Sat 14/9: H25/8. Struggling to muster much enthusiasm in the morning - it was cold; I was really tired (even a bucket of coffee while the kids did judo failed to give me a kick start) - but off to Bentley in the rain - after all, I had a new skinsuit waiting to be road tested, and at least it wasn't windy this time. Warning up (with t shirt under skinsuit and jacket on top), I was actually too hot - had to sneak back to HQ to ditch the t shirt; then abandon the jacket at the start. Very glad that I had opted for a long sleeve skinsuit - though arms were feeling pretty cold and wet very quickly. Seeing as there was so much rain on my visor that I could hardly see (must get some of that spray stuff to clear it), this was very much raced on feel (though a brief glance at the clock as I passed the finish of the 10 course showed that I was pretty much on my 10 pace (usually about 30 secs off on a 25). Sure I committed a heinous breach of TT etiquette - coming back past the start on the second lap, someone started just before I came through. He seemed to be riding at a similar pace to me (but with fresh legs) - wasn't sure I had enough to get past. Backed off a bit, but on a bit of an incline, found I was catching him, so put my foot down and overtook. Then, after the turnaround, he came past me. Again, backed off a bit like a good girl, but again found myself catching him... debated what to do, but decided to pass (which I know, strictly speaking, I shouldn't)... later again, a rider two behind him, closely followed by this rider, came past me. Nearing the finish, I could feel a PB on the cards; started to catch him again, so decided to put my foot down and go for it. Straight past again - and it is the first time in a race that I have got what I describe as my 'QOM feeling' in my legs - a bit like when you put your foot on the accelerator in a really powerful sports car - felt like I was flying to the finish. Massive new PB of 1:03:40
http://www.strava.com/activities/82418691.
Back to HQ quickly for a change of clothes, as soggy and frozen. Quick cup of tea and flapjack (North Hampshire Road Club definitely do the best cakes - will be seeking out their events again next year).
Then off to Guildford for 3 hours of painting & decorating to try and get our rental property ready to let, before finally getting home. Just soooo tired - random stuff like a song on the radio had me in tears on the way home. Definitely time for a break now, so much as I am tempted to do Hever, I think that will be the end of the season for me - best to quit on a high note.
Now, time to put the TT bike to bed for the winter (well, OK, onto the turbo actually, seeing as the old turbo bike has inconsiderately moved abroad) - and anyway, it needs to loan a back wheel to Champ until I get his one fixed.
Also toying with the idea of heading up to Bridgtown for a follow up bike fit. Based on a few races on H25/8 in varying conditions, I definitely seem to do disproportionately badly in the wind, so think I need to get more aero, and also after more than 10 miles on the tri bars, my wrists go completely numb - perhaps need change to straighter bars, more like my clip on Profile T2s, which I have never had this issue with?
I now declare the 2013 season done - time to review this year, and start pondering next (and hopefully get some decent riding done in the hilly before the weather gets too grotty)
by Jack Hughes » 12 Sep 2013 15:09 
