My Second Race

In an attempt to shake up the training for RAO in July I have joined OBRA and have participated in two races now. I wrote a little of the first in my last post, but the second race was more educational for me.

I rode in the Eugene-Roubaix on April 18, a road race over a 13 mile course with a couple interesting hills and a 1.5 KM section of gravel road right before the finish. I could have raced either the Masters race or the CAT 4/5 race.

I am able to race in the Masters category due to the fact that I am 43 in racing years and this qualifies me to race in the Masters (my lack of experience qualifies me to race with Category 5 riders and some Category 4 races). The Masters race was 52 miles long and started at 10:05 AM. The CAT 4/5 race (which I am also qualified to race in) was 39 miles long and started at 2:05 in the afternoon. I decided on racing in the Masters race because it would allow me to get home sooner and was a longer race. I didn't realize that almost all of the other racers were CAT 2's and 3's. Now that I know that I feel pretty good about my finish.

I did finish. I came in 17th out of 22 finishers (26 starters). I was the only CAT 5 racer in the field. I wanted to finish with the pack but I was dropped about 2 miles from the end and couldn't bridge back to the group. I held my own for 95% of the race but I lost the wheel of the back of the group and couldn't come back.

I felt a little depressed about my finish until I found out that I was the only CAT 5, and there were only two CAT 4's. I came in ahead of five CAT 2 and 3 racers and that made me smile a little.

My Heart Rate Monitor numbers really popped out at me. My MAX pulse was 197 bpm and my MAX Watts was just under 1000. I was pushing 38 mph at one point, over flat terrain (not downhill) and taking my turns at the front. My avg HR was 167 bpm. That was my CTS Field test Maximum HR.

Apparently I have a lot to learn about the proper way to ride in a pack as the other guys were yelling at me. One guy actually said a few things to help and I did better, but I got tired of being yelled at. The CAT 5s don't know enough themselves to yell. I also got a warning for crossing the centerline to pass a rider. That is a big no-no and I was almost DQ'ed.

What I learned was that I have made significant improvements, but I still need to improve my power, upper-heart rate endurance and my understanding of my limitations. The last item listed is the most important, I believe. If I can play to my strengths, improve my limiters and keep working hard enough to continue to improve, I should finish the Race Across Oregon, and that is my goal.

After the race I got lots of funny looks as I did about 25 minutes of recovery yoga next to my car. I really helped and I felt great the next day.

Namaste,

Jim