Stepping up!!

The move into "A" grade has been a learning experience for me. The step up from "B" grade means that pure strength and fitness is not only what you need, but some race tactics and patience.

The first thing that I have noticed in the 3 races to date is that the average speed is a lot higher. Now I found "B" Grade to average around the 38 - 39 kph for the duration, usually 50 - 55 min. In "A" Grade the average speed has jumped to between 42 - 43kph for the duration 1 hr - 1hr 5 min.

This might not seem like a lot by these numbers, however when you throw in an extra 4-5 km for the race, it does make a difference. The other thing that I have found is the attacks are more frequent, go for longer and HURT a whole lot more. This means that the recovery is shorter and the heart rate is high for a lot of the race (see links below).

Now for the 3 races; The first race for me was pleasing, getting around, however got stitched up a beauty!!! I am not one to roll around in the bunch, so I thought that I would do some work and help chase a few breakaways. First mistake!!! A big attack happened after I did a solid turn and BANG, legs went. Rookie error. So from there I managed to get around with the bunch until the end.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Crit Race "A" Grade

The second race was a lot better for me with sitting comfotable in the bunch, doing the occasional stint at the front, however having enough in the legs to be in a few early breaks. This race was cancelled with 10min to go due to the rain coming in.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Crit Race "A" Grade - rain interrupted

The most recent race followed 5 days totalling just under 600km in the legs with 70km running, so was always going to be interesting. Goal was to just hang in there. An early break got away and I was determined to stay in the bunch and just get around as averaging 42+ kph would be enough effort for me this race without throwing in any more self imposed efforts as the bunch makes an effort every lap.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Crit "A" Grade - Crank Broke

So, 30mins into the race, I find myself 2nd wheel. Heading into the head wind, the left side of my bike seems to become very easy pedalling.....My crank snapped and was just hanging by my shoe....WTF?!?!? A sharp pain in my left ankle, and I realised that on breaking the crank, I smashed my left ankle into the bottom bracket.
OUCH!!

Now, I was happy with that, felt lucky really. Since I was sitting 2nd wheel and with 10-15 riders behind me, it could have been a whole lot worse. I was just lucky that it happened into the head wind, not in an attack as I am sure that I would have been eating bitumen for dinner and having bikes all over me. So I rolled casually back to the start finish. With every rider thanking me for not bringing the bunch down, I was more thankful myself that I stayed upright.

Where does this leave me? I have decided not to do Geelong 70.3 in fear of aggrevating my ankle any more, with New Zealand Ironman only 5 weeks away, I cannot afford any time off my ankle and race pace will do it no favours. I can still run on it, with a little pain, however is very managable. Ice and Voltaren are my friends currently.

Will this interfer with my training? No chance. This is not an excuse (too many people come up with them for poor performance), this will not change my performance, I will be 100% fit and recovered by New Zealand and in the best shape for a race. I know now that I am in better shape than 5 weeks out from Western Australia.

My goal is too qualify for Kona at New Zealand and no stone will be left unturned.

All the excuses will be left at the door when I go out for training every day.

For now...

X-Man