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Another top continental performance from Dan



Here is Dan McCarthy's report fro the Powerman Como – Elite World Duathlon Series – 24/10/10

7th Place

"Powerman Como – the toughest event I have ever done by a long long way. I was up against one of the hardest fields on paper including 3 former World Champions and a host of other top competitors including the Italian Ironman Champion and 250 other competitors all ready to duke it out on the roads. Set in the picturesque and awe inspiring Lombardi area of Lake Como in Italy, I’d watched Phillipe Gilbert and others battle it out the previous week in horrendous rain and misty conditions. This did little to calm my nerves!

Three weeks prior to the event I was struck down with Achilles tendonitis which I managed to improve with a mass of rehab work, making the final decision to race just a week before the event. Because the course was so tough on the bike, I decided that I could still limit my losses on the runs and produce a solid performance – perhaps somewhere in the top 15. The race was made up of a 10km run, an 80km bike and 10km run. The bike course was awesome – made up of undulating terrain to the infamous climb of the ‘Nesso’ which is 13km long and ramps up at frequent 10% sections – a really nasty climb with multiple hairpins all the way up. The fun part was the 10 mile descent with approximately 20 hairpin bends via the town of Asso (the cycle clothing manufacturer).

The race day was welcomed by rain – sopping greasy roads, which take no prisoners. The plan was to start the run easy and make sure that the Achilles was not put under any major strain which meant a first 10km run in 36mins (about 4-5mins slower than usual). I came in around 5mins behind the leaders and made my way out on the bike course, overtaking people on the undulations all the way out to the major climb of the Nesso. This climb was an experience. There is little you can do to train in England for a climb like this. Even 6 max-out reps up Coombe Hill and Box Hill, which has been my diet for the past 8 weeks, did little to really prepare for this one. Up the climb I felt really strong and managed to catch the group for 10th place at the summit, making up minutes from the base of the climb. This part of the course was epic as we passed through fog line on the way up, eventually reaching 1200 metres altitude .The descent was very precarious with diesel and leaves on a few corners. This fact was placed firmly at the back of my mind as I passed another group to reach 7th place as I continued to take all sorts of risks on the downhills, eventually pulling out 2 mins on the group on the descent alone. One minor hiccup where I dropped it on the last section of bends as the road surface changed, but managed to get back on quickly with no major injuries.

The last run was ok thankfully as I managed to pull off a 7th overall. Given that a lot of the guys ahead are all professionals, I was a bit shocked to pull off such a blinder. My bike split was also 4th quickest overall, with an average speed not far short of 23mph for the very hilly course. With no injuries, perhaps a podium would have been achievable, but hindsight is a wonderful thing in sport!

Walking down the stairs at Gatwick after a short flight was absolute murder. My quads have never been this sore in my life! My appearance at the Ottershaw Surrey League is under serious review at this current time….."

Glenn recommends a bit of mental training

This is a message from VCM member (and chiropractor should you need one) Glenn Duffy:

"Hi guys, I’m sending this recommendation for “pre-season training” as those who I recommended and have done this have had huge success and brilliant reviews.

I have been working with a coach Dominic Keohane (Dom) for approximately 18 months now- he has helped me in preparation for events and changes in life and work, I trust him whole-heartedly and have paid for all of our staff to see him for development work.

In a nutshell, he has a 1 day workshop called “Beyond Personal Best”, which focuses on how to train your mind for big events and how to “train mentally”. Isn’t it crazy that we put in so many saddle-hours but never stop to train our minds to get the performance we want???

He says "85% of success is achieved in the mind. Train it and experience more success more often" -Dom

80% of the people that attended the pilot workshop broke personal bests within a week. He teaches people why they are the way they are and gives them insight into what is influencing them before taking them through the four pillars of athletic success;

Commitment
Control
Concentration
Confidence

You'll leave with greater insights into how you can achieve your perceived optimum performance bring it to a new level. The next workshop is set to run in Reading on the 31st October, conveniently on a Sunday. It is an £65 to spend the day with one of the country’s top High Performance Coaches.

