Durango Wheel Club Champs: The crit, Sep 9th, 2012
I think some common traits among racers are the drive of never settling-for-average results, always optimizing and loving the
challenge along the way…
With that said, I categorize myself as an above average
cyclist and triathlete. But living in Durango, you quickly realize that ‘above-average’
is not easy, and I love being a Durango-middle-of-the-pack athlete with the
Durango measuring stick to always compare and improve upon. Being around people who push me mentally and
physically is how I have learned to grow.
Thank you Durango culture for satisfying this drive as it brings me
enjoyment.
With that said, you can be
assured that I didn’t podium in today’s crit, haha.
Today’s crit was the fielded
by 32 riders ranging from all cats, 1-4. I wasn’t too concerned about the
logistically challenges that may ensue (grouping cat 1 with the cat 4s is going
to have lapping issues etc.) However, I thought what a great opportunity to
push myself behind my limits and grow…
I started in the third
row, and the race began. The beginning
pace was amazingly fast as all crits are, and due to the course being short
with 6 corners, the field would spread out fast and into a single long line. I
knew that it would be important to keep up to the top and try to draft as soon
as possible.
Two groups quickly formed,
the first group a solid 15 riders and I ended up pulling the second group
consisting of the rest of the field for roughly 10 minutes. My heart rate was
above threshold and couldn’t hold this pace for another 30 minutes. I realized
that I was spending too much energy leading the 2nd group and needed
help bridging the gap to the lead group. My mistake, I didn’t try to organize
others to work with me, they were just being smart and letting me pull until I popped.
In retro spec, I should have been drafting within the second group…
Above is a power distribution from Strava for the 40 minutes.
I eventually slowed and
the riders behind me started to work the second group but I was already feeling
as if I popped. I was able to draft for another 15 minutes working with various
folks but my inevitable doom was approaching. Working above threshold for 30
minutes was all I had…
My average Heart Rate for
the 40 minutes was 164, and I feel this is just above my threshold. The average
power (without my power tap, but Strava calculated) was 295 watts. Regardless, I felt as if I
got hammered and the old saying goes: “That does not kill you, makes you
stronger”.
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| Heart Rate over time. Each peak of the green line is a lap, (click to enlarge) |
Next race, the Mountain Bike Time Trial Tuesday night.
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