SCCU 50 - 19th June

[Phil H]

When I hauled myself out of bed at 4:30 this morning, I was feeling surprisingly chipper. This persisted right to the start line and through the first leg up to the turn at Crawley (slight oops on a roundabout there for extra distance). Normally I have a feeling a dread and "why an I doing this?" that lasts well into the race. At the first turn, the reason why I'd sailed up there became apparent as the westerly wind made itself felt. I was figuring on being able to recover a bit coming down the A264 drag but where I'd been hitting 38mph last time I did that bit, it was a struggle to keep it over 30. No rest.

Turning onto the southbound A24 section, the wind decided that actually south-west was a better direction. Could feel the effects down to Southwater - although the drag over the Hop Oast roundabout didn't feel so bad. Back to Broadbridge and the funny deviation out to the west - into the teeth of the gale. Feeling pretty bad now, but we're over half way so need to finish. Back up towards Crawley - thankfully without the extra drag up towards Pease Pottage on this lap. As soon as the road turned slightly uphill it became apparent that my legs were full of lactate and b*gger all else. Still, I'd seen PvT start his second lap (having made it past the HQ) so couldn't pack if he wasn't.

Finished in 2:17:54 - 9 seconds inside my age standard (I was 10 minutes inside on the 100). Lesson: just because you've done a 100, don't treat 50s like they're nothing. Oh, and don't go off too fast.

Didn't get the exact times of the other ACC riders, I believe Lucy rode 2:27 something, PvT 2:22 and George 1:58. Jon H was a DNF. When I left the HQ (to go home and sleep) the fastest time was in the 1:54 region.

[Andrew G]

Well done Phil and the others.
[quote="Phil the Pie"] Still, I'd seen PvT start his second lap (having made it past the HQ) so couldn't pack if he wasn't.

[Lucyap]

A slightly disappointing 2 27:27 for me today Although I had a confident start, by the first roundabout I'd remembered that I'd done my slowest 25 on this course . . . and this thought stayed with me pretty much the whole way round, as did the wind!
Thanks to George for the encouragement, I really needed it as unusually I felt like quitting. Quick check of the diary when I got home confirmed my suspicions as to why I wasn't feeling right . . . maybe 7 consecutive weeks of weekend racing had taken their toll
Great ride by Jim Burdett (don't remember times, or if I do I get them wrong), but it was well up on the last 50 we both rode 2 weeks ago. Maybe I should have followed his schedule by having an easy week

Lucy.

[Jon H]

Well done on finishing your first 50 Phil. It wasn't the easiest of mornings with that wind blowing. My legs felt rubbish from the word go, and I had a big CBA moment as I came past the HQ. The lure of tea and cake was too strong to resist.

[Phil H]

Cheers. I've beaten my age standard at 10, 25, 50 and 100 now. Just 12 and 24 to go ...