Maybe a bit closer to the event ? This actually happens to me quite a lot and leaves me a bit sleepless so I often start events tired. It doesn’t hugely effect performance, but I suspect I’d be faster if I could relax better before a big event.
I am fitter, faster, lighter and more aero than the last time I finished this event. I should be able to improve and it only needs to be by a little bit. Pacing, nutrition and comfort are the main things.
I did a 6hr test on a circuit in Kent last weekend and came away with a decent average speed.
I think we all get nervous before events. I've found that this has got worse for me with time. I've done a few early-start audaxes this year and hardly slept the night before each. My rational brain couldn't understand why I was so anxious as it would hardly have mattered if I had slept in and rocked up an hour late to the start, or not done the ride at all. I mentioned it to my osteopath - an ex-GB international runner. He said he felt as nervous before little events he did now as he used to do before big stuff.
TCR is a 6am start (4am UK time) so I'm already assuming I'll have virtually no sleep the night before.
The 24 is such a special, one-off event that I'm getting slightly nervous about it and I've not ridden it for 5 years!
Easy for me to say, but I'm pretty sure you'll do very well, despite the nerves and even if you don't get enough sleep in the run up.
