Welsh Grand Tour (WGT) Winter Zwift Race League - Final Results

 I mentioned in a previous post the Zwift racing I had been doing with old RAF Tri buddy, Mark ,Frank, Whittle. His WhittleFit team, based in Wales had been participating in the WGt Winter series. As I had joined Frank's training group on Tuesday mornings, he kindly invited me to race with his team. As a Zwift B Cat, I was in the largest race group, with over 140 Zwifters. The final race was last weekend and the league final standings would be decided. I had a decent result on the Bologna course and that managed to bin my worst ride, having ridden 7 of the 8 races (6 to count).

I managed to finish in 6th position in the B Cat league, which was pleasing as the racing was competitive. I wish I had eased down more for the first few races as I started quite fatigued in these events and my results were not great, when compared to more recent races where I had fresh legs!

But the series was most enjoyable and provided a race focus that would have been impossible to maintain through the dark winter months. The good news it that there will be a Spring/Summer series commencing in March. This time there will be a joint bike/run focus, which will suit me well - look forward to that starting.

Talking of running, I have tried to up the speed work. . .but nothing too drastic; just ease into it. I completed a set of 8 x 800m with a relaxed 1 min walk RI on the road on Thursday. Although I had tired legs from the previous day's Haute Route Zwift Group Workout, the 800s were ok, averaging 3:48 per K pace. This was probably quicker than I intended. I would like to bring the pace down to 3:30 per K by summer for this type of session. That should indicate that I could break 18 min for 5K.

Now there's a nice target!

Next Zwift Race and Run Focus

Hello all you folks out there not reading this. Hello family if you read this in the future. So the final WGT Zwift League race is tomorrow morning. The route is La Bologna TT. I have eased back and followed Whoop closely to ensure recovery for the race. It is a short race with a punchy 2.5k climb to be negotiated twice. short the climb may be but it is a race decide, especially with the final climb ending the race at the summit. If you are not with the group at the start of the climb, race over!

Race report to follow. Randomly, see below my test for logging video clips on my Blog. This is moi in France 2019 doing some yoga type stuff pre-ride  8-)

Right. The London Duathlon has been postponed until 5 Sep 21. Not great news but the event is far more likely to happen in September than this April . . . COVID-19 remains the blocker for racing. So I am focused on getting some run speed for a crack at a half decent 5K time. I am rubbish at solo TTs but that is all I can do for now. Sub-18 min? Stretch target I reckon. But I have a secret weapon! I have invested in some Hoka Carbon X trainers. These are my first exposure to carbon plated shoes! Will they bring me the speed I want?

Time will tell. First impressions are good. I find it hard to run slowly in these. The faster you run, the better the feel. But you need to let the run flow. Don't force it. 

More to follow on these good looking trainers!