On 13th September I did my second ever 25 mile time trial! I was a little nervous as I'd not done a TT this long in over a year, and I was unsure how to pace myself. But as a flat course I knew I could potentially achieve a new PB.

There was a headwind on the first section of the dual carriageway, which made it even harder to tell how to pace it. I tried not to focus on the speed or distance numbers and instead focused on putting in a moderate effort. I knew this TT would be a bit of a mental challenge too. The return leg up the dual carriageway was a tailwind which gave me the motivation to keep concentrating.

On the second half (the same lap as the first half) I pushed a bit harder, again into a headwind so I tried not to exhaust myself too much. This time it felt a lot longer! On the final leg back up the dual carriageway I pushed much harder again, with a tailwind for some sections to boost my speed. I remember desperately looking for the road sign for the final slip road, to indicate the final couple of hundred meters!

When I crossed the line I was exhausted, but couldn't stop smiling when I looked down to see my Garmin time - 1:02.31. I managed to knock off 2:34 mins from my previous 25 mile record! I was thankful to be finished, and with achy arms (more than legs!?) I rolled back to HQ.

Although it hurt a lot, it made me want to do another 25. I wasn't sure if I went off too easy at the beginning as my legs recovered quicker than I thought they would once I had finished. Hopefully next season I can compete in some more 25 milers and work out just how to pace them perfectly.

Frances Lammyman

Cambridge CC TT F2A/25, 13 Sep 2020

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