Last weekend the team went to the Lakes for a weekend of mountain biking and man it was fun. The first day we did a technical session with Craig from the cyclewise shop. It was so fun, i learnt alot and i just loved being on my new mtb again. The weather let us down tho as it was cold with the odd spot of snow. After a big meal we retired to our B&B ready for a race the next day. The Whinlatter Challenge! We rode there in the morning in the beautiful sunshine and it was such a nice feeling to have sun on our backs.
Everything wasnt straight forward before the race though. Parking was miles away, and we all had to get our race stuff together and get to the line with not much time to spare. But with only 30 seconds to go Jenn barged us to the front of the 400 odd riders and we were off!
My start was good, it went straight up quite a long climb. I could see Sue Clarke infront and Jenn in the near distance so i new i was keeping good pace. As the lap went on i felt better and better, once i had intially got round the technically poor 'choppers' i was away with no one around me and just trying to gain on Sue Clarke in the distance. I must have been top 30 at least and 3rd woman.
But then as i was flying down this rocky single track i heard the dreaded sound of a puncture, i couldnt believe it. I fixed it as fast as i could but it was horrible seeing all those places i made ride away as more and more riders passed me. I got back on my bike and i was mad, so i went on a mission to over take as many people as i could to get back to where i was, i was getting there when i punctured again, i was having to beg for inner tubes by this point.
By the end of the 1st big lap i had had 3 punctures and had run out of tubes. So i had to stop.
Man i was frustrated as i was feeling so good and enjoying it so much.
Jenn went on to show the men how its done and finished 7th overall- was an amazing ride!
So coming into this weekend i was hoping my fortunes would change. It was the 1st round of the national mtb series at Sherwood Pines. This would be my first race as an elite and i was rather excited. The day before was all good. We set up camp then went on 2 practise laps, then did a 3 minute max effort to then return to an afternoon of carbo loading.
The next day i was feeling excited and scoffed my bowl of porridge. Me, Jenn and Ruth were all on our turbos by 9 to get a good warm up before race at 10. We looked quite the professionals i thought.
I was grinded on the 2nd line which was no problem to me, and as we stood there for the next 5 mins in the sun i just couldnt wait to get started. The start was fast, but good, i managed to get on Jenny Copnalls wheel and we went straight through to the front group just before we hit the single track. The pace was fast but enjoyable and everything was going swimmingly until in a flash i was laid out on the floor handle bar in stomach. I had clipped a tree at a fast pace and felt like i had winded myself. With adrenaline pumping i jumped straight back up and got into a chase group for the lead group with Jenn. I tried to dig in and ignore the pain but it was just getting worse. It seemed to be my back that had been most effective and just pressing on the pedals made me feel physically sick. I was being passed by the field and this was such a demoralising feeling as i knew i was better than this. It made the decision to stop as i really was in pain. Jenn went on the be hero of the day taking an awesome 2nd, which was very nearly a 1st! Ruth also did a fantasitc ride to take the win! I was soooo proud of them both!
Driving home though i just had this awful feeping of disappointment, and i would have given anything to just start the race again, and not hit that tree! Im now nursing a very bruised back which is making sleeping and training quite uncomfortable. So now after 2 weeks of disappointment it is now not an option to feel like that again. I have learnt alot and realise now that i need to compose myself more and not get over excited and carried away.
I think thats enough misfortune for one year, so here is where i start bring home some solid preformances for my team!
Next race is a hilly TT in buxton on friday. :)
Ill keep you posted
Annie
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