Well it’s been long while since my last update. So here goes…
It was somewhat of an experimental season, to see how my arm held up in races and where my fitness was. Both as it turned out were not as good as they could be, with a whole year out of racing, and only back in February with some full on training and work, Stunt work that is…
What with the Olympics and excitement of The Queens Jubliee celebrations this year too it’s been an amazing British summer. Celebrating the fact that we are British and proud of it is something our nation does not do often or indeed has the chance to do without feeling a little embarrassed. And boy did we do it in style!
Gradually as my races clocked up; I started to feel a little stronger and fitter as each one came and went.
First up after XTERRA Philippines was the Volcano race and training camp in April I loved that one!! The Swim was needing much work, but I came in 5th so it was not too bad a race. then there was the World Cross Champs a month later held in Alabama USA, what an adventure that was in beautiful surroundings and very hot tempertaures. My MTB’ ing let me down a little but swimming without a wetsuit seemed to be an advantage. Coming in 17th I guess I was a little disappointed with the result as I was not up to the standard I was used to. Next was The Brititsh X champs in the beautiful countyside of the Lakedistrict, in early June where I came 6th overall. I was out of the cold lake down on my time by 2 minutes. wetsuit was complusory at 11 degrees, again my mtb’ ing was not strong l and had to pull it back on the run (well more of a fell run up some sharp climbs)
A few days Later I was asked by SILVA/CRAFT team to race Mountain Mayhem, a 24 hour endurance race that is norotiously tough. I agreed as it was on my birthday, at the time thought it may be fun to do, little did I know that it was goung to be the toughest race mentally and physically to date..rain , freezing and the laps lasting over 2 hours . I never seen so much rain relentlessly pounding on me and on my tent , all night riding with my 3 team mates, in the cold rain and mud …nice but we survived it with mud up to out ears, tired and wet, how I managed to get through the 24 hours in one piece I’ll never know grit and determination I guess, having a stinking cold and chest infection didn’t help matters either…I had to Lick my wounds and recover.. What doesnt kill you..isnt that what they say.??
The Olympics was getting closer by now and things were hotting up with some stuntwork and body doubling , mosty all linked to adverts etc for the Brish team in the games.
Kept me busy for a few weeks leading up to my next race. XTERRA France. Another mud fest this time even more gruelling than the last..3 1/2 hours of hills and mud on the bike, barely able to push the bike through , it was 2 laps of hard rding, what a race! Ouch is the word. My bike mechanics letting out a deep sigh each time having to change most of the componenets on my bike , .NOTE TO SELF : Do not ride bike in the mud …
I gave myself a month to rest up after a few races under my belt. And so to concentrate on our Olympics..what a fantastic time that was. Great job TEAM GB!!!!!!! GOLD BRITAIN! wooohooo.
That done I set myself another race goal. my first 70.3.in early September In Gerardmer France where the Xterra was held. Thought it may be a nice one to do quite hilly. I was intending to go straight after to do XTERRA Switzerland but felt I just wasnt strong enough yet on my Mountain bike. Also was hoping to get myself a 29 er as it seems that is the way forward .
On our way to France in the car, travelling about 80 mph we hit a large block of wood the only thing for miles on the empty FRENCH autoroute… must have come off a lorry. No time to swerve so we hit it and burst a tyre, lucky really remained in control of the car. It took all day to sort out, 800 Euros later (The French do not own MINIS apparently ) .. we eventually got to our destination late that night.
The next day was the day before a race and it was raining hard and 10 degrees , I decided to scratch and go for the Olympic distance. the following day. Familiarity and warmer weather was the best policy for me. The rain stopped the next day and the sun shone , tempertaure sored to 22 degrees, must say -it was a good call.:))))) I came 7th Pro in the end being out sprinted along the finish shoot.
Next up is Cornwall festival of sport where I may venture to do a quick Olympic distance Tri or maybe just a swim in the sea and volley ball game…mmmmmm
Then the Lanzarote 70.3 race in November, my A race of the season . That is my biggest challenge of the year to see if my fitness level is good enough to race that distamnce, back to my most favourite place La Santa for a 10 day camp before…can’t wait.
Thanks to some new sponsors who gave me some lovely products to try out. NUUN, SILVA lights, and some current ones who have still been amazingly supportive this year, BIke and Run, Chelmer Bikes, Suunto, Craft, Shock Absorber, Blue Seventy wetsuits, and a special thanks goes to Mark from PURUS Health for my massages every week which and Bruce Butler the main fixer of broken bodies…
