The penultimate round of the VSS was held out at Wombat track today. I headed out there yesterday to pre ride the track hoping to get one up on my competition, not the greatest idea as I decided I didnt like the track and had it in my head that I couldnt ride it. I called Rob Faull to tell him of my dillema, turns out it was not much of a dillema at all, pretty much the respone I got was to quit whinging about it just ride it. And fair enough too, I cant just pick and choose which courses I am going to ride and if it is too tough for me then I really have to question whether or not I should be having a go at this.
Turns out the course was not as hard as I made out to be on Saturday, I was in a crappy mood on Saturday and perhaps a bit emotional so was probably not in the right frame of mind to be riding out there on my own in the first place so was being a bit dramatic I think, anyway its Sunday morning and as soon as race mode kicked in all the obstacles I didnt attempt the day before soon seemed like no big deal at all.
With 3 girls in my class I was always assured of a podium but not really a legitimate one when you come third and there are only three of you in it! I was up against my nemesis Megan Lawson and a new chick Lisa, I was sizing her up and decided she was not much to worry about and that Megan would be my main concern, with only 1 and 2 minutes seperating us in previous races I was fairly confident I could keep with her on the first lap and hopefully get away from her on the hills, well we took off from the start and I let Megan go ahead on the single track planning to stick behind her and had Lisa behind me not worried about her at all, about half way in the elite guys started passing and I started stopping to let them get past, I could see Megan and Lisa getting away from me but am so worried about getting in the way of the fast riders I didnt want to continue on the single track and hold up riders, this is something I need to overcome, dont know how but I need to.
By the second lap I was pretty sure they would have been a fair way ahead of me and had given up any hope of a legitimate podium so decided to just try and enjoy it, which I did, as soon as I stopped worrying about where they were and trying to catch them everything actually went fairly smoothly and was definitely able to enjoy it more.
I ended up with 3rd and last place for the day and was beaten by 8 minutes so not quite as I had hoped but really was the best I could do on the day. Megan came second losing to Lisa by 21 seconds.
I was pretty down on it all after the race and really was wondering whether I should continue or not. I guess I have 2 choices, I can give up and go along and photograph the events to try and make some money or I can stop sooking and try to up my training which is pretty much non existent at the moment (due to work and uni commitments). I think a 6am jog tomorrow is looking to be the go for me rather than the 4 times I hit the snooze button. I am yet to win a race and cant give up until that happens and then when it does I will just have to keep winning to win the series and then I will start racing in the Expert class and this business of coming last will all start again and on it all goes, so giving up is just not an option.
I love riding and the atmosphere at the races and regardless of whether I win or lose (well lose or lose) I have mostly had alot of fun at all of the races, even at the Youee's race with my constant crashing and very bad result I still enjoyed it. I have also met some great people through it and some great riding partners.
One more round to go, hosted by my club Dirt Riders http://www.dirtridersmtb.com/ and then bring on the Vic Winter Series!
Thanks You's
Thanks again to Rob Faull, although we have not been able to train lately he is still a big motivator to me and I know if I do call him when I am doubting myself he will sort me out pretty quickly. http://www.mtbfit.com/
Croydon Cyclworks http://www.croydoncycleworks.com/shop/
And to Dave Blair for teaching me how to change a tyre!
Until next time Happy Biking!
Kat
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