Vision Quest Indoor TT

This afternoon I drove out to Vision Quest's Highland Park facility for a 30 minute indoor time trial. VQ does several indoor TT series "races" throughout the winter to keep everybody motivated when it's negative 30 degrees outside with a foot of snow on the ground. Fortunately, this weekend has been warmer (in Chicago that means 15 degrees F). I had an awesome time and was really impressed with the facility, which was set up with about 50 computrainers, HD screens, a professional, friendly staff, locker rooms with showers... the whole shebang. It was a pretty intense workout, but I was probably a bit more conservative than I needed to be; I'm also a bit out of shape as my bike hasn't seen the light of day since August (not joking). I guess I came in 2nd or 3rd among the women, because somebody told me I won some prize money (only 30 bucks, but still awesome!). I think I averaged just shy of a 19 mph pace on the mock Bong 40K TT course (great name, right?), which I could actually take part in this summer if I so desire since it is in Wisconsin. Overall, not bad for my first try.

I talked with Robbie Ventura, the freakin' president of VQ and former pro-cyclist (http://www.visionquestcoaching.com/robbie.php) about getting involved at VQ and working with a coach. I went ahead and signed up for a "performance evaluation" this Tuesday, which involves a lactate threshold (LT) test, bike fit, and a functional performance test (evaluates flexibility, balance, muscular weaknesses). Best of all, I get to work with both Robbie and Dr. Max Testa. Robbie is very well-renowned in the cycling world, as I've pointed out, but Dr. Testa is an orthopedist AND a coach (http://www.cycleto.com/videopopups/maxlance.html). He's worked as team physician for Teams 7-11, Motorola and Maipei. Oh, and he's also trained cyclists like Levi Leipheimer and Lance Armstrong. You know, no big deal. So, to say the least, I am really freaking excited. And out 300 bucks.