WPB TT Season Finale

I'm not sure what I'm more excited about, Pearl Jam on Satellite Radio or Time Trials? That's right, Pearl Jam has come to Satellite Radio and can be heard 24/7 on XM 39 or SIRIUS 17.

I was down south in West Palm Beach on Sunday and participated in the West Palm Beach Time Trial Season Finale - an out and back "flat as a pancake" 15k! It was so cold and windy I saw a squirrel burying a sterno on my warm up loop!

I had competed in this series once before in May. It's a different set of competitors due to geography and usually a solid turn out for my age group (Men 35 to 44).

I registered late which put me last to go, but allowed me time to "recon" the course for wind direction, road damage (also sand and debris) and navigate the fastest line. It really was pretty cold and the winds just made things worse. I decided to push it pretty hard on the warm up to break a sweat and get the blood flowing.

I was feeling strong once I got warmed up. I would essentially face a head wind on the way out and then cruise back with the aid of the wind gods! Once again, I needed to spin an easier gear as hard as I could without blowing myself up (meaning, having the power to finish the TT strong).

From the start I "dug in like an Alabama Tick" (that is a movie reference by the way) pedalling tight and aero! Gosh, the winds were brutual whistling non-stop between my ears and my helmet (TT helmets usually cover the ears versus traditional bike helmets). Once I reached the turn around point, the winds were at my back and I just "hammered" it home navigating my line from memory. The solid rear wheel makes a whooshing sound like no other wheel once you get it up to speed. I often try to sync the whooshing with my pedal stroke and breathing to take my mind away from the sufferfest!

My cruising speed on the way back reached 31 mph at times and fast enough to place 3rd for an average of 24.65 mph or total time of 22:41 - 2nd place was around 22:25 and it took a total time of 22:05 to get 1st. Got some hardware and then treated myself to some Starbucks!

This was the last race for me until January 2011. I'm going to chill for a few weeks then ramp up my training again. I have a few race goals yet to accomplish and I will be working with Coach Dara to map out my annual training plan.

Thank you for your support!