First a little background. The Dallas games shifted from the Texas Motor Speedway to White Rock Lake and changed their names to Golden Games. And, just like last week's State Finals, moved the time to September. It was unclear to me if this was still associated with the Senior Games. As a result, I didn't feel the need to drive to Dallas for a local event. But in conversation last week at Pace Bend, I found out that yes, they were still affiliated with Senior Games and, more importantly, there would be an induction ceremony into the Hall of Fame for my friend, mentor, and sometimes team-mate Dean Wilkinson. I certainly didn't want to miss this, so signed up to race the two time trials and road race.
Marilane was going with me but accepted a temporary job offer, so it was just me driving to Dallas on Wednesday. Has anyone driven up I-35 lately? Road construction through Waco is bonkers. I couldn't believe the number of trucks on the road, and everyone was doing the speed limit or above, no stragglers. Waxahachie was another stretch I didn't like. But I was safely into the hotel by 2:30 and changed and heading to White Rock Lake for a preview by 3:00.
I had a vague idea of where the start line was and rode 3.1 miles and turned around. I did this a few more times and threw in some accelerations to get the heart rate up and a little lactic acid build up for the legs. As it turned out, my estimation of the start line was incorrect by a couple hundred yards, but I generally had an idea of the course. It was mostly flat, but with enough undulations that I'd be constantly shifting gears for maximum output. True, only three gears, but in a race that is decided by seconds, you don't want to give them away.
Regular readers know my mantra of "under 65 degrees, cover the knees." The forecast for Thursday morning was 58° so I packed my tights. I had my wind jacket in the car, but at the last minute also packed my base layer (shirt with sleeves worn under the jersey, for those not familiar with the term). I intended to warm up in tights and wind breaker and discard them for the race. As it turned out, it was 56° with just a little wind at the hotel. Maybe a few degrees cooler at the lake. I started my warm up and about a quarter mile into it turned around and went back to the car to add the base layer. I really wasn't feeling it and the warm up was lackluster. Then came the news that the race timer, who also had the race numbers, had mentally put this race on Saturday (like it had always been) and so was a no-show and after a telephone call, the races would be an hour or so later than scheduled. So, I was just as happy I hadn't put a lot of work into warming up. And, speaking of warming up, the delay added 5-8 degrees to the temperature, so that made me happy. As it turned out, I still did the first race in tights and base layer.
The delay also helped my attitude. That and the fact that two of the fast guys, who I know are faster than me, although they signed up, they didn't come. So it was only two of us in my age group. Bob is faster than me in a road race but I usually beat him in the time trials. Unfortunately, he started thirty seconds behind me. My 10k is always better than the 5k, so I determined I wouldn't go all-out for this first race (5k). It took me two minutes to reach a HR of 142. That is about 88% of my maximum and something that I can hold for a long time. With a mile to go I ooched it up to 150 and finished strong. Bob couldn't tell if he made up the thirty seconds, so we had to wait for the results. He had not.
Due to the hour delay, it was determined the 10k would begin immediately following the 5k. I had about fifteen minutes or so. I went back to the car and removed the base layer and tights. I put on my Aggie shoe covers (at my speed they are only for looks and not really aero dynamic) and switched to my time trial helmet (which actually does help). Given my output for the 5k, I actually looked forward to doing the 10. Once again, it took two minutes go get my HR up to race speed. But this time it was a few beats higher on average. I could tell at the turn-around that Bob was losing ground. I held steady the whole way. Training Peaks gave me gold medals for 5 minute (150) and 10 minute (149) heart rate, which is easily 95% of maximum.
I had barely enough time to return to the car to switch bikes for the road race. I also switched out the Stages Power Meter crank so I could have data for it. A quick Clif Bar and protein drink and I was back to the start line. Dang! Two additional riders for our age group. Fresh legs, pook ding-fu! Plus, one of the guys I knew was much stronger. Unlike Pace Bend, we were divided into ten year age groups, with the young guys going out thirty seconds ahead of us. We also had an 80 year old who with our group but he was dropped from the outset.
The two fresh legs led out with Bob then me tagging along. My legs were feeling the 10k and I was determined to draft as long as I could. About five minutes into the race, we could see the younger group wasn't going as fast as we were. That was somewhat of a surprise. Our leader launched out and attempted to bridge up. A minute or so later, Bob jumped and also tried to bridge up. I was happy to continue to draft (the wind was picking up, in our face). Almost to the turn-around, I detected a slight weakness in my partner and attacked and quickly picked up 20-30 yards and another 20 yards after the turn. Unfortunately, my lead was short lived and I saw in my mirror he had accelerated and quickly was on my wheel.
Dang! I tried slowing slightly to let him come around but he didn't. I was looking at nine miles of leading. If that was going to be the case, I'd do it at my comfort level and I settled into a less stressful output. Bob, at this point, was long gone. At the half-way turn-around I again tried an acceleration but he easily caught back up. I was looking at fourth place. But as we rode along, I noticed in my mirror that he wasn't drafting. He was behind maybe five yards and to my left. In retrospect, the first time I gained ground on him was a slight decline and left turn. With a couple of miles to go, he would come up beside me, then drop back. I was thinking, he's playing with me and can drop me anytime he wants. As we approached the finish, I increased cadence (I didn't have the legs to actually jump) and powered away for the bronze. In talking with him afterwards, he admitted he didn't like accelerating in a curve. And I didn't ask, but I suspect he's new to racing which is why he took the gentlemanly position of not drafting. I feel badly about not conversing with him more. Maybe next race.
Well, racing season is over for me and it's time to get ready for next year. Next year, my year. I move up an age category and leave most of these guys who can beat me behind. I know my best event is the long time trial and I'll be spending a lot of time honing my positioning. Senior Games is in Fort Lauderdale and we already have the hotel booked. Waiting to see when and where USA Cycling is holding their race, hoping it isn't at altitude. I may go to Senior Games in Arkansas and Oklahoma for the first time, although Dean has been asking me to go for years.
