Dave Acheson
The first Sunday of June found me in Tenino again for this year’s Washington State Time Trial Championships. It was held on my favorite course and one I had ridden many times before with my most recent foray being four weeks earlier. I was hoping for improvement over that recent time, but was realistic in my expectations for the day as my season has been hampered by a lack of training volume caused by that pesky thing called “life”.
Conditions were pretty good, although a little windy. When riding a long time trial, this one was 40 kilometers (24.5 miles), pacing is always critical. Go out too fast and you’ll pay for it later in the race and struggle. Given the reality of my training and my form, I was faced with the choice of being conservative and easing into my pace over the first several miles, or ride the race as if I had good form and hope for the best. I chose the latter figuring if I went into it conservatively, I was surrendering any hope of a good result right away. I started strongly and settled into my rhythm quickly. After around five miles, I had already passed the two riders who had started in front of me (unfortunately, I had also been passed by the rider who started immediately behind me.) The race went very well for me and I must say it was the most focused and “in the moment” I have been at any race thus far this year. I managed to take about 40 seconds of my time of a month earlier and earn an 8th place finish in my group. I could not have gone any harder or ridden any better on that day and that is all you can ever ask for.
Karla Segale Warming Up...
...and Heading Out!
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