Tundra Results

What a difference a week makes. First, the time trial is canceled when the metro area is hit with 3 inches of snow that naturally turned to ice. The next weekend was sunny and made it up into the 60s. The race was on. Despite not always racing it, I really like Tundra. Middle of Feburary and going all out. Something a bit barbaric about it.

This year they changed the course location to a different section on the Comet and generously added nearly two miles to the distance. My strategy in the past seemed to serve me well...register late, race early and get out of there. There is no worse feeling than being late for a race and not adequately warming up...especially a time trial.

I made it to bfe west georgia around 7:30, picked up my number and set up the trainer. Props to Alex and Ben who already had the all3sports tent and a heater up and running. I had about an hour to kill so I was in no hurry to hope on the trainer. Instead, I just prepared my gear and chatted with the other races.

About 45 minutes out I moved toward getting ready. I noticed that my powertap computer didn't turn on properly. I assumed it was too cold so I took it out of the carriage and warmed it up. A few minutes later it turned on. I hopped on the trainer and went through a serious of easy spinning exercises with a few power surges to get the body nice and loose.

I didn't really have any expectations for this race. Since it was on a different part of the trail and slightly longer I wasn't sure how realistic my goal of 24 mph was. I was more interested in holding my power and hopefully getting a new FTP. Otherwise, my goal is to always hold off my 30 second man. Did I mention I was sandwiched between CAT II riders?

About 5 minutes before my start I roll up to the line and clear my cpu. And it doesn't turn back on. The screen is completely blank. Nothing. Nada. I keep fidgeting with it but nothing is working. Oh well, time to switch over to RPE. I head out of the gate at a good clip and keep trying to get the computer to turn on. For the first two miles I feel good. I am concerned that I am going too hard but I am focusing on maintaining constant effort through the slight inclines and declines of the course.

About 5 miles into the race, my cpu powers up. I look down and see that my cadence is good, my HR is good and well, my power is about 30 watts higher than where it should be. GULP. I immediately back off the pace and settle into my FTP. I realize that holding this power feels relatively easy. Crap. I knew I went out too hard. I hit the turn around and tried to refocus. Half way back I was taxed and knew it. I will still attacking the pace but my watts were beginning to slip. I was trying my best to hold onto the final match for the half mile mark and I hit it as hard as I could. I was ready to vomit.

Despite computer malfunctions it ended up being an alright race for me. I am really disappointed that the data is no good because I really wanted to see how well my FTP held up this off-season. I have a feeling that I might have a date with columns real soon.

Results:
31:05
12 miles
23.1 mph
12/72 CAT V Men