Wow, we've been back for a touch over 3 weeks already! Training has been full on and I have to say I am mighty pleased with how well things have come back up!
I do enjoy this time of the year, usually! The nights are long enough to get loads of bike time after work, it is not so hot that you need fresh bidons every 30 minutes and the pollen has buggered off! Tuesday night track racing is in full swing and the boys are providing some excellent competition! Wednesday night crit racing is on and as always is a good mid-week hit out! And if it will kindly stop raining the weekends are perfect for time in the hills!
There are some important races for me coming up and it is all building well for nationals- both road (January) and track (February). And I will have some exciting news later in the week!
All I can say is bring it on!
(I know that someone has been photographing Tuesday nights, I am not sure who... stay tuned and I might find some photos!)
Nov 29, 2010
Nov 17, 2010
It's so much easier if you use your head!
Wagga Wagga Golden Wheel
13-14 November
Knowing that I was somewhat underdone and still on antibiotics, a double header racing weekend was going to a big ask. I was prepared for that mentally and as agreed with Brian, if it got too much then I would call it a day.
The story of the weekend was consistently finishing in the place just off the podium! Whilst this is frustrating, it is in no way disappointing given the state I was in. In fact, despite the lack of results, it was technically some of the best and smartest racing I have ever done! Which is more of a confidence boost than most results would have been (although the $ would have been good!)
The weather gods were kind to me on Saturday and just when I was really starting to feel my lack of endurance (I had made it through 4 events, including some pretty harsh marks- thanks Baz!) the heavens opened! That was the end of day 1.
Day 2 was equally as ominous but the weather gods weren't playing nice for anyone. Even with a re-jigged program, I only got one race in before we were all drenched! There was no Golden Wheel result nor a Rules Club Wheel Race this year. But we will all be back in February to finish what was started and this time I will have my head and my legs working together...
13-14 November
Knowing that I was somewhat underdone and still on antibiotics, a double header racing weekend was going to a big ask. I was prepared for that mentally and as agreed with Brian, if it got too much then I would call it a day.
The story of the weekend was consistently finishing in the place just off the podium! Whilst this is frustrating, it is in no way disappointing given the state I was in. In fact, despite the lack of results, it was technically some of the best and smartest racing I have ever done! Which is more of a confidence boost than most results would have been (although the $ would have been good!)
The weather gods were kind to me on Saturday and just when I was really starting to feel my lack of endurance (I had made it through 4 events, including some pretty harsh marks- thanks Baz!) the heavens opened! That was the end of day 1.
Day 2 was equally as ominous but the weather gods weren't playing nice for anyone. Even with a re-jigged program, I only got one race in before we were all drenched! There was no Golden Wheel result nor a Rules Club Wheel Race this year. But we will all be back in February to finish what was started and this time I will have my head and my legs working together...
Nov 16, 2010
Back to Reality
3 weeks after setting off overseas we found ourselves heading home. This timeframe also meant that I had about 6 days of bike cramming to be ready to race at my favourite race of all time- the Wagga Golden Wheel Track Carnival! Surely 3 weeks off, which included 7 days trekking at altitude just meant I was going to be super fresh to race, right?!
The first ride back was like slipping on an old pair of slippers and I was so glad to be back on my bike. It was looking good for a good impromptu prep for racing on the weekend, until things went pair shaped.
A ride from work to BundaDome, all of 3 km, with a HR pushing high E3 suggested something wasn’t quite right and I was dutifully sent home from the track with no racing. Wednesday and things were no better. In fact they were worse with the gastro infection that I had had when we were in Phuket, and that had started to simmer away before we got home came back with a vengeance. Couple that with a mild chest infection and it was off to the doctor for me.
Being a microbiologist, I had a fair idea what was going on. The most important part of the conversation with the Dr, after he had prescribed some god-awful broad spectrum antibiotics, was “Can I race my bike on the weekend?” “If your lungs and gut are up to it.” That was enough for me. I was going to race in Wagga (besides the accommodation was booked).
The drugs did their thing. My legs did their thing on Thursday at the track and I wasn’t as shabby as I thought I would be. An easy roll around with MiffyG on Friday morning and I was itching for the weekend!!
The first ride back was like slipping on an old pair of slippers and I was so glad to be back on my bike. It was looking good for a good impromptu prep for racing on the weekend, until things went pair shaped.
A ride from work to BundaDome, all of 3 km, with a HR pushing high E3 suggested something wasn’t quite right and I was dutifully sent home from the track with no racing. Wednesday and things were no better. In fact they were worse with the gastro infection that I had had when we were in Phuket, and that had started to simmer away before we got home came back with a vengeance. Couple that with a mild chest infection and it was off to the doctor for me.
Being a microbiologist, I had a fair idea what was going on. The most important part of the conversation with the Dr, after he had prescribed some god-awful broad spectrum antibiotics, was “Can I race my bike on the weekend?” “If your lungs and gut are up to it.” That was enough for me. I was going to race in Wagga (besides the accommodation was booked).
The drugs did their thing. My legs did their thing on Thursday at the track and I wasn’t as shabby as I thought I would be. An easy roll around with MiffyG on Friday morning and I was itching for the weekend!!
Nov 15, 2010
Going off in the offy
The impetus for this trip was Tom and Sab’s wedding. With one being Danish and the other Indian, they wanted somewhere in between for family and friends to travel and the solution was Phuket. More specifically Katathani Beach Resort. This place was fantastic. Whilst I am not normally a sucker for 5 star resorts, for a couple of days of sitting around and doing nothing except relax and drink mojitos, Katathani was fantastic! From there it was on to Nepal for some trekking and immersion in Kathmandu. Rather than bore you with words, here are some pictures; enjoy!
The bride, looking stunning, escorted by her brother; Happy couple during the vows; yes there was an elephant involved, and ice swans!!!
Photos from Nepal
Big waterfalls, steep stone stairs, big mountains, temples with Buddha eyes and monkeys. Oh, Nepal you are country full of juxtaposition and amazement
(More photos are available here)
Nov 10, 2010
M.I.A.
I know it has been a long time between posts. But there was a period of time that I was merely going through the motions of riding my bike, trying to keep my head above what was going on at work. Consequently there wasn't much to say.
To get out of this rut, I went and got a new job. One that is far more rewarding and enjoyable and far less stressful. I will post a story on the effects of stress on training soon as it was an "interesting" experience.
Shortly after starting said new job, I went on holidays. Annual break time- woohoo! Good friends of ours were getting married in Phuket so we made the most of being half way to anywhere from Australia and went to Nepal for 2 weeks. All up, away for 3 weeks and despite getting sick, twice, it was an awesome experience. More on that in a later post.
Now we are back. The Wagga Golden Wheel track carnival- my favourite race of all time- has been and been washed out! I will post on that soon! And it is full steam ahead in preparation for the Nationals season!
Promise to be back soon with some interesting tales for you!
To get out of this rut, I went and got a new job. One that is far more rewarding and enjoyable and far less stressful. I will post a story on the effects of stress on training soon as it was an "interesting" experience.
Shortly after starting said new job, I went on holidays. Annual break time- woohoo! Good friends of ours were getting married in Phuket so we made the most of being half way to anywhere from Australia and went to Nepal for 2 weeks. All up, away for 3 weeks and despite getting sick, twice, it was an awesome experience. More on that in a later post.
Now we are back. The Wagga Golden Wheel track carnival- my favourite race of all time- has been and been washed out! I will post on that soon! And it is full steam ahead in preparation for the Nationals season!
Promise to be back soon with some interesting tales for you!
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