Time trials

googlehead

did my first 10mile time trial recently just over 30mins, although there was a headwind in parts. I did'nt think I did too well and I did'nt enjoy it at all.Any ideas on how to improve my times, I have lost nearly 1.5 stone recently would that make me go slower on the flat? also I have a cheap Giant Scr bike would that make a difference?

showry

I don't think anyone enjoys time trials. It's all about suffering.
Put your hands on the drops, throw your tongue over your shoulder and give it everything.
TBH I wouldn't have thought the weight loss would slow you down and a Giant SCR should be grand unless you want to shell out the bucks for a proper TT bike. Training (unfortunately).

Lumen

The only time that matters is the next one.

Apparently the important things for TTs are comfort, power, and aerodynamics, in that order. The actual bike is irrelevant except in terms of how it allows you to get those things right.

Why didn't you enjoy it?

googlehead

Lumen wrote: »

The only time that matters is the next one.

Apparently the important things for TTs are comfort, power, and aerodynamics, in that order. The actual bike is irrelevant except in terms of how it allows you to get those things right.

Why didn't you enjoy it?

mmmh let me think

The pain in my legs, unable to catch my breath and being passed out by 2
people:(

I think it was seriously one of the hardest things I have ever done sports wise.

googlehead

showry wrote: »

I don't think anyone enjoys time trials. It's all about suffering.
Put your hands on the drops, throw your tongue over your shoulder and give it everything.
TBH I wouldn't have thought the weight loss would slow you down and a Giant SCR should be grand unless you want to shell out the bucks for a proper TT bike. Training (unfortunately).

so to sum it up you are saying i'm crap:D

blorg

googlehead wrote: »

I think it was seriously one of the hardest things I have ever done sports wise.

That is how it is meant to feel, so you are doing something right! I have just started doing these myself and already have seen a big improvement, I think mainly down to pacing.

Basically I followed the advice here which is to take it easier to start with:

http://www.trainingbible.com/joesblog/2009/05/time-trial-pacing.html
http://www.flammerouge.je/content/3_factsheets/constant/ttstrat.htm

Apart from that I think practice, hopefully we will be running another Boards 25 soon... I do think aero bars are a big help as far as technical equipment goes.

Lumen

googlehead wrote: »

The pain in my legs, unable to catch my breath and being passed out by 2
people:(

I think it was seriously one of the hardest things I have ever done sports wise.

Provided that the pain was just "burny discomfort" that's normal, just lactic acid build up.

The point of a TT is for it to be as hard as possible. It's a painfest. There's some severely off-topic discussion of this stuff on the "credit card" thread today.

If the order is done properly (which requires that people are accurate with their target times) you're likely to get overtaken since the faster riders will be behind you. However, you're also supposed to overtake a few yourself.

It is possible that you went too hard at the start, but you'd probably need a HR monitor to analyse this properly.

Lumen

blorg wrote: »

I do think aero bars are a big help as far as technical equipment goes.

I wasn't sold on the idea before I bought some, but now I think they are great. Aside from the speed benefits, with properly fitted aerobars you will be more comfortable going harder since your upper body is better supported.

Or you could just do the same time but suffer less, but that would not really be in the spirit of things.

showry

googlehead wrote: »

so to sum it up you are saying i'm crap:D

Anything but!

That's a decent enough speed given a headwind, you're probably being too hard on yourself. Everybody hurts though.