Race Report - Jeff Dorminey

Part one: Off to a good start.

Yesterday kicked off the start of my race year, ready or not. I rode with Dave Hiott to the first of three 2008 Camp Sumatanga training races. My grand plan was to ride the “C” class and then do the “B” class for a total of 60 miles. I have done this in the past because it is a great way to get is some good race miles. A big part of my winter training has been lifting weights, HEAVY weights, three times a week, and I known from doing my longer rides of Saturdays that my legs are tired and sore. As I started my warm-up I realized that this was still the case (as expected) but I hoped that maybe they would loosen up. The C class was called to the line and we were off. I think due to the race only being twenty miles, (two ten mile loops) the pace was fast from the start. I was filling good with the pace, tired legs and all, enjoying the race. I played around with trying to move up in the field, falling back and moving back up, having a good time with it. Nothing really exciting happened other than the usual squid or two not knowing how to ride in a fast group and doing stupid stuff to keep everyone else on their guard. I had decided not to contest the sprint in the C class but just try to finish strong in the lead group, which I did.

Part two: what are you doing?

After the C class, I had about 30 minuets between races. I had worked up a sweat in the C race, and while waiting for the B class to start, I started getting cold, as the temperature was falling and the cloud cover came in. Finally the B class lined up and we were off. The pace in the B class was also fast from the start, not any faster than the C’s, but we were going to do twice the distance. After we made the first turn we had a few rollers, nothing major but not flat. Well after about the third roller my legs asked me “what the heck are you thinking!” they were hurting, I asked them to try to continue on but they just laughed at me. That was it; my second race was over before it even started good. I guess with the time between the two races and the cold weather my sore, tired leg muscles decided they had done enough. I finished the lap, and from the sidelines, watched David Hiott and Chad Taylor, who both had a good race.

Conclusion

So, was this training race good training? Yes I believe it was, If nothing else it was good practice racing at speed in a large group, also its only February and the important races for me are still a couple of months away. Even though I did not complete the second race I know that in the long run , after I finish my heavy weight training and my legs have recovered and regained their snap and speed, I should be ready for the races I have targeted.