2019 NM Spokettes Women's Bike Race (Time Trial) 6/30/19
In 2013, I participated in my first ever TT at the same course. It was under different name, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun TT, but found out the same lady organized. She is a Coach at women’s racing team, New Mexico Spokettes and I got to thank her for having such an event. Back then, I participated as special category of 5, First-Timer. I told her it was very encouraging to have such a special treatment and made it easy for me to jump into my very first race and after that, I participated in Duathlon many times after that. I was paying close attention to an event notice, but I didn’t see anything in 2014. Maybe I gave up on looking in 2015… she started under current name. Then September 2015 came around and my cancer diagnosis came. Luckily I noticed this year and paid USAC due and signed up!
I had about 4 weeks to train and Tony said I should do TT workout once a week. I planned that on trainer and TT aero position practice in quieter part of the neighborhood. I found 35 min. Sweet Spot Training sandwiched with warm up and cool down in shared workouts library, ERGdb. Once I run this on Zwift, I can change the FTP bias. First week, I did it in original SST intensity after my favorite race warm up. Gradually, I increased the intensity and in the end, I held FTP for 35 min. However my left shoulder (surgery side) started to hurt and X-ray at sports doctor showed I have possible bursitis that could lead up to rotator cuff tear. He gave me a cortisone shot, gave me meds, told me to ice and keep activity diary. He didn’t micromanage, but aero position was one of the things that must have aggravated, so I suspended aero position practice and decided to race without using aero bar. The day before the race, we stopped by Trek Store and I successfully picked up the bib. They had event socks, so I picked a pair in pink.
Because I did the same course in 2013, I opted not to do recon this time. From the highway, I was reminded how challenging the course it was. After all, this is New Mexico; we come here to train climbing! He volunteered to recon on my behalf and gave me his report while adding monthly mileage to the record. His college friend, Greg, came to cheer! It took a while to get magnetic trainer going, but my favorite warm up was done properly. I thought my start time was 8:38 with nervous mind, but it was 8:48. USAC officials were making sure all girls lined up in correct order.
Once it is a race, adrenaline kicks in and I tend to start too enthusiastically. However unlike 2013, I had power meter and I knew the limit of the power and heart rate number I can sustain. Every year, New Mexico’s altitude and dryness play on me, too. Each year, I really don’t know what to expect on hard efforts. Tony reported on tail win going in and tough head wind coming back. With the help of handler, I started safely and I watched my power number closely. The first half should be rather easy. One point in the false flat section, it really made sense to go aero position, but I just went down in the drops. I carefully turned around and BAM I felt the head wind. It was a major slow down and I recalled the face of a girl just before the turnaround. It was frustrating to be going so slow, but I am at the limit and even if I could go harder, it is really not a good idea at this time. At the big hill, I was going so slow and the top of the climb seems never coming! But a little before the top, maybe the wind, maybe the gradient made it a little easier. I was passed for the second time and now it was all down hill. But she was all professional and very fast and catching her is not happening. I think I finished strong. Technology is amazing and shortly after, the preliminary result was posted online! I was 7 out of 10 with official time of 33:25.88 in Masters 50-59 category.
I was not needed for podium ceremony, but Tony and Greg encouraged me to stay for raffle drawing. Sure enough, they heard my name and I won 6-pack of beer from local brewery.
I thank NM Spokettes to organize this event and Tony for his support and Greg to come cheer me on site. This year was just good enough to make me look forward to next year when my shoulder is better and I can use aero position. Tony says I can easily increase 2 mph on fast section. Will see. See you next year!
Garmin data
Strava data