Regrets...post race.

tonyzackery

Just wanted to see how many of you out there ever have the feeling that you should put out more effort to get a better result in race.

I just finished up the Tour de Delta crit for the cat 3/4 men and I'm coming away unfulfilled in that I finished 8th (out of about 40), but I left alot still in the tank. I sat in for most of the 30 minute flat 0.9k crit in downtown Ladner, BC. I was feeling good, heartrate under control, and even bridged up to break of 4 that didn't want to work anymore once they noticed I was there (I have an excellent sprint).

The finish involved a very technical and tight turn and I was probably 8th wheel going in but got behind a couple very bad wheels (guys with no sprint) and had to slow down TWICE! I got back on it after losing a few spots and managed a top 10. I don't think my HR got to 180 (max 189) so I know I didn't work that hard in the final sprint.

I'm kicking myself now because I should've busted a lung going into that last corner and came out 3rd or 4th wheel as less than 1 second separated 1st to 10th. I hate when I don't give everything I've got...I train to hard to not leave it all on the race course...

iliveonnitro

Everyone does at some point..some more than others. Learn from your mistake and don't make it again. It's how you get better.

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My club: University of Illinois-Chicago Cycling

tonyzackery

I'm sure you meant well, and I appreciate your words of wisdom, but I'm fully aware that I need to learn from my mistake with the understanding that I don't want to make it again .

This thread was meant as a place for racers to share their regrettable racing experiences...

iliveonnitro

Definitely meant well.

If you want those stories, I sat up on the line at the Quad Cities crit in Iowa in a field of 75 riders. They paid 18 deep and I got 19th because I thought I was too far back -- probably lost 5 positions on the line. D'oh!

__________________
My club: University of Illinois-Chicago Cycling

ecandl

I was in a hillclimb last weekend that I hadn't ridden for 20 years. I knew there was an almost flat portion through the middle and I wanted to be sure to stick with a large group so I could draft. Well, I was over my limit and knew I couldn't maintain my pace - thought I might pop - so I dropped off the large group. What I didn't realize was that the flat part was only 200 yds away. I ended up working with 2 riders instead of 20. I don't know that I lost a ton of time but since that was really my only goal tactically - I blew it. Next time.....

tonyzackery

Myself even entering a hill climbing competition would be a regrettable experience! LOL! I'm 195lbs and trying to defy gravity's pull (at race pace of course) is not one of my favorite things to do...Thanks for sharing...

Ade Merckx

1 MILE to go in a 3/4 cat race. Up the final drag ouR breakaway group of four was working well. I looked behind having done my turn and saw the bunch at around 160 metres. Arrgghhh it still haununt me now!!!I perhaps had one match to burn but I didn't respond and continued to take turns with the group. Thay reeled us all in 30 metres fr from the line. DAMN DAMN DAMN I WAS PERHAPS THE STRONGEST AND SHOULDA JUMPED WHEN I SAW THE PACK COMING!!!!

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http://theademerckx2008racingfiles.blogspot.com/

tonyzackery

That damn word "shoulda", along with its brother 'coulda', and cousin 'woulda' are the 3 most insidious words a racer can utter post race - I know this for a fact as "I've been there and done that" too...thanks for sharing.

AngryPenguin

I find it hard to maintain maximum effort through a 10 mile tt and often come away feeling like I should have gone harder. I have just finished my first season racing and I have learnt alot already, definately going to focus on pacing over the next year, I think I still go off too hard.

A couple of weeks ago I was on my way to a hill climb when I lost a spoke on my back wheel, it went all out of cock and I knew it wouldn't make it up the hill so I turned around and went home. I later discovered that the winning time was 10 seconds above the training time I had done up there the week before.

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Its not what you've got its what you do with it.

Sikhandar

a good technique that I used when I was under23 (and also many teammates of mine) was: don't use a HR, powermetre or a speedometre, just go with your bare handlebar. When racing you won't think to other things, and you'll be concentrated only in crushing your opponents... it works perfectly, I still have nothing on my handlebar (only when training I put on HR monitor t do exercises). (ROAD PACK RACES, not TT, that's different!!)

tonyzackery

Just finished my outdoor season with a couple of 'A' priority crits in Victoria. Disappointed with my results - 4th place in both races. Might as well have been 24th, IMO. I'm pissed because I missed the podium on consecutive days! In hindsight, it again was my lack of aggressiveness going into the final two turns prior to the finish line that cost me podium finishes.

Lack of aggression indicates lack of confidence, and a lack of confidence indicates a lack of strength. With increased strength will come increased confidence which will allow me to be aggressive in the finale. Ergo, increasing power at threshold is my main goal over the winter.

Ade Merckx

mmm I hear ya mate. Although lack of confidence doesn't necessarily indicate lack of strength. In quite often simply indicates what it is - LACK OF CONFIDENCE

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http://theademerckx2008racingfiles.blogspot.com/

tonyzackery

Agreed. Should have stated that I was speaking for myself. Nonetheless, there is always reason a racer will lack confidence in a situation - be it lack of strength relative to competition, past bad experience, possibly no prior experience with the particular situation, etc...