Three Bears TT #2 Race Reports

Jimmy Davis

I was really looking forward to this particular race because I had made some changes from the previous race which was on the same course. I wanted to see if I was able to produce a better product this time. When I arrived at the race I was glad to see Ken was already there and Gary arrived just ahead of me. It was not long before a JJ arrived and we started getting our bicycles and gear ready. On this race I wanted to make sure that I got a proper warm up at least 20 minutes on the spinner. As the time got closer I started to warm up and I felt pretty good, raising my heart rate several times on the spinning machine as I got ready to go. Soon Gary, Ken and JJ we're off to the race and when my time came I got ready to go and I had to adjust my helmet because I had tried to find a way to listen to music. While I was adjusting my helmet I heard the race director call my name and I thought "Oh no, did I miss my start time?" Yes I did! As I came up to the line the race directors told me you're going to pull up to the line... as soon as you get to the line then you can then take off;  I took off probably 30 seconds late.

My heart rate was beating out of my chest as I had a lot of nervous energy from being late to the start line. Soon I noticed that I was catching the guy in front of me, then I caught another then another and I started thinking to myself that I needed to go ahead and calm down and get into my rhythm. There seemed to be a crosshead wind on the way out, I kept looking down at my power meter, my mph and my heart rate and I could see that I was not at the place that I wanted to be. However, I just tried to maintain my power until I got to the turn around. On the way back it seemed like the headwind wasn't as much of a tail wind as I was expecting after turning around. So, I decided to try to just maintain my power and my rpm as best as I could on the way back.  When the race was over me and my teammates sat and talked for quite a while about the race then we went to go see the results if they were posted. When we looked at the posted result it turns out that I had taken first place. I was very happy because now I'm the Arizona time trial points leader in Cat 5 and no one can catch me now as there is only one more race that counts towards the points. I'm very happy! Now I plan on moving up to Cat 4 after the state time trial championships in September. All in all it was a great time trials season.

Ken Huizenga

I enjoy the Time Trial series because it forces me to keep my training up in the hottest summer months.  I had done the 30K Three Bears in the past but I felt it was time to try doing both 20K segments this year.  With the heat of the summer, I found myself losing weight.  Along with the weight coming off my power numbers were slipping as well.  This was going to be some interesting data.  Was being lighter going to make me faster or were the lower power numbers going to keep everything the same?

I did the first TT back on Aug 2nd.  The way out I metered myself as not to blow up too early.  My plan was then to pour it on after the half way turn.  I had definitely totally emptied my tank and was hoping for at a minimum, for a third place finish.  I came in 4th with teammates Jimmy and JJ finishing ahead of me.  My power numbers freighted me, only 226 watts. This is down from 245 earlier in the year.  UGH!
With some advice from Coach Buzz I set out to change a few bad training habits and worked a bit harder and smarter.  I had about three weeks to improve before repeating everything in TT #2.  I did harder intervals and more Power focused workouts.  After two hard weeks of training as well as the added work stress, I was exhausted.  I spent the week before doing a lot of spinning and doing leg openers sessions to keep myself rested and loose.

TT #2 now arrived.  I felt strong and ready.  This time I was pushing it the whole way.  I saw power numbers in the 250-260 range the whole way out.  I was stoked!  At the turn around I took two deep breaths and settled into my aero position as tight as I could.  In the past this meant a tailwind and high speeds.  Today there was more of a crosswind, and this proved more difficult than I expected.  Still I pedaled with everything I could muster.  At the 1K to go make I looked down at my time hoping to see about 31 minutes elapsed.  I saw 32:30.  I probably should not have looked.  I was spent and now was mentally beat.  I finished the last 500 meters but I’m sure I had let off a bit.  Good news was that I had improved. My wattage increased by 10, I had cut off 30 seconds and finally had an average speed of over 22mph on a flat TT course.  All bests for me.  The not as good news was that  I was still 4th and even after working hard, I now know the discipline this is going to take to win at this level.  I sure have a long way to go.  This was a great learning experience.  Thanks to my IC3 Teammates Jimmy, Gary and JJ.  You guy’s rocked it!  Also thanks to Coach Buzz for your candor and advice.

JJ Schmidt

After being so close to 2nd on the last one, I was determined to be at least 4 sec. faster.  I got my aero helmet on Friday and figured that was good for at least 4 sec.  Once again I was looking forward to racing with Gary, Jimmy and Ken.  Jimmy sent a link about pacing with power, and since I now have a power meter I thought I would give it a try.  I got there on time and was glad to see that the others were already there.  I got ready and headed out to warm up.  When I went to the starting line Ken must have just left and Gary was about to go.  There were two riders between Gary and me.  Jimmy was quite a few behind me so I wasn't expecting too see him yet. I started out hard and passed the rider in front of me before the first 1K, I passed a second rider before the 5k mark.  I kept an eye on my power and tried to concentrate on keeping my head down and not being all over the road.  I was determine to take the turn better this time.  I came in faster this time, but clearly I need more practice turning around.  After turning the corner I must have been a little off balance because when I stood up my back tire lifted up.  Luckily I recovered and tried to keep my pace steady till the last 1K when I gave it all I had.  For the first time nobody passed me ( luckily Jimmy started out way behind me and Gary and Ken were in front of me).  I managed to shave 45 seconds off my previous time and grabbed second place.  It was a good day for IC3 and I'm proud to be part of the team!