Paula McGovern Ride Report
It’s been a while but I thought I should post an update. I have not fallen off the face of the Earth but I have been head down, bum up and training!

We are approaching the end of the crit season here in Melbourne and I have had a blast! Starting off in E grade I did not have much podium success pre Christmas. I was finishing within the bunch but just could not crack it. I felt strong and just kept up with my training and trying to race a bit smarter. Then New year hit and I have rarely been off the podium! Highlights were winning (yep 1st place) in a road race at Gryuere which is a hilly course!! 2 person breakaway and we dropped them on the hill! Then a couple of 2nd and 3rds and a win in another crit where I soloed for 14 km! Needless to say I have now been put into D grade! I had aimed to get there for March but it all happened a few weeks sooner. D grade is more challenging but I do feel ready for it.
I had my first experience of an Open Handicap on the weekend too. I am a complete rookie when it comes to all this stuff and I just went with the flow. I was off 37 min on a 58 km course in Ballarat. Very windy and a few hills. I was caught at the 50km mark! Ended up 29th out of 102 and 1 min 44sec behind the winner. It was a very good experience. I highly recommend having a go at this type of event. Although you are at the mercy of the handicapper!!!
My training program has been modified a bit after speaking with David to tailor it to my weekly commitments. Racing once to twice a week has improved my fitness as well as fitting in a trainer session and making sure I recover. I have made the leap to a power meter in the last 2 weeks and I have been learning to use this info under David’s guidance.
The road season approaches and I am keen to take on the boys in this forum and I want to have a go at some Time Trialling. I have now gone onto the TT program. I really like the structure of the CI programs. I need that or I get a bit lost. It’s too easy to skip a session. I have also been in the gym working on a Strength and Power for Cyclist program. With all this training and racing it has started to come together for me. I have been getting PBs on various climbs in the Dandenongs in the past 2 months.
I am just loving being on my bike at the moment!
Paula McGovern