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It has been a long time since my last post on Lachance.Me, but I have been busy ! From nov 17 to December 2nd, was the national team track selection camp held in Los Angeles.
I left Quebec on the 17th on a very early flight at 5am only to reach LAX around 11:30 AM, head to the velodrome to build bike, grocery run and an easy 1h15 ride to move the legs. Needless to say I was already very tired having only slept 2h the night before packing and getting to the airport early for the flight and the 3h time zone difference.
The first day was brutal, 4x5km in the morning with small development (51/15). The pace was not high at 17,2sec / lap, but not having spin that fast for a while, it did'nt take long to strain the nervous system. In the afternoon the same workout was on schedule, but we only made 3.
The next day was similar and my fatigue was just increasing. We then had a rest day followed by "easier" day with team pursuit efforts on bigger gears. During the rest day, I had a Retul bike fit. I realized how much my position was bad for the team pursuit and individual time trial efforts. With a new saddle and drop stem, we managed to up my seat 2cm and drop my handlebars 4cm !
The LA Grand Prix was on the next day with an Omnium on the program; 250m flying lap / points race and elimination on the first day. I was not recovered yet for the GP and my performance were very poor compared to what I can usually do.
In the flying lap, I tried the same new seat and position setup during the Retul fit. I still don't know if it is because of the position or the fatigue, but I never felt able to spin fast and did a poor time. With my usual seat at the hotel, I put back my road saddle on the track bike and lowered 1cm. Mistake, I should have lowered it back the full 2cm lower as I suffered high pain during the points race thereafter. With the form I had, I raced smart to finish in 7th place and if it was not for the seat I could probably have done better too. I then lowered the seat again for the elimination and felt much more confortable, but my lack of speed showed and I was eliminated soon enough and finished 9th.
The next day, on the new position once again, I did a terrible pursuit, a terrible sratch race and a terrible kilo ! The third day was another scratch race with qualification and final. I raced smart, but my lack of form prevent me from following a decisive attack to lap the field. Later that night, I was asked a favor to race the Madison with Ryan Aitcheson so that the event organizer have enough country represented to give UCI points. I was cracked, but the Madison was not so hard and I had some fun.
The following days, we had more team pursuit efforts. I improved a little from the first day, but my body was tired and needed extended recovery to process the trainning. In the end, I was content with the track portion of the camp and gave my 100% each day.
Initially schedule to return to Quebec and then head to the Vuelta a Costa Rica, I was invited to stay longer to train on the road. On schedule was solid volume in the mountains.
Here is a summary of what we've done during that road block:
Day1: 5h - 2825m of elevation - strava
Day2: 3h - 1500m of elevation - strava
Day3: 4h30 - 2100m of elevation - strava
Day4: 6h15 - 3800m of elevation - strava (this is the day I felt the best)
Day5: recovery 45min
Day6: 5h - 2750m of elevation - strava
Day7: 4h30 - 3100m of elevation - strava
Day8: 6h - 3400m of elevation - strava
I had lot of fun in the mountains with a good group of guys. Good experience for me learning to ride a lot, eating well and recovering as much as possible.
I flew to Quebec on the 11th to relax a little at home before heading for the 49th Vuelta a Costa Rica starting on December 17th. I was either going to be flying or very tired as I had just done my biggest road block so far.
I learned the following week, before the Vuelta, that I was not selected on the track program. I was a bit sad, but I will continue working hard to get back on it with the next focus on the Track Nationals, October 2014 in the brand new Milton, Ont velodrome!
For now, Vuelta a Costa Rica !
