If I was interested in having a go at a TT, how would I need to train to ensure I didn't make a complete noodle of myself?
You don't. You just turn up. If it is a club event with entry on the line then turn up early and see if you can get sent off at the top of the list.
Don't worry about people passing you. They will. Your time is your own, you will finish before the last person so will not keep anyone waiting (hence getting there early to get an early start time).
And enjoy it. The first one is a learning experience. The second one a revision. The third one would be good but the weather will crap out. ANd so it goes on, chasing that elusive performance.
I always finish near the bottom of the list. Tonight was the first time I did better than that. And to be honest, the only thing people care about is that you enjoy it. Your time is irrelevant to them (unless you are competetive for the top spots or aboutthe same time as them so they can use you as a marker)
Get out there, put a number on your back and ride. It is a different experience to just riding hard on your own, very different.
And given the dearth of women competing, you have a chance of doing quite well.
As for training, I really ought to do some at some point. In the last 2 months I have done more miles warming up for and riding 10's than all the rest combined. Not many at all.
..d