>Thursday night: Prime Coaching session #1 at Hillingdon. After two days racing I wanted a steady session, so turned up at 6pm for 90 minutes of work. Unfortunately I went a bit too hard towards the end of the ride and ended up completely wasted.
Friday: Still wasted. 10 miles at level 2 was an effort.
Saturday: Andover Wheelers CC 10m TT on the P613. I wouldn’t normally get into an event on this course, but it was a middle markers event – hurrah! I was hoping that I had some form left and I did okay – 24:53 is a season’s best and only 3 seconds off my PB LTS. As ever, I could have gone better.
Race stats: 10 miles in 24:53 (24.11mph). 50th out of 87 finishers. Slowest miles (4 and 6): 2:37 (22.93mph). Fastest mile (3): 2:14 (26.87mph). Top speed: 32.3mph. First 5 miles: 12:20, next 5 miles: 12:33. Max heart rate: 170bpm, average HR: 164bpm. Winner: Andy Laycock (Newbury RC) 22:10.
Sunday morning: West London Combine 25m TT on the HCC114. First 25 of the year and an opportunity to get a feel of the distance. The Great Missenden course is not a drag strip and it was a cold and breezy morning. I did not start well! However, as the miles rolled by I picked up the effort and, despite the disappointing time, was pleased with the ride. It was good to meet some more of the Willesden team as well.
Race stats: 25 miles in 1:8:28 (21.91mph). ? out of ? finishers. Slowest mile (2): 3:16 (18.37mph). Fastest mile (24): 2:11 (27.48mph). Top speed: 31.1mph. First 12.5 miles: 33:42, next 12.5 miles: 34:48. Max heart rate: 157bpm, average HR: 151bpm (note that depressed heart rate!). Winner: Meurig James (Willesden CC) 59:10.
Sunday late morning: Archer RC road races including three climbs of Whiteleaf Hill. Only kidding – I helped marshall a turn for these races later in the morning. It was good to see such great races on a beautiful day in the Chilterns.
There is a paucity of races around next weekend, so I’m hoping to pick up a mid-week circuit race, possibly a criterium on Saturday and/or a club event next Sunday.
Lance Woodman 