Shoddy blogging skills and focus - that’s what’s been happening. Loads going on with work and CJ preparing for Uni; Lots if admin stuff has been pushed aside. So time for a catch up.
My hip and knee injuries lingered on for ages. I had to make the decision to withdraw from the London Duathlon. Slightly gutted about this as the race was my main goal for so long. Being delayed twice due to COVID-19, it was finally happening. So I had to reset my head-space. I could cycle despite the injuries. So I hastily entered a 50 mile TT with Jase Walkley. I had no expectations other than ride and enjoy having a number on my back. 
I’d bagged a LeCol speed suit to try out too. At least my clothing would be aero, even if my bike and position were slightly retro! The course a variation of the A50 dual carriageway route that I did in 2013 to set my 25 mile PB of 55:26. My 50 mile PB of 1:59:23 dates back to 2009 from a course in the A1 in Cambridgeshire.
As the race started I knew the weather was good for fast times. I was surprised to be hold 40kph+ with little effort. No doubt the consistent Zwift racing and training had me in better form than I thought. After the first 25 miles I was still holding 40kph and thoughts drifted into the possibility of breaking 2 hours, which was a benchmark I’d never see again at my age. After all, my last TT effort in 2019 for 25 miles saw me suffer badly to clock 62+ min. As I turned for home on the final leg towards Etwall I decided to empty the tank and really push. The result was a negative split of just under 59 min for the second 25 and a finish time for 50 miles of 1:58:33!! This was a life-time PB and I was well chuffed. Jase rode 1:50:00. Insane speed, helped by his work on improving his aero position.
So after the 50 mile success and not having the London Duathlon to focus on, I needed a goal for early September. So I entered a 100 mile TT that was basically the same course as the 50 done twice. Is completed a 100 TT in 2014 in 4:34, but ridden on feel at perceived IM pace. But 100 miles is a long way and getting the pacing and nutrition right would be essential. Jase recommended Maurten nutrition. This is a drink mix that gives you all the carbs needed. So no solid feeding or gels required. I’d been struggling with stomach problems on long rides when eating solids. So I tested the Maurten on a 3 hour TT shake down ride and it was great. I’d felt strong throughout.
I focussed all training in the 100 mile TT and virtually stopped running totally. Most of the training was on Zwift. But I did bag some long IRL rides, including a spin out to Winnat’s Pass. What a brutal climb!
I was concerned about going too hard too early on the 100. So as my start approached I did minimal warm up. Then as I pushed off I kept the effort level way down. Julie was going to meet me at the North turn point to give me water bottles. The Maurten would be carried in a single bottle in a concentrate. After the first 90 min I approached the first bottle collection. I’d not felt great but seeing Julie at that turn kind of perked me up. I felt much more fluid as I headed back to the next turn. I was averaging just over 38kph. This was faster than I thought I’d go and my maths assessed I could get under 4:10 if I didn’t blow up.
As I reached 85 miles I felt strong and the Maurten was working great. No stomach problems and lots of energy. So I pushed for home, increasing the lower significantly. I felt like I’d saved too much but maybe that perception is wrong and I’d just paced it well. Better to finish strong than dying feeling crappy. My neck seized up during the last few miles and I really struggled to keep aero. I may have lost some time there but not much.
I clocked 4:07:21. Well happy with that. Sun-4 hours is not possible for me. The conditions were great for this race; the younger power monsters producing phenomenal times. Not sure I’ll try a 100 again. It’s a bit of a beast. Tempted to try some more 50 mile races.
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