About a year ago, Bellinghamster Stewart Bowmer attempted to set a new a 1-hour masters track record at Marymoor Velodrome, as well as a new masters 1-hour world record. While he did set a new record for Marymoor (43.49 km/hr besting the previous record of 41.7 km/hr), he missed setting a new world record (faster than 45.581 km/hr).
Stewart chalked it up as a learning experience, and is making a very serious 2nd attempt at the world record, complete with workouts that start as early as 3:30 AM. He’s also changing the venue to the 7-Eleven Velodrome in Colorado Springs. Mark your calendars for his attempt on the evening of July 16th.
It sure is exciting how many local cycling athletes are excelling at the upper levels of the sport!
Questions:
During last year’s attempt, describe the factors that were out of your control and contributed to not hitting the mark, and what you have changed for this year’s attempt:
Last year I knew everything would have to be perfect for me to break the 45K mark. I went into it more to beat the 41K distance. With only 7 weeks of training the 45K was still in my grasp, but everything would have to be perfect. That morning wasn’t good. Low clouds, cold, and the wind seemed brutal the whole time. My wife and I didn’t have the best plan to keep me on track. Our communication wasn’t the best and we were off on laps and the splits. Dave Mann did a great job grabbing a bullhorn to let me know where I was. For the hour record there are many small details that absolutely matter. Tire pressure, shoe covers, helmets, what tubulars to run, what information I need to keep me focused. The list goes on and on. Proper training is in my control. I have put 100% of my focus into training. Every workout matters. When I’ve wanted to give up I just think of the moment with 1 minute to go. That keeps me motivated to get through some grueling workouts. I’ve never been so fit.
This year’s attempt will be in Colorado Springs. Why did you decide to change the venue and how you do think the new venue should affect your performance?
Marymoor is slow. Many National records have been made on the 7-Eleven Velodrome, not at Marymoor. To beat the record I have to go to another track. I don’t have the experience of riding tracks all over the country or world. This is where I leave it up to my coach. We spent a long time talking about Colorado Springs. I’ve lived and trained at altitude. I now what to expect and know how my body reacts. We agree that the benefits of cutting through less air will outweigh any negatives that I might have phyiscally.
Are you making any changes to your equipment or nutrition/hydration?
This year I have dropped 10 pounds and have increased my power. I’ve had 3 tests done throughout the year to see the changes. My diet hasn’t changed. I eat healthy and with my work I shed the pounds in a smart way–just a little over a pound a month. After my first attempt I contatced David Tiemeyer to build a bike for me. He has been one of the nicest people I talked with in the cycling industry. I had a bike built specifically for me in a few months of first contacting him. I look forward to meeting him July 16th. I also conatced JL Velo for skinsuits. They have been great in making me a great design and a speedsuit that is comfortable and will perform well. Friends have loaned me their nice wheels. A Zipp 808 for the front and a Zipp Super 9 on the back. Vittoria Pista EVO CL‘s on both wheels. A very fast set up. FSA also hooked me up with all my components.
What changes have you made in your training plan? What do your training cycles look like? How are you adjusting for the altitude?
I got a coach. I have Jennie Reed as my coach. I met her last summer at Marymoor during the Nuun/FSA Grand Prix at Marymoor. I chatted with some of the people she coaches. I read a few articles and interviews she had done. To me she seemd like a coach I wanted. A no frills type. Do the hard work she wants and the results will come. My training has been brutal, fun, and consistent since November. I look back at what I started with and just laugh. With family and work the hardest was riding by myself for so long. Most of my training happens in the early morning. I remember posting on Facebook to see if I had any takers to ride with me. None. A few times I got up at 3:30AM to ride. Early morning riding is very peaceful. No cars around and typically in-between weather systems. Most of the time I would hit the window between a major wind storm moving in. My training blocks have been 3 week builds with a rest week. The workout load finally cracked me last weekend. I’ve never been in better shape. For the altitude, I won’t have the luxury to spend a long time adjusting. We’ll fly in Friday and then if weather permits do the hour Saturday evening.
What changes are you making for the attempt itself? What is your plan for that day and the hour you are on the bike. Talk us through your game plan for the attempt. Who will be there with you? How do you plan to stay motivated for the entire hour?
First change is doing the hour in the late evening. Track is still hot. Warm up has changed big time. I really didn’t properly warm up last year. I didn’t take my time to get in the right mind set and make sure everything was in order. I need to remember that I’m in control and not to rush it if I don’t feel right with the set up. The plan is to get to the track around 5PM. Take our time making sure everything is set up. I’m bringing 2 bikes, so I will warm up mostly on the rollers on my road bike and then do some short sessions on the track bike. Ease into the hour. Jennie will be there to get my track bike ready. Give me my splits, and keep me focused. My trainng has been mostly getting me ready to make this a routine day of training. So mentally, I’ve already been there many times. We want a little wiggle room as far as if I need to be at 100% or not. We did a practice session over a month ago and things went well. I’ve been workng with Ron Gordon of Reaction Time Labs, from Vancouver BC. He’s helped me to avoid focusing on external thoughts, and staying focused on the task at hand–notice the pain, but not let it take over. It has worked for me. To push through the pain levels and to keep focused at what I’m doing. It’s a simple computer program to work on reaction times and staying focused.
What’s involved in terms of making sure sanctioning bodies recognize the result if you set a new record?
USAC and UCI are both involed. To make it a National Record it’s just USAC, but to make it a world record I need one official to be an International Commissaire and I also need to submit to a drug test if I beat the record. About half way through, if I’m track to beat the record a call will be made to have a USADA official come over to administer the test. I also need an electronic timing strip and manual time keeping by officials. I have been in contact with the official to make sure everything will be a smooth process for that day.
What do you know about Ken Harris who set the current record of 45.581 km/hr (Sept 24th, 2008)? Is there anything you can learn from his success?
I contacted Ken before my attempt last year. We talked for over an hour about training, wheels, frames, etc. He’s a very nice guy. 100% willing to give me any info I needed. I talked to him after my attempt. We talked about wind speed, distance I covered and plans for next year. Sure, riders want records to be up as long as possible, but I think we also find it motivating to help others beat our records. No one can take away the fact that someone beat a record, but I think Ken wants to see poeple try. I know I will.
Do you know whether anyone else is working on breaking this record?
I have heard about a few people doing hour attempts. No names specifically. I know there are maybe 1-2 people who are thinking about beating the Marymoor record, but nothing for sure. It’s a huge undertaking. Not just training, but lining up officials and having a USAC permit. Making sure position and bike set-up meets UCI standards.
Still using DZ Nuts?
DZ Nuts is always in my bag and on my shorts.
How can folks here in WA state follow you on the day of the attempt?
I’ll probably text people. My concentration will have to be on the hour. I’ll text my wife first and then a few friends after I can start moving again. After an ice bath and a few drinks I hope to get on Facebook.
