Stage 3: Skyliners TT

Stage 3: Skyliners Individual Time Trial, Distance: 22.5K. 

It started at Summit High School.  Up, then a right turn, and then the climb begins.  The course basically goes up and up (with a couple of rollers).  Climbs about 1000 feet in 6 miles, goes down for about 1, and then you turn around.  Come up.  Then sail like the wind down a fast left turn back to the HS and you are done.  Or something like that.

A time trial is an individual effort.  You against the clock.  There is nothing out there to stop you, or hinder you.  It is up to you.  Now, cycling is a team sport.  Some people don’t realize how much each GC rider is supported by there team.  That is another topic for another day.  A time trial is your one chance as an individual to race against a course.  Whatever the course throws at you, you have to be ready. 

I have been fortunate enough to work with John Novitsky on my time trials in the last 3 weeks.  He has been the brains behind the operation.  Amazing guy, and strong (2x National TT Champion) cyclist.  It was good because he helped me prepare for this time trial.  My normal routine would be to attack the course and go as hard as I can and then when I get tired, I struggle and muscle and weave my way to the finish line.  Although this hasn’t provided incredibly bad results, it definitely hasn’t taken me where I should be.  I am on a mission to figure out how far I can take this.

Looking back on the TT today, I would like to indulge you with all of my impressive preparation (taping magnets onto a disc wheel), and my mental readiness.  All the funny quirks and weird ideas that came into my head along the way.  However, I am taking a glance at that TT, and considering it one big step towards big dreams and goals.  Thank you for believing in me along the way.

My warm-up began with a little Lady Gaga (of course), and I was feeling calm, cool, and collected.  In the morning, I am not going to lie, I had a feeling of trepidation coming towards the TT.  IT is almost like when you know you are about to get in trouble.  Yow know that there is an incredible amount of pain in your forecast.  At exactly 12:21:30, I started the TT.  Bam.  Finished.  Felt good.  Still had some rockets in the cylinders.  Bam.

Went to go to a cool-down, and new my time was 38-something…close to 39 minutes.  Was told I got 2nd.  Podium.  NRC race.  Big Deal.  2nd in the TT.  Wow.  Moved me up to 6th in the GC.  Let me tell you though, Team TIBCO is the strongest team in the nation.  In the TT, we got 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th.  Wow.  That is a team of strong women.  That puts us at 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 9th, and 14th in GC.  Talk about domination.

Carson Blume took these awesome shots today…

I guess that sexy Look 596 is good for something, eh?  I love that bike, and those fast HED wheels.  On to a big day tomorrow, another mountain-top finish.   

I wish I could give you more, but I feel like this is a quest to figure out what I can do, and where I belong.  I get intimidated, and I get nervous to compete against these strong women.  But, I belong.  I can compete.  2nd at the Cascade TT, and Nationals next week.  I am going to contemplate this, soak it in, add a little bit of confidence, and then regain focus.     

No drama in a TT.  Just ride your bike.  Good stuff.

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