Joined Gleeco for the Berkeley TTT in the Eddy Merckyx division (no aero equipment). No rain, some wind. HR measurements are for the race, not entire warmup/warmdown. Only aero step was taping over the front vents on our normal helmets.

http://www.berkeleybike.org/events/bbcttt_2010.html has info and course map/profile.

Warmed up for 10 miles (30+ minutes) on the trainer with HR avg 150, and another 2+ miles out to the start from the parking lot. Took a last stop at the PortoPotty and almost got to the line late -- literally, 10 seconds to spare!

Race was 15.68 miles, 43:24 on my computer, average cadence 95. Max speed 43mph, max cadence 137. Minimum HR 149, average 168, max 176. 28:08 in Z4 (152-171), average 167. 15:02 in Z5 (171-190), average 172.

Got off the line smoothly and powerfully right into the wind. Had discussed that I'd aim for pulls that started at 160 HR, and when I got up to 165, switch up. That plan went out the window immediately, as I went up over 170 pretty much right away, and found the recovery behind Greg to be less strenuous, but not much recovery. We talked a fair bit, to make sure the pace was right. As the race went on, Greg took longer pulls and I just tried to stay locked on his wheel. Twice going uphill I had to ask him to softpedal just a bit. About 2/3 of the way through, turning right to head up a long hill (one of the Bears), both of us had trouble shifting. Greg's chain recovered, but mine fell off. Had to stop, get off the bike, and put it back on. Didn't take super long, but probably lost 15-20 seconds there, which later proved to be meaningful.

I thought race was over 16 miles, so as we were grinding up a long hill near the end, I thought we had more race left. But once we got to the top, there was a short descent, and then maybe 250 yards to the finish. Didn't have much more in me, but I would have tried to finish that penultimate hill a little bit stronger, rather than worrying about cramping (my left calf threatened once or twice).

We finished 3rd in 43:26, 1:12 behind winners Chris Phipps and Paul Dyrwal, and only 9 seconds behind a pair from SJBC (Clark Foy and ?). Too bad about the chain!

Won $10 each, some coffee, some Gus and some electrolyte powder.

Warmed down for 17 miles, average of 18mph, over 57 minutes because (a) had the time and (b) racing RVB crit tomorrow.