J5/8 Open 25 Mile TT - Run 5k Acceleration off Bike

My last blog previewed my weekend bike/run key session; the main part being the 25 mile Open TT event on the J5/8 A50 course. The run planned was an acceleration 5k, increasing the speed every 1k. I’d hoped for a sub-hour TT and a sub 20 min 5k run but the key for the run was to be the acceleration aspect when fatigued. 

I must admit, I loved the travel to race vibe. It’s been a while since I’ve ridden a TT and although I’d tried to get mor bike intensity, I suspected I’d be left wanting and be quite slow. The course is fast - the A50 dual carriageway routes are generally fast but not without roundabouts and some drags that sap the legs. I had raised this course back in 2014 and clocked 56:33. Can’t believe that was 9 years ago. I was preparing for the Outlaw and actually going pretty well, if I remember. Plus I was slightly younger. 🥸

Anyway, the course is fast for the first 12 miles really. 

The profile explains why it is fast outwards towards the turn. As much as I tried to save a smidgen of power. Not sure if I did 😆. I actually surprised myself and managed to sustain a decent effort to clock 57:37 by my wahoo. The official clocking may be slightly different but I’m happy enough with this result. 

Onto the acceleration run. I selected 5k to give myself a decent distance to maintain my focus on speed. Don’t want to end up plodding. So happy with an overall time of 5k 19:49. But the important aspect was the increasing pace as the fatigue sets in. 

Overall, a good key session the bag. 3 weeks until the Newcastle 10k now. I may race a Parkrun 5k again on Saturday. Let’s see how the weeks goes with work and stuff. 

Laters