiped me out. That ride was on the heels of 9 tough training sessions and those climbs left me on my bum when I got home that afternoon. In previous years, I have always ridden with size 28 cassette, but now am riding a 25, so I noticed the difference on these climbs, but it still felt okay. The Brushy climbs are tough, but good. The first climb reminded me a lot of cycling the hills from Sivota to Perdika in Greece. Steady going up all the way, but nothing too intense. The second climb was a bit of a doozy! Not really much to compare it to as it's short but steep. Great stuff. Loved it and the company and can't wait to go back for more.
Me, Franci and Karen
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Made it to the top |
So, back to the TT. Forget nervous anticipation about the race. I had nervous anticipation just trying to get to the race. We hit Charlotte 5:00 traffic and anyone who knows Charlotte traffic, knows how bad that can be. It took us almost an hour and a half to drive 35 miles. Yikes! Ok, so we get to Charlotte Motor Speedway approximately 30 minutes before my race was to start. I had to get checked in and ready to go. My plan leading up to the race was to do a steady warm up on the trainer to get my legs fired up to go. When I get there, everyone else was pounding away on their trainer's and getting ready to race. What was I doing? I was being a mommy. Full on! Chasing Abby, changing Abby, making sure Abby had her snacks, juice, jacket, diapers, etc etc. Oh sure, Rich was there to help, but I was in fully mommy mode until about 10 minutes from my start. Forget a warm up, which is a huge mistake in time trialing. I already knew that, but sometimes we mommies don't always get to do it exactly how we need to do it. We just suck it up in racing and get it done. So, 10 minutes before the start of my race, I hopped on the bike already sweaty and exhausted from mommy work. I rode to the track and managed to warm up my legs for only a few minutes before lining up to start.
I wasn't really nervous, I was pumped. I know how I've been feeling in my bike training and am gaining confidence and steadily increasing my power, so even though it was my first TT, I knew that I would OK. Unfortunately, I do not have a power meter on my bike. We only have a power meter on the trainer. I don't have anything special on my bike, not even a Garmin 910. I just had my legs and my lungs. Rich told me to just try and dial in a certain speed and hold on to that. Not so easy.
The countdown began, 5,4,3,2,1....GO! I was off.
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Go time |
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I'm the Gazelle and the lion is TFM |
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FINISHED! WHEW! |
Now that I am back into my tri training, when I go into these TT's, it's on a 9 session block of training and I'm not really rested at all. All I can do is always try my hardest and give it my best. I am already getting pumped for the next TT which is 3 weeks away. The Charlotte Motor Speedway is an amazing venue and it's really awesome that they have this event there. If you get the chance and are local, I highly recommend it!
This race was done w/ Matthew Bailey on my mind! |
Gotta roll...the tot is calling. Happy racing & training all!
Cheers~
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