TEAM headstrong in Arizona

While Linz, Bird and I did the usual intervals and 30-30's in preparation for today's Time Trial at Valley of the Sun in Arizona, Randall did his preparation while we were in Dick's Sporting Goods. This didn't seem to hurt him as he finished in 7th place, today, in the 60+. His times and data show he was almost exactly where he was last year. Not bad, hu, for a guy 2 months out form back surgery!

Jon joined us arriving late last night after dealing with the weather that caused plane cancellations and delays. Bringing one bike (road) and racing in maybe the most competitive AG (50+), plagued by technical issues (Chain, etc.) and 4 hours sleep--he ran a TT he can hold his head high with. His time was 39 and some change on the road bike without a TT helmet.

My race pretty much looked like last year, as well. Joe tells me to measure ourselves against the field as opposed to the race as the conditions change. Today there was a headwind which according to the buzz, put us 1 -2 minutes off the prior years time. They logged me at 41: something. In the CAT 4 field I finished 10th out of 32. Not what I'd hoped for, but there it is, none the less.

Linz again made us proud. She raced a strong TT clocking a time of 39:05 and placing 2nd behind a triathlete-turned-cyclist who finished in 36 something. Yikees!

What the first place racer doesn't know, however, is that although she may have taken first on the TT, Linz can handle a bike like a pro and that both the road race and the crit are her tramping grounds!

Tomorrow the Road Race. 2.5 laps requiring a climb be tackled 3 times. Stay tuned!