5 Dayer after 3 days

[Marek]

First thing to say is ouch my legs are killing me. Have not done enough training for the race really, and I found that out on the first stage.

Stage 1 Ladies Mile

Any of you who have done this course it is very hilly. I have done this circuit once before with fourth cats and had a good result. With the 2nd cats driving the race it was a different kettle of fish. After the first lap I felt awful, I was breathing really heavy and my legs felt like lead. After the second lap I was really struggling to stay with the pack. It was either the 3rd or 4th lap where I hit 100% hrmax and could hardly breath, this is the moment I let the peleton go. I sat up and with a few others who had been blown out we worked together to finish the stage. I think we were about 8 mins down on the main group. Not a great start.

Stage 2 Leigh

Although not an overley hilly stage this was 110km and quite rolling. I found this stage quite hard as well and although I managed to stay with the peleton for the whole race I was feeling awful at the end of the race. The last lap seemed to go on forever and I was really struggling to stay on the back but at least I did not get dropped so better than stage 1 in that light.

Stage 3 Ockley

A really excellent course, although narrow in places. Had areas where you could recover after small steep sections. I managed to stay with the peleton until after the final lap where the course turns to then have the finish at the top of Leith Hill. This is a bliming big hill especially after you have just ridden 110km at race speed. I struggled up the hill but made it to the finish line. I reckon I must have lost another couple of minutes on the main group, ho hum.

Stage 4 tomorrow and I am a bit worried as it is quite hilly. Will see how it goes but my legs are starting to feel the pain.

Good news that John Sadler and Dave Kennett are both very consistent and doing work at the front and getting good places.

Don't know the overall classification after three stages but after 2 is listed below. I am near the end of the list, 57th I think.

Cheers

Marek...

http://www.londoncyclesport.com/reports ... ranks.html

[Phil S]

Sounds scary and painful. Well done to all the ACC guys and good luck for the remaining stages.

[Toks]

Wow Marek, respect to you!! That race sounds unbelievably hard. I'm definitely not ready for five days of tough racing. Well done again