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Re: It IS all about the bike: CCS 2014

PostPosted: 23 Sep 2014 18:22
by CCS
End of season detox (some might argue that I should focus on living healthily during the season rather than after)... I am sooooo bored without coffee. Tea (of the herbal - or in fact any variety) just doesn't hit the spot in the same way. Not sure if the dull head/sinus ache I have at the moment is caffiene withdrawal, or just residual lurgy. Anyway, having a few days off... though weather forecast is good for tomorrow, and if conf call with clients finishes early enough, I may go and try the Octopus...

Re: It IS all about the bike: CCS 2014

PostPosted: 06 Oct 2014 10:02
by CCS
Well, that’s me done for the season. Time for a quick bit of reflection, and a bit of pondering about where I go next....

Looking back at the goals I set:
TT: Goal is for a 23 on a 10; as close to the hour as I can get on a 25; and to survive a 50!
Tri – Do some local stuff; sprint & oly only
(not very good at formal goal setting, am I…)

Hit those, with the exception of the 25 – and finally dealt with some long standing targets (sub 2:40 at Windsor; sub 24 for a 5km run)
Actually, it’s been an excellent season. Have got to grips much more with TT-ing – am now brave enough to clip in when asked to at the start rather than fumbling around nervously at 5 secs to go; getting a bit better at pacing and pushing myself (though still nowhere near good enough on that front); have actually won some prizes too! Running seems to have come on really well, which wasn’t planned – in fact, running has been largely ignored other than as something to slot in when there isn’t time for other forms of exercise – but I have been going much faster than I could ever have dreamed of!

For 2015, plans aren’t yet fully formed…. But look something like:
Sub-23 10
1:00:00 for a 25
National 10, 25, 50, 100(?); place in the top third of the field
SEWTTS series
BBAR certificate

The last 2 may conflict a bit, as a lot of the SEWTTS events are on sporting courses, and I guess I need to target some fast events, and perish the thought, perhaps actually travel a bit to hit some decent times for BBAR. However, the SEWTTS series was great fun last year; had some most excellent prizes; and it was really nice to race with a great bunch of women, with decent numbers at every event to compete against, rather than the usual 4 or 5.

I definitely need to have a credit card blow out, and get a power meter (and then work out how to use it) – luckily, I work with one of the guys from Golden Cheetah (that’s him on a lot of their tutorial videos), who seems to be a font of useful cycling information (and can usually be relied on for a bit of work avoidance / chat / advice).

I seem to have entered the Surrey Half Marathon in March. There is still the unfinished business of a sub 2 hour half to be dealt with, but I am rather questioning the wisdom of this… I don’t think it really ties in too well with my plans for TT domination (though at least it would be out of the way early in the season) – so still need to decide whether I bail out, and focus more on the bike, or whether I try and put this whole half marathon business to bed for once and for all.

On the triathlon front, I am still undecided. I really enjoy the races, and part of me feels it would be a shame not to do some – perhaps just local sprints for a bit of fun… though half of me also does wonder about having a stab at a sprint qualifier at Dorney lake in the spring. What does slightly put me off is the (still somewhat unexplained) phenomenum of the terrible nausea that the very idea of doing a triathlon seems to bring on… just not sure if it is worth all the stress and vomiting?
The other issue at the back of my mind is whether to get where I want to be on the bike, I really need to focus just on that, and put what limited time I have available into cycling. There is definitely going to be a lot of time spent in the man shed with my turbo over the winter… an already lining up the DVD boxed sets to keep me entertained.

Other plans – be more healthy – less wine & caffeine – and try and keep away from sugar (have been having a few lapses recently) – as I definitely feel much better when I manage to achieve these things – though may end up strangling my children without the calming effects of wine?

Anyway, it’s been a great year! It is always interesting for me to look back over my log – the main thing I notice this year is that my mood has been much more consistent – I seem to have managed to move away from the random cycle of euphoria / deep despondency that used to trouble me a few years ago. Perhaps it’s a case of success breeding success – who knows?

Re: It IS all about the bike: CCS 2014

PostPosted: 06 Oct 2014 10:20
by IanM
An excellent year, and a foundation for bigger things next year! Looking forward to seeing what you do :)

Re: It IS all about the bike: CCS 2014

PostPosted: 06 Oct 2014 10:36
by Jack Hughes
CCS wrote:For 2015, plans aren’t yet fully formed…. But look something like:
Sub-23 10


You'd do this easily on a fast course. Probably the F11 tring course, or the E whatever. And of course, the V718. I did 23:11 on there, in a tired and distressed state. You are a good minute faster than me in a 10.

1:00:00 for a 25

Again, pick the right course and you will do it.

National 10, 25, 50, 100(?); place in the top third of the field
SEWTTS series

Harder! Have you checked the dates/locations of the events for 2015?

I think it is:

14/06/2015 - 50 Liverpool DIstrict
5/07/2015 - 100 South Wales District
01/08/2015 - 25 London East District
29/08/2015 - 10 West District

So might need some juggling with school holidays/family holiday :D


BBAR certificate


Very doable :D


So it really depends on picking the right courses, on the right days (last is a bit tricky). Put as the fast events tend to have the 20% rule, you should get in OK.

Or, a lot of hard intervals to get the power up. And a power meter to help measure it. And a strategy for getting more aero.

Re: It IS all about the bike: CCS 2014

PostPosted: 06 Nov 2014 20:07
by CCS
I have seen the future......
.... and it isn't quite what I expected (certainly in the longer term)....

Enlightening day at Bridgtown!

Now, does anyone want to buy a kidney, or even a child (one still small enough to be put to work up a chimney; one long and lanky....)?

Re: It IS all about the bike: CCS 2014

PostPosted: 06 Nov 2014 20:11
by CCS
P.S. In other news, I would appear to be at my lowest weight ever since I discovered gin in 1986... though suspect that is largely down to a day fuelled by coffee, one krispy kreme donut and a few bits of chewing gum. Soooo hungry now that I am on the wine while dinner cooks.... can't be healthy!

Re: It IS all about the bike: CCS 2014

PostPosted: 06 Nov 2014 20:12
by Tritans
I could be tempted by a Liver.


Just not yours.

Spill the beans. (So to speak[TRADE MARK SIGN]kevy)


Penned in the finest quill from The Royal County.

Re: It IS all about the bike: CCS 2014

PostPosted: 06 Nov 2014 20:43
by CCS
Tritans wrote:I could be tempted by a Liver.


Just not yours.

I'll have you know it is a very well exercised liver!

Re: It IS all about the bike: CCS 2014

PostPosted: 06 Nov 2014 20:47
by Jack Hughes
New bike AND a power meter?

Re: It IS all about the bike: CCS 2014

PostPosted: 06 Nov 2014 20:51
by CCS
I think if you substitute THEN rather than AND (short of a mega lottery win), you may be close to the mark.
However, the last new bike I bought cost £475, and the direction things need to go long term would be somewhat in another league....
Shorter term, some structured training might be on the cards...