3rd time not so lucky

I'm sat on my sofa, wrapped in a blanket with my ankle smothered in gel, the bruises on my body look like some bizarre dot to dot, and the pain killers aren't working as well as I'd hoped and all I can think is Adrenalin is amazing stuff as none of this hurt yesterday.

So it's the afternoon after the day before.. the day before that happened to be my 3rd DH race and it wasn't 3rd time lucky for me.

Everything on the day went so well, we got up and on the road earlier than expected and arrived at the Forest of Dean in time to walk the track before practice.  I found for me not doing a practice run works best, the furthest I keep away for the race buzz the better my nerves are, so walking the course was really good to see how it had changed over the last week.

I warmed up on corkscrew, doing a few runs until I relaxed on the bike, then ran the top section of the race track a couple of times before it was time for the race.

As normal I elected to go last, I'm by far the slowest with no aspirations of a podium place.  My nerves gripped me on the start and as the beeps counted down I just wanted to go.. My first run started with so much potential, I hit all my lines tried to keep off the brakes and breath and feeling confident enought to let the bike leave the ground (a little), even the tricky root section went surprisingly easy, and I darted over the forestry road looking forward to the rest of the track.  The drop off the forestry road was fine, and as the track levelled out I loosened off my brakes to pump the bike over a couple of patches of roots, it was then it went down hill.  As I approached the 2nd root patch I remember noticing the change in track, but I was on my line going to fast to manoeuvre the old boy and not really wanting to as I'd ridden this line loads without issues.  I felt the front wheel go, shifting my weight forward to recover it I felt the front wheel grip a bit, but it was too late the back end went with any chance to do anything.  My world went upside down, off the track stuck on my bike clipped in.  I struggled to unclip and get up, but managed to as I heard whistles telling me another bike was on route.  Not having recovered fully I let the bike past and carried on down, with another bike hot on my tail.

Even managed to get my wheels off the ground  before my off 

A little sore I finished my run, dumping the bike in the van grabbing my camera to go and catch Darrel in action.  I really was shocked, it's really rare for me to fall off I'm too cautious for that, and it was on a bit I'd never really noticed before now, just a couple of roots crossing the track.

After Darrels excellent run, we walked up to have a look where i'd come off and work out a strategy for it not to happen again.  Now normally if I come off on a section it takes me a few runs to get my confidence back up, but in a race senerio I'd never considered this happening and how it would affect me.  Would I have the nerve to do my second run, will I freeze (my normal reaction) at this section on my 2nd run.

I knew how to clear it, going to the right and up onto the roots put me in a better position and on less cutup ground.  I had to give it a go, my time was so bad..

So back to the beeps, I kept myself calm by concentrating on getting down clear I was way out the running competition wise so couldn't do any worse.  As soon as the beeps started I went.  Feeling   tense but remembered my lines, keeping at a speed I felt comfortable with, I dropped off the forestry road on the second run, looking as far ahead as I could to concentrate on hitting the line to the right, keeping my thoughts on this to stop me thinking of the crash.  I cleared it and felt my body fully relax, and looked forward to the rest of the run, I remember even pedalling to try and make up some time, and sticking to the easy lines to get me down in once piece.

2nd Race Run 

So, my times was slow, my second run was over cautious but I was please.  My confidence is very easily dented and I was chuffed that I'd managed to mentally pick myself up to do the second run.  Though I am disappointed in my times, this is my favourite track and the one I'd have the best chance of getting a more competitive time on.


3rd Race has taught me:

• I can get over a fall
• To look further ahead than I do 
• Just because I had cleared the hard bit doesn't mean I'm home safe
• I need to be fitter (more on that one in my next blog)

And Adrenalin is amazing, pity you can't buy it at Boots I might not be sitting on the sofa feeling so sorry for my bruised and battered self.

My bruised Ankle

Corkscrew and not the wine type

I wrote this blog the week after my DH race, but I was soo excited I forgot to post it and when i read it back it made little to no sense. 

So here's how the weekend and my 2nd ever DH race went.

Saturday was a practice session with Tracey Mosley and Katy Curd, arranged by Diva Descent, walking and talking over the track with them was an amazing experience and really helped, with great tips on riding each section and body position   I noticed how guys on their bikes hung around our little group eves dropping on what Tracey would say.

The practice session was also a good opportunity to meet up with the other ladies in the class.

I left the Forest of Dean on Saturday feeling OK.. and even managed to get some sleep on Saturday night.  Feeling didn't last though, Sunday morning came and no way could I eat, I didn't even want to talk that much on the drive down. On arrival at the forest I was feeling worse and did my best to keep away from the race.  Like last time the venue was buzzing with excitement and all that did was make me feel worse.  I snapped at Darrel as he got my bike ready, and felt sick.  In an attempt to keep calm I didn't warm up on the race track but stole myself away to warm up on the top sections of another track away from the crowds  

Once I settled on the bike I went to walk the track to see how the relentless practising that morning had changed it, which wasn't much.  Then it was the sit and wait time.

Having met the other girls on Saturday helped as we all joked and chatted at the start, then as the race proceeded our numbers whittled down as riders disappeared into the woods.  Then it was my turn, like last time I was shaking on the start and as the beep counted down I trembled more.

On the 5th beep I had no choice but to go.. my first run was terrible I knew the track, I knew all my lines, but nerves took over and I just felt ridged on the bike, hitting the wrong line before crossing the forestry road annoyed me, and after the forestry road a braking bump took me by surprise and I bumped off the track towards a spectator.  I  tried to gather my thoughts but a nasty root section was next and I took the wrong line into it and bumped my way down the roots, surprised to remain on the bike I carried on down the rest of the track to the finish.  All the girls met and asked how it had gone, I could barely talk.. and to be honest I'd got down without falling off but far from the confident ride I had hoped for.

As the women ran first I had plenty of time to watch the other riders head down and cheer on the racing partners of the other ladies.  Then all to soon it was time to head up to the top for the 2nd race run.  Given my bad first run I really felt very negative about trying again but I knew I could do better and there was only one way to find out.

So back onto the start ramp with those horrible beeps.. As soon as the light went green I left, pedalling over the mud at the start I managed to get the bike on the right line and clicked up a gear as I pedalled towards the first table top, I felt the bike go into the air and then land as I headed towards some roots steps, pushing the bike forward I didn't even look at them, but did hear Darrel cheering me on.  The section before the forestry road I hit my line, holding the bike on route and diving across the forestry road down into the woods, this time I staying on track and taking the correct line into the nasty root section.  Rather than looking at the track I let go of the brakes allowing gravity and the bike to take me down and enjoying the ride, by now my legs and shoulder muscles were on fire but I had less than 100m to go so holding on I bumped and crashed my way to the finish, crossing the line with a massive smile on my face.  At the finish I gasped for breath, exhilarated and buzzing from the rush.

I hoped my second run would be faster, but having felt so much more in control of the bike I suspected it to be slower so the euphoria to discover I was 1 second faster was the cherry on the cake.