I think I probably made every beginner's mistake that there is. I started my warm-up too early and after I spun on the trainer for 20 minutes, I still had about 25 minutes before I went off. Also, after I switched out my wheels, I reset my bike computer and rode around a little bit to make sure everything was shifting okay, but didn't reset it again when I was ready to start. I've never had someone hold my seat before at the start, but that was kind of nice so I could be fully clipped in, though I half thought I'd just fall over sideways once he let go. Anyway, after having been told numerous times to make sure I was in the right gear to start, I wasn't. I would have been if I were in the small chain ring, but I forgot to shift back down from the big ring and was a little surprised when I got started. After I got up to speed I felt pretty good and it took about 2 miles before my breathing really got under control. Got to the hill and stayed aero for the most part and then was pushed off to the side and had to slow a little near the top so I could wait for a car to pass. If I hadn't waited, I would've gone off course and I wasn't sure how strict they are with penalties on something like that so I figured a few seconds would be fine. Going down the back was no problem, and is usually the highlight, but as it flattened out and began a slight roll, I downshifted from the big ring to the small and dropped my chain. I rode about 25 yards trying to spin it back on, but it was completely off so I jumped off my bike and fixed it. Something that should have taken me 10" to do ended up taking me 51" because I was in too much of a hurry and every time I'd start getting it on, I'd drop it. Got to the turn arond shortly after that and was coming back when I realized I lost my focus and wasn't really pushing any more. My legs hurt, but I was breathing way too easy. Finally collected myself and got going again. After a few turns I knew the end was coming up and I saw the hill right before it. Or so I thought. I put in my final kick only to find out that I kicked too soon and still had maybe a mile (?) before I was done. I did this once before too, but apparently I didn't learn my lesson then. Finally came in and finished.

I need to time my warm-up better so I finish it closer to my starting time. Also need to make sure I'm in the right gear when I start. Other things to work on include pacing, hills, and cornering. I usually go out too hard (in any event) and then have to reign it in a little bit so I can pace myself well enough for the entire event, not just the first 100 yards. I haven't really found the right combination for that hill in the middle yet, and I think I take corners too cautiously. I think I can pedal into them more and resume pedaling more quickly upon exiting them. The only other thing to do differently would be to not start my final kick until it actually is the last part!

All that said, even with dropping my chain and wasting time getting it back on, my time was better than the last time I did this TT 2 months ago.

Talked to Mark, Stacie, Adam and Yvonne and coughed a lot.


Better pacing, dropping my chain, and re-gaining my mental focus were the top 3 limiters of the day. Once I got into a groove of breathing, cadence and the right gear, I was fine, but it sometimes took longer than needed to find that rhythm.


It was well organized and no problems or confusion. The only minor complaint I'd have is that on my way back there were two volunteers at a corner that should have been pointing me to turn right. They were talking with their backs to me and I had to yell out to ask which way. But, they'd been out there for a few hours at that point and I was near the end. I should know the course anyway.