For the first time this year I was packing a bag that didnt have any winter clothes. In May Scotland had been hit with heavy rain, snow and now glorious sunshine. I was not looking forward to the 6 hour van journey down to Shropshire for round 3 of the British series because the van would be really hot. Stocked up on pies and salads we hit the road at 7 oclock in the morning! Picking up some fellow Scottish cyclists on the way we started trucking down the motorway. 6 hours a few stops and a bag of mint imperials later we arrived at a grass field. After signing on I checked in with the WXC guys. We went back to set up our tent, us cyclists live the life of luxury at races. Practice wasnt till 5 as there were some races going on and I had a team meeting with the other girls to go over the race the next day. Tactics and a few tips under my belt I went to get ready for a pre lap. Even though it was 5 in the afternoon the weather was still so hot and to start with their was a 3km climb to the top of the hill, 30 minutes later I got to the top shattered and so hot, best make sure I dont blow up on the hill tomorrow as 3 laps up that hill will be torture especially in the heat. I was really hoping for some good decents after the long climb and boy was I in for a shock. The downhill was about 3km of singletrack back to the start; it was fast, flowed, smooth and so good. Finishing the lap I had a big smile on my face the decent was definitely worth it after the climb! Dad couldnt be bothered cooking so we went out for a meal and I tucked into a 8oz gammon steak...mmm. I certainly would need the salts tomorrow I convinced myself. Bed time was creeping closer and after some harmless banter involving piggy back and wheelbarrow races we called it a night and went to sleep. The tent was hot and light so it wasnt the best night sleep. But as long as I was rested it was fine.
Race day. The joy of camping is that you dont have to travel anywhere in the morning, you can be relaxed and eating breakfast with no fuss needed. The temperature was starting to pick up but I was constantly drinking my accelerade hydration drink so that I wouldnt dehydrate in the race. Warming up under the shade of the team tent was just what was needed before the start, something I almost missed as I got a bit lost. The main objective in the race for me was too not blow up on the first climb. By missing the gridding I ended up in the worst possible place for the start and when the gun went I found myself on a slight climb. Everyone was rushing around and flying off the front and I had to stop myself from trying to stay with them, I knew I needed to push myself on the hill but nothing positive would come from me using all my energy in the first few km of a endurance race. By the top of the hill I was in 6th and could see 5th not far infront, time to focus on my own race though. There were youth boys around me all the time and in the first singletrack, first corner I found myself on the floor. Not a good start to this race. Nothing hurt so I picked myself up and got going again taking the corners a little bit easier, not how I would have liked to have come down the hill but I would quite like to finish the race in one piece. Getting to the bottom I went to take a drink and realised I was almost out of water. I had made up a drink for my dad incase I did run out and thankfully he was in the feed station ready to give it too me. Being at the bottom of the hill again was a daunting feeling but the thought of some good decents at the top kept me going. I took a bottle of water at the top of the hill, some of which I drunk but most of which I poured over myself to cool down. At this point 5th place was even closer and I was catching. Pushing even harder on the pedals I was closing in. Now just to stay on the bike down the hill. Another bottle change and some more water to pour over myself I hit the climb for one final time. At this point I could see the rider infront, she was struggling because she was looking behind, although struggling myself I kept pushing trying to catch her by the top of the hill I was within a meter of 5th place but no matter how hard I tried I couldnt find the power or energy to get past. We were both tired going into the decent so I just had to get down in one piece and it would be a good race. Coming into the arena I made one final push to the line, it was over. The race was finished. A hour and a half of pushing your body to the limit made even worse by the temperature. I congratulated Yuka on making me work hard and for her staying away from me. After a cool down on the road and no actual showers Jenna and I went to find the tap. A freezing cold attempt of a shower after a hot sweaty race was just perfect. Shorts on and camera at the ready we went out to take some pictures of the boys race. Checking my times on the result sheet I found myself 11 minutes behind the leader which may sound like a lot but when you finished 27 minutes down at the last one its a great improvment. After the long weekend I figured I deserved a ice cream and had a nice conversation with the ice cream man over the weather I went back to help pack the van up. Stocked up with 'recovery' food we started the 6 hour journey home with a extra person. 5 hours and 30 minutes and a loss of £2.50 on a game in the service station we found ourselves back in the borders and dropping off Jenna and Ryan, it was the home straight only half a hour and we would be home. Back in the van we went to start and discovered we werent going anywhere, the van had broken down! So close to home and we were stuck. Having called the AA they told us that the van wasnt going to be fixed there and then but thankfully we had broken down next to our friends house and we swapped a few bags over and borrowed there car to drop Tom off. 7 and a half ours later we made it home.
Thank you very much too the WXC mechanics without you I wouldnt have had a bike to race or been able too cool down during the race, bet you enjoyed that more than me! Also to Accelerade for there sports drinks and gels which kept me hydrated throughout thhe whole weekend and stoped me from dehydrating. A weeks rest and its the Scottish championships, time to defend my title....
No comments:
Post a Comment