Training & life is going really well.
2 weeks out from the race I had an outstanding edworthy hill climb training day of repeats.
Tickle in the throat prior to these repeats clearly telling me to back off the gas pedal today "the pre warning was in place"
Nope it's a tempo anaerobic day of dealing with buffering lactic acid!
Sick as hell the next day.. Damn it can't race crits the coming tuesday.
Tuesday comes & I am late leaving the showhome & of course having a bundle of ambition i'm okay with racing the A group.
Good idea?? for about 7 minutes absolutely. Those guys are strong. I was no doubt still sick but that doesn't lead me to believe that I could have lasted the entire crit with averages of 43km/hour with 46km-53km surges around corners. Anyhow long story short I got dropped. Not strong enough yet. I am determined to be a stronger rider & the A group is a big goal for me this year.
After the crits my immune system was shot again which threw me in the "sick" column again for the next week. 15km per day for my "training" 2 days out from race day was not ideal but necessary in order for me to feel completely recovered from this unshakable cold. I tried sinus-rinse, ginger, garlic, vitamin c, ginger ale, saltwater mouthwash, electrolyte mixtures, lots of water, rest & no bike!! still took a solid week. FML!
We had a large peloton for the cat 5 race maybe 50ish riders. The pace was quite slow for the first lap which I could tell the riders at the front were somewhat frustrated with but didn't want to create a break. I didn't have complete confidence in the race coming down to a sprint finish so I was trying to encourage a break. In order to do this I was convinced to launch very small attacks off the front & then let go of the gas pedal waitin for a slipstream from other riders. waiting... waiting. Back to the front 10 of the pack again frustrated no break has yet created. There was almost no wind during the race which didn't help my endeavour. Anyhow no breaks led to a very nervous group of riders leading into the last 7km of the race. A vicious crash took place where in my peripherals I could see bicycles flying where they shouldn't be & hearing carbon, skin & road all meeting eachother at the same time. It was awful to witness & you do feel bad for the riders & also grateful you didn't partake in the carnage. The finish was uphill & by this time my legs were pooched. I felt strong for 95% of the race but the very end both legs cramped up & I wasn't even able to get out of the saddle!! Top twenty?? possibly. anyhow the results aren't what matter here it is the fact I can still race when not 100%
My next scheduled race is the Jason Lapierre Speed theory race. If the schedule allows it the Tour de Bowness will be the next race in place coming in late July.
Until then it's completing my recovery, getting stronger, possibly giving crits another shot in A's before August & everything else that comes along with life.
Jevro
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