Waiting at the airport to depart for New Zealand. It seems like this
has all come around very quickly. That is why in preparation for
performance it is critical to get on to things early. The time
disappears when the intensity and focus becomes consuming. I am
looking forward to giving this Time Trial thing a run. See what I can
find and transfer the training and testing into a result.
Time Trailing Training is all I can comment on at this stage. The actually competition side of things is something I am yet to experience. What I can say thus far is the mental challenge is huge. Pushing and staying on the limit both physically and mental is obviously key. Even the challenge of holding position on the bike requires constant attention. The duration of effort add to it with long periods of focusing on maintaining movement, aero position and effort is at times blood hard. It's a different World to maximal a effort for 2000m of a rowing race. The high intensity is not there and the sheer aggression is obviously less but I tell you the subtle pains, discomforts and energy drain is unbelievable. It is as if your being tortured, slowly having the screws turned and with each twist the searing heat builds bit by bit, moment by moment. Even in these efforts the phases of feeling completely finished only to find a minute later I was back on top and feeling strong again. So the intensity is less but this TT training has shown me a new World of sustained oppressive fatigue. I love it but it is taking it's toll and it is taking time for me to adapt. So much so my body is transforming dramatically from rower to cyclist, slowly. 
Here I am on rollers and you should have seen me starting up. So close to coming off a few times. This was my third time on them and we were doing this for 15min prior to 2 x 30min on the track at threshold. Even here I was sitting on heart rate 165-170 as Jono had me doing 420w just to get my little legs warmed up. I guess you could say I was well and truly warm by the time I hit the track.
Here we are, Jono sorting out the speed sensor on the SRM system. The Malvern Star bike has been converted from road to TT set up. This was just before we began the two 30min efforts, which I can tell you are not easy. Haven't got the data back on the session yet but I can tell you the first effort was pretty intense. Heart rate was around 170+ for the 30min with target power of 420+. Unfortunately I struggled during the session with the target which we discussed and felt residual fatigue and the fact it was very windy. Each lap would involve speeds ranging from 49 - 42 km/h with power fluctuation of 100w. Trying to be consistent was tough and the drain of being hit by the wind every 30sec was a challenge. I have some video of the session to upload at some stage to.
A few thanks you's I have to make are to the Team at Pac-Brands with getting me the bike. Jon Hall & Raoul Luescher for all their hard work, bit's a pieces of bike parts to turn the Malvern Star Oppy into a TT bike, and the their guidance with the set up of the bike and training has been amazing. Not to forget all the great conversations about performance. Even having Jono ride with me and really help with my learning as to have to improve my riding. Chris from Champion Systems for a speedy turn around with getting me an aero suit which by the way my wife thinks looks rude. My wife ain't to happy with how skinny I have become and she thinks the suit makes me look even skinnier. I prefer to think of it as looking fast, lean and hungry even. There has been a number of other people who have helped making this all possible and into I will continue to show my gratitude.
The learning has been huge and the curve steep. I have a long way to go but I am committed to pushing myself as far as I can. Having great people to work with means that I am going in the right direction so energy and effort is not wasted. Oceania Champs is less than a week away now and it will be my first chance to perform which is exciting. What ever the outcome it will be step along this journey and one which I will make sure I build on.
Sprinting is certainly not my strength 
After race with my son Jasper
After race with my family
This is a short video of last weeks session on the TT bike.
It involved 4 x 20min at Lactate Threshold which is about 400 watts. It's tough being in the position on the bike and yet the rhythmical feeling is something that is very cool to experience. It's like a pulsing oscillation balancing between awkward and graceful. I can appreciate that at this stage I am more the awkward end of the scale. But even at this stage I have moments when it feels really nice, just slipping through the air. The other balance going on is driving and pushing vs dynamic spinning. It's another one I am at the rougher end of the scale with also, but learning.
I actually feel a fair bit like Happy Gilmore when he is learning to play golf. Producing power like Happy being able to drive the ball long doesn't seem to be an issue. Being efficient and sustainable is required to play great golf and to ride well. Hear me I sound like I know what I am talking about. I have some great people around me assisting with this little project and the message is coming through loud and fast.
Getting into rhythm is so similar to rowing. I guess pacing in both sports is critical and the TT position challenges this initially, but as I am getting used to it I feel like I am getting stronger. It is almost meditative which is something I have experienced on the water when the effort, the rhythm of the movement and the sensations internal and external come to life so vividly. Blocking it out can be stressful, so going with all the sensations, information and that feeling of flow is amazing.
I am very much the learner on the TT bike but really enjoying the sessions and with the guidance of one of the VIS coaches Jono Hall I feel I am making some good progress. This is the video from last week and each session we are making adjustments and refining things to enable me to perform. Also adding in new bits of equipment. Yesterday we tried slightly different bar and tri spoke wheel.
Next week I will have ago on a rear disc and use the aero helmet. Everything is measured and on a session like this one video really helps me get an idea of what, Jono and Raoul Leuscher are talking about with many of the changes and adjustments. Why are we doing all this? Well the rough plan at this stage is to go to Oceania Champs in New Zealand early next month and compete in the Time Trial. From there we will create a number of opportunities to do TT and some pursuit work on the track. All great stuff and so we will see what is possible with a few key events.
Wade Wallace has his cycling tips site which has become one of the great blogs on cycling. I meet him for the first time during the race and we had a few brief chats. I love the post he has made about the race so thought it worth linking to for anyone interested in having a read about his experiences with the Warny.
Cycling Tips: There goes the Warny