For more information and to book your place, send him an e-mail directly, let him know that I recommended the course to you and I'm sure he'll do his best to squeeze you in; dominic.keohane@gmail.com

This event is run in association with FK.UK -they have a pretty big membership so it gets filled quickly.

Big Hugs to anyone who can handle them, Glenn

Ps. No, I don’t get paid commission.
Pps. No, it isn’t run through the clinic - in fact we pay Dom for his time and still promote him for free, so he must be doing something right!!!"

Track day - Calshot Nov 20th -Updated

(photo:Richard Dorrell)

Message from Andy Grant:

"Hello everyone

Due to much demand I have organised another track day, at Calshot this time - smaller track but just as much if not even more fun.

Session is three hours 5.30pm to 8.30pm on a Saturday evening 20th November.

Open to novices or even complete beginners through to experienced riders.Don't worry if you haven't ridden on the track before - we should have you riding round like a pro before the end of the session.

There is a maximum number of riders of 32 - this enables one group of 16 riders to be on the track at one time - while the other group recovers or gets instruction, Sessions last for about 20 minutes.

Cost will be hire of track plus instructor( £173) divided by number of riders- could be as low as £6 or 7 quid if we get maximum numbers but should be less than £15 just with the numbers that have already confirmed.
There are new hire bikes at Calshot so for those without a track bike the hire of a bike will be £9.00 these bikes have Look Keo pedals - if you do not have Keo shoeplates from your roadbike you will need to hire shoes with Keo plates at £3.50

for those who want more info about the track visit
www.calshot.com.html or google Images for calshot velodrome

I have already booked and paid for the track but won't know how much to charge you until the day - would like to pay Harry Jackson (our trainer) in cash if possible so some payments in cash on the day will be appreciated."

Calshots address is
Calshot Activity Centre.
Calshot Spit,
Fawley,
Southampton,
Hampshire,
S045 1BR

(Monday) Mint Training Nights

Justin Hoy is running training sessions on Mondays, from November 15, 2010 at 7:30pm from Mint Condition in Binsted nr Alton.

These are training rides for all abilities with lights, through and off for 60 Mins + 1 lap of this:
http://bit.ly/cblJSP

if you get dropped take it easy for a lap and get back in.

First 2-3 laps steady.
Everyone welcome.

Parking at Mint Condition for 7:35pm start.

Basso Complete Bike For Sale


Terry has a new Basso Astra Bike for Sale.

Basso Astra carbon Frame 51cm Blue/Black/White Full Ultegra Group Set Compact 50/34 Cassette 11/28 Mavic Equipe Wheel set Michelin Pro 3 Tyres Microtech Carbon Bars (42cc) Stem 100mm and Seat post Fizik Arione White Saddle

Frame is Current through 2011.
Bike has been displayed in a Store but not Used. Slight mark on Right hand Crank see picture.
RRP is £3,099.00
See www.bassouk.com for full details

Grag a bargain @ £2,200.00

Kind Regards

Terry Morgan - 01252 672866 - 07903 080563 - terry_morgan@ntlworld.com




Meudon film night out?

October 21st Basingstoke Odeon - contact Keith if you want to go - if you don't have his details just use the contact page on the website.

Saturday club run schedule

9.30 Saturdays from Seale Tea Rooms GU10 1HR

Not too fast, not too far, no one left behind etc etc. Everyone welcome. This is the programme but If the weather changes or the turnout want to change direction then we'll have a degree of flexibility.

9th Oct Midhurst - Cowdray Park
16th Oct Chiddingfold - new cafe apparently!
23rd Oct Petworth
30th Oct Odiham
6th Nov Arlesford
13th Nov Chawton
20th Nov Alton - aircraft cafe
27th Nov Haslemere - Lower Roundhurst Farm