Oceania’s this weekend finished off our domestic season, and my build up to this race was not what I hoped…. Going to Dunedin I was confident I was a lot healthier than nationals but still being on antibiotics (after the first course of antibiotics not working GRRR) I was definitely not 100% and as a result my training had not been what it would have over the 3weeks between the two important events. The training focus had shifted from intense training session to recovery/rest, getting healthy was the main objective, at that stage and given the situation it was all I could do.
As Carl said we charged on down to Dunedin arriving at about 4.30pm with enough time spare for a couple of laps. The cold really hit my chest and stirred things up bit resulting in waking up on Thursday feeling off colour, the decision was made that I would take the day off the bike and off the track to keep warm and stay rested in order to feel fresh and well on race day. Friday was my chance for a last lap on the track Carl showed me the lines he had gone over on Thursday and I was really excited and confident to race the great track Dunedin had.
The rest, awesome meals (Thanks to Jo), and great accommodation in Dunedin meant that I woke up on race day feeling a lot better than I had been, with only a bit of congestion and with 2days left of antibiotics It was definitely a good thing. I was ready to put everything that I had on the day out there regardless of the outcome.
I was seeded on the back line, due to my poor nationals result so I had to start hard. The start was pretty tricky as I got blocked out by the riders in front I ended up out of touch with the front of the race from the get go. Managing to get through a few riders before the first single track helped but there was a bit of blocking and what not through the track so I had to wait to the climb to get into it. On the first climb I struggled finding it hard to breathe but as the race went on the congestion cleared and I felt good towards the end of the first lap. Samara Sheppard (2010 U23 NZ national champion) and I battled it out on the first lap and then I managed to get a gap and started to close in on two riders in front of me, who were both elite, an Australian and Michelle Bellamy, on the last lap I managed to get past the Australian but Michelle held me off finishing in 8th whilst I placed 9th.
Overall I am pleased with the result, my build up was not ideal but I dealt with it and altered training etc to make it work the best it possibly could. The final result was 2nd in a strong U23 Oceania championships field to Australian Rebecca Henderson (2010 U23 Australian National champion) With Samara Sheppard 3rd.
Womens Oceania Short Track (3rd place)
On Sunday I woke up not knowing I was going to race the short track had a mean big breakfast (too big to complete) and then headed off to watch the downhill and possibly race the short track. I decided once I got to the short track that I may as well race and Carl and I decided we would try each other bikes out and did a bike Swap, I had heaps of fun racing, it was extremely hard, partly because I had eaten a huge amount 30minutes prior which made me feel pretty seedy on the way round and the rest was due to the pace which went from the start line. I spent the first few laps on the back nearly getting dropped but as I warmed up I came right and got past a few others, Eloise was in 3rd and one place ahead of me so I dug deep and hurt even more to get in front and then thought I had better attack before the last laps or there would be a sprint on, and I didn’t fancy my chances of my legs actually working. I finished in 3rd with Fiona taking the win, and Nic Leary 2nd.
I have had a fun few months with lots of up’s and down’s I think this season I have learnt so much, I didn’t get a smooth run. I can’t wait till Canada where I will get to take the next step up in racing getting even stronger and developing as a mountain biker. Thanks Bergamont bicycles, Waiariki institute of technology, Jane, mum, dad, and Carl!!!
