Training Log Archive: BigWillyStyle

TT long. A really good race! Infinitely better than yesterday. Again very pleased with my placement, given that my fitness is not as good as most of the boys. I had no WOC ambitions coming into TT and only was hoping to be reasonably competitive.

There was a mixup at the start and I ended up starting just one minute ahead of Joe (was meant to be two minutes). When he had already caught me by 2, I was a bit appalled - especially when I tried to stay with him and got dropped hard on the way up the hill toward 5. I thought I was getting wrecked and it was going to be a very rough go, but it turned out he was just absolutely flying - i.e. I had the second-best split on 1, and he still caught 40s on me.

Saw Wyatt for a bit at 5, but after that was alone the whole course. I caught an unexpected brief glimpse of Joe up the trail ahead of me near 7, which was a big encouragement. I then hustled to try to make contact, which of course just meant that I screwed up 8. Luckily, however, I stumbled into one of the distinctive rock cairns and only lost a minute. 9 was also shaky; after that just tried to purposefully refocus on running cleanly and keeping a decent pace.

Most importantly, I won our car competition for the day. Michael won the first day, Eric the second, and myself the third, while Boris won mini-golf.

Blue TT - Splits

Blue TT - Splits

Event: 2021 Winter League Championships - Hamlin/Shorecrest
 

TT middle. This was a total debacle, clearly. I missed the first control, then completely blew up on 4 and 6, and later 11 - basically all the longish legs through flat, vague terrain. Executing this kind of leg well simply requires compass skills that are not ones I possess. Went to 8 twice trying to find 6, at which point Greg caught me and we were together for a bit; I was hoping he was having a good run and ratcheted back up my interest/effort/intensity level to do my part on the navigation for the next few controls - but it turned out he had blown 1. And then we both imploded at 11 anyway. Ugh. I did not enjoy this terrain, but that's only because I suck at it.

Middle Blue - Splits

Event: US WOC Team Trials
 

TT sprint. Ran a clean race and was really happy to finish third, though there was a big gap to AJ and Michael. The second and third controls were forest legs that were a bit funky and got some people, unfortunately.

Sprint Blue - Splits

Some chill training in Great Falls with Boris, Eric, and Kenny. Fun times, very pleasant terrain and lovely weather.