I’m not going to lie, after Mont Sainte Anne I was concerned, after Windham I thought the only thing left to do was to get back on a plane and fly home to New Zealand. It took a great deal of reminding words and encouragement from Reon not to do so. It wasn’t because I wanted to quit, in my mind I was thinking of the big picture and I have seen and heard of many people dig themselves a hole when it starts going wrong.
I have always been told to listen to my body and coming into Mont Sainte Anne and Windham for that matter I felt fine. I had good times in training on the tracks and was riding them well. Mont Sainte Anne was a very technical course with very steep climbs – it was very challenging but I was really pleased with how I rode the features.
Photo: Sven Martin
Photo: Sven Martin
Photo: Sven Martin
Windham in particular I was thinking it would suit me well with one long climb and one long descent, I was expecting to have a good race.
Looking back I think Mont Sainte Anne was a hint of what was to come at Windham. Reon said I did not look myself on the climbs at all, and when I hit the descents my body was so tired I could hardly ride them.
There was the question am I under trained or over trained? After in depth discussions with my coach Sam, and analysis of race data he said my body is exhausted from the months and months of intensity and racing – the other Aussie girls are currently experiencing the same thing so it shows how hard it is to do a Southern Hemisphere season and the straight over to Europe to begin the international season.
I am finding comfort from my earlier results as at least it shows I can be up there.
If nothing else this is a great learning experience for myself and Sam. We are learning the limits of my body. This is the first major dip in form that I have had and it’s not all that surprising, it has been a massive season. I was reading Catharine Pendrels blog, who is the current World Champ, she had her worst result since 2008 I think she wrote. She said “Training weeks are never stand alone events. You must consider the weeks leading into them as well. I didn’t respect mine enough. It’s easy to ride momentum and still perform but eventually 9 weeks of racing in a row, 4 x 3-9hr time zone changes, 100+hrs of travel and training catch up to you.” It happens to the best of them! While I didn’t have quite so many races we have been racing since November and do have a lot further to travel. Eventually your body does meet it limits and it seems I have found mine!
Kim Hurst, a fellow kiwi rider, was over racing in her first World Cups and it was so great to hang out with her and Lisa. Their enthusiasm is awesome and just really nice to be around. Also cool to have another kiwi racing, gutted to see them go home!
We have just arrived in Italy and I am giving my legs a good rest with training involving easy spins only to try to climb out of this dip. I had 2 days in New York where my Aunty had arranged some free accommodation and meals at the bottom of the Empire State Building. We felt very spoilt and it was very nice to mentally check out from biking for a few days.
New York City
I am so grateful for the messages of support I have been receiving. It means a lot when things don’t go to plan but I am still feeling the support of my family, friends and the community. So thank you for sticking by me! I know I will be back.
Next up is the Val di Sole World Cup this weekend in Italy. We will be using this race as a bit of a stepping stone and hoping to find some form before Andorra World Champs in 3 weeks time. I am looking forward to catching up with the rest of the kiwi team!
