The Race of Truth

Today I was handed a dose of  "the truth", and I am having a hard time dealing with it.  Man, it was brutal....

"The Race of Truth" is a term often heard in the sport of cycling.  It is used describe what is formally know as a "Time Trial".  A Time Trial is simply a race against the clock.  In the sport of cycling (which contains both a team and individual dynamic), its the moment where everyone is separated - 1 man on his bike with nobody to draft from - against the clock, alone.

Reporters call it "The Race of Truth", because there is no hiding.  You cannot rely on your teammates and use their strength to save energy by drafting off of them.  It exposes you for who you are, and shows your ability to push yourself to the limit.  In many ways, Ironman is the ultimate "Race of Truth".  It is every person for him/herself going against the clock. Granted for most, it is not near the intensity of a true "Time Trial" effort (which is often a shorter, much more intense effort), but the principal is the same, everyman for himself against the clock.   

O.k., back to my does of the Truth.  Occasionally in training my coach will have me do Time Trial efforts for various durations and purposes.  Today was one such day.  I had a feeling it would not be encouraging and well - I was right.  

The workout is straight forward.  Run an easy warm-up for 30'(mins).  Then do a 30' time trail effort (running).  For the last 20' of that effort record your heart rate/pace.  

Well, I warmed up, and was feeling o.k., but just thinking about the hard effort to come, caused my heart rate to climb.  I tried to stay calm, and soon it was time to suffer.  I cranked the pace up hard (too hard in hind sight).  The problem was, I knew how fit I was in the spring, and I want to think I am not that far off from that.  Well it turns out I am.  I slowed down to a 4:30/km pace, because I still had 20' to go.  As a reference, I raced back in March and averaged 4:24/km for 30km at Around the Bay..so I could hold this for another 2o minutes, couldn't I? 

Well, the legs still grew heavier and the lower back got tighter.  I slowed my pace some more, now trying to maintain another pace, that in mind seems so slow, but my body is saying its so hard.  Reluctantly, I slow the pace down again, continually  trying to gather myself..it takes about 10 minutes, and the pace had slowed to over 5 minutes a km( I think it got out to 5:10's - I was on my treadmill).  Soon the end was in sight.  5 minutes left.  I push it harder, but can't hold it for the full 5, so I slow, then speed up, and then thank goodness, its over.  

The harsh reality is this - I averaged 4:50/km for the 30' effort.  I have done much faster in many other races, but that was in the past.  To give this some more perspective,  if I race at Ironman Florida, I want to hold 4:50-5:00/km for the entire 42.2km run.

I have a long way to go.....

Jon