Time Trial Virgin

Last night I participated in my first ever time trial “race.”  Having never participated in a TT before, I was a bit nervous throughout the day, but received some great advice from a fellow blogger: Thanks for the tip, Erin 😉

The Iron Hippie went with me for moral support…thank you!!  When we arrived at the race site, I checked in, was given my race number and warmed up by riding the TT course to familiarize myself with the terrain, potholes (there weren’t many) and the winds.  As we headed south out of town, there was a very nice tailwind to start, but at the turn around point, that tailwind reared its ugly head and became a brutal headwind.  Because this was just a warm-up, I settled in without pushing the pace, kept my heart rate and power low and just spun the legs at a higher cadence.  With plenty of time before I would start racing, I was hopeful the winds would die down a bit.

After my warm up ride, I went back to the car, drank some fluids, went to the restroom and then went and lined up at the start.  I was #25 so I would be starting 12 minutes after the 6:30 pm start time.  As I waited in line, I had the following conversation with the guy in front of me (#24):

#24:  There aren’t many people here tonight.

Me:  Oh yeah?  This is my first time trial, so I wouldn’t know.

#24:  This is only my 2nd one, so I don’t really know what I’m talking about.

Me:  Well, you know more than me.

#24:  With a bike like that, you don’t race?

Me:  I race triathlon, but I decided to give the time trial a go.

#24:  Oh.  Are you doing the Hy Vee Triathlon?

Me:  No.  I have a larger race the following weekend.

#24:  What race are you doing?

Me:  Ironman Wisconsin

#24:  Oh my…you’re crazy!

Me:  Thanks!

#24:  Well, I’m sure you’re faster than me, so just don’t pass me until after the turn around. (said with a smile)

Me:  I don’t know about that.  Have a great race!

 

As I approached the start line, I was really nervous that the starter would drop me, but I had nothing to worry about!!

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…Here I go!!

I pedaled for all I was worth…I know Erin said to don’t start too hard, but that is harder for me to judge with the wind at my back, so I just went for it.  After all…GO BIG OR GO HOME 🙂

Here are some of my random thoughts throughout the ride:

• I love to ride my bicycle!
• I love the wind at my back!
• I’m going to catch #24!
• This is challenging!
• Singing to myself…”That’s the only way I know.  Don’t stop till everything’s gone.  Straight ahead, never turn ’round.  Don’t back up, don’t back down.  Full throttle, wide open.  You get tired and you don’t show it.  Dig a little deeper when you think you can’t dig no more.  That’s the only way I know.”
• I love to ride my bicycle!
• Oh…there’s that headwind.
• I’m going to catch #24!
• This is tough!
• Singing to myself…”That’s the only way I know.  Don’t stop till everything’s gone.  Straight ahead, never turn ’round.  Don’t back up, don’t back down.  Full throttle, wide open.  You get tired and you don’t show it.  Dig a little deeper when you think you can’t dig no more.  That’s the only way I know.”
• Oh buddy…you just got chicked!!  (as I passed #24)
• Kiss me harder wind!
• I love to ride my bicycle!
• Only one more mile!
• Singing to myself…”That’s the only way I know.  Don’t stop till everything’s gone.  Straight ahead, never turn ’round.  Don’t back up, don’t back down.  Full throttle, wide open.  You get tired and you don’t show it.  Dig a little deeper when you think you can’t dig no more.  That’s the only way I know.”
• Come on legs…don’t fail me now!
• I love to ride my bicycle!
• I’m going to come really close to achieving my secret time goal 🙂  (22 minutes)
• There’s the finish line!
• Go. Legs. GO!
• I love to ride my bicycle!
• WAHOO!!                   
• I love to ride my bicycle!
• I love to ride my bicycle!
• I love to ride my bicycle!

Overall Stats:

• Distance: 7.5 miles
• Official Time: 22:18.3
• Average Speed:  20.2 mph
• Normalized Power: 183 Watts (Zone 3)
• Challenge level:  Very Difficult
• Fun Factor:  A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.  Cha Ching!!

Have you ever tried something new and found out you truly love it?  If so, what was it?