5km TT PB – learning how to get the best out of yourself

28 October 2012

Would you believe I have only ever done a 5km TT once before today? I now know why – they are bloody long and horrific (a word I have used a lot of late!).

A few weeks back Q had decided that we should take advantage of the new Challenge Series rules and hit a 5km TT whilst I have found some form. Yesterday we bought the TT forward from Monday to today due to a busy work for me next week. Today was also a valuable learning experience in search of finding what makes me tick and how to get me to perform (self diagnosed I confess).

Let me explain – Last week I had pressure on me to perform in the CS with a 1 mile TT. The pressure was on as it had been on the schedule for months and it was a good pace indicator leading into my 2km race in 2 weeks time. For me it would some up nearly 5 months of training and to ‘check’ it is working and I am going fast/or not. Pressure also mounted as I wanted to top the CS league and set a standard to beat (Team mate Beowulf looks set to beat that now but I would expect that given his ability and 2km PB of 6.06). The result down to this pressure and nerves in the days leading up to the TT pushed me into a fast time and best performance to date.

Today was different. I didn’t get the days before nerves (loss of appetite, irritability, burning up session etc) that I get before racing or big pieces; instead I had a much more relaxed attitude and to be perfectly honest had a ‘can’t be bothered to do this’ attitude. I am knackered from a gruelling week of pain sessions and because there was no pressure to submit a time for the CS I could have easily not bothered with this one just yet. This attitude and lack of ‘getting into the zone’ would bite me in the arse for most of the row today.

I got a few nerves about half an hour before dragging myself of the sofa and heading out for the warm up but nothing bad. I had told myself it was just to be a training session and the pace would be what it would be. I lacked adrenaline or anything to gear me up for the row.

Into the usual 20 minute warm up with bursts and de layered as I went (pretty chilly outside in the garage today). HR lower than usual (lack of adrenaline) and pretty relaxed.

Q had sent his instructions via team emails last night on a few ideas of how to row the piece. We had decided on sitting on 1.39’s until the last 500m and then open up and see what was left. This seemed like the easiest to remember plan and off we went.

All went according to plan and it was between the first 1km and 4km mark that I wanted to HD all the way. Kept the wheel spinning at a rate around 28/29. Leg fatigue and pain kicked in around half way and had to introduce lean back and more handle pressure with 2km to go. Mentally I was breaking it down as much as I could and wasn’t enjoying it in the slightest so was glad to finish.

I started the push arguably a bit to early around 2km and it made it hell but I guess that’s what a 5km TT is. The last 500m was the longest of my life and was slowing through the last 150m so spot on I suppose.

Massive mental points for me today and definitely the hardest row for a long time (due to its duration) and definitely the hardest of the week – and that’s after some brutal pieces this week.

I now have a target for another time on fresh legs and when I really want it.

5km TT – 16.25.2

Ave/500m 1.38.5

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