I knew the event would be small, but for some reason the nerves were huge! After not getting to do the race I had prepared for the week before, this one meant more to me!
I kept debating back and forth between going there the night before or driving the same morning. Some of the races there will be no choice due to the distance. I ended up driving on the same morning, and shockingly got a bit of sleep, even.
Loud music blasting all the way there in the car, nerves on high, trying to get motivated for what was to come.
When I pulled into the car park, I had my first “oh fuck” moment of the day; loads were training on turbos in the car park! OMG, why didn’t I think of this?!?!? The perfect warm-up.
Finally get over to the number area, and the next “oh fuck”: how is this going to fit on my jersey?!?! (And yes, it flapped and annoyed me)
Then time for the “everyone is getting dressed in their car, next to their car” fun. A little boob flashing before their race, I’m sure, made a few men smile.
I tried to do a little warm-up on the roads nearby, but nerves, not knowing where I was, well, it all didn’t help. Why didn’t I have a trainer to use? So much better!
I popped a gel before then 1 last one for good measure; maybe 100mg of caffeine while already anxious wasn’t the best idea!
Then it’s showtime.
During the first few km, I swear I had forgotten how to ride a bike, like WTF am I doing!??! Then it was all focus on the U-turn in the distance, the U-turns I had been dreading for a few weeks.
Finally, at the first U-turn I saw that this one wasn’t so small, it was better than expected, but I still had to slow right down after others got to just swish through it, but it’s ok, more power to get back up to speed.
Why did I have 2 caffeine gels is a major thought on my mind at this point, and at any point, looking down at my HR. I did also have other lovely thoughts, like why is he faster, how can I get as low as that guy (who is on a TT bike, so yeah, not easy), then a few niggles from my legs that I did not warm up beforehand and are now asking “wtf are we doing?”.
Got to the next U-turn; fuck, it was tight! So this one, I did have to put my foot down and started screaming fuck, fuck, fuck to myself as I knew I’d lose time!
But now it was time to go back down to the better U-turn for another whirl, then we’re done.
Obviously, during the course there were younger, faster guys; the issue is they cut in front without looking! Then I’m not far from them; drafting is NOT allowed on the TT, but if you shove your ass in front of me, what am I supposed to do?
In the final stretch, I was happy to have no more u-turns, but then the adrenaline was crashing a little bit; I was coming down from my caffeine high and then “what was my time” became my main problem.
Obviously, in 2026 there is live tracking available for events, and this one did advertise it, but reality is we’re in Germany, so it didn’t work.
Then the pursuit of finding liquids and figuring out my time, and I actually thought that I didn’t win because I know I could’ve done a better time. I know I’ve done more power in a Zwift race. (Warmed up and not anxious as all hell)
I got to the car to put the bike in, changed my clothes (more boob flashing), and did another walk to see if anyone had the times, and ohhhh what is that???
I won
I obviously always wanted to win, but at no point did I actually think about what would happen if I did win, like there’s a podium ceremony 😆
I have never been to the toilet in a German fire department, but guess what? The mirror was so high I could not use it. So it was a bit of a game of “how do you get the bugs off your face without a mirror”. I also didn’t have the right hair after all that for photos, or something decent to wear- yep, this part was not thought through at all!
It all felt a little surreal afterwards. I was always told, “it doesn’t matter unless a number is pinned to you”; not sure if that really holds. Maybe as I race more, I’ll feel different.
But when I finally got back home, you know what?
Zwift racing is a lot easier!