After all the winter training, finally the race season is about to begin, and my nerves are building in the background. Will all that training pay off? Have I improved? Who's made the biggest gains over winter, me or them?Last month I had my low key season openers and went through the motions of racing again..... The results were polar opposites, 1xWin and 1xDNF!! I relearned how it feels to go to bed and not really sleep the night before, how it feels to travel to an event, to check out a new course, how to warm up and get mentally ready, how to hurt myself in the way only competing in an event can. But most of all remembered what it is I love about sport and that's, competing.
Now,,,, With the first European Xterra series race only 3 weeks away. Flights, hotels and hire cars have been booked and paid for.
(as a "semi" pro I do all of the logistical work involved with organising my travel and accommodation to each and every event as well as racking up a serious bill which I attempt to clear at the end of each month by teaching children to swim at local pools during any free hrs I have.)So with that sorted it only leaves me to arrive in Portugal in the best possible shape, lean mean and full of confidence.
This time last year I went over to Lanzarote for a big over loading week of training. That big week of miles and hills, stood me in great stead for the season and gave me a massive lift in confidence with a knowledge of what I was physically capable of. In an effort to replicate that type of training effect this year, I'm taking some time off from work next week, in order to fit in a very similar block of training. After that it will be a 2 week taper down and a couple of fast races to get me in the shape I want for the start line of Xterra Portugal.
And Black Park??????? Well that's this Sunday, a cross country mountain bike race, last time I did one of these it was:
"a total baptism of fire in terms of holding a maximum heart rate for over 90minutes, while having to concentrate totally on where your wheels are going and what's coming up next!" Just the thing needed to help my Xterra performances!This year I'm planning on riding xc races when ever possible to improve in what is my weakest stage of the off road triathlon. This Sunday I will be riding in the Masters (30-39 cat), after which I hope to have finished in a high enough position to prove I'm capable of riding in the Expert category at any further mountianbike races I do.
Masters race for trophies and good, Experts race for cash! "I'm meant to be a professional after all" I wish I could say differently but there is not much cash sponsorship for Xterra Pro's out there at the moment, the big bucks are reserved for the Olympic or long distance boys and girls. I am fortunate to be supported with enough shoes and kit as well as energy foods and maintenance products to get me through my season. So where ever possible I have to follow the prize money!
So for now its onwards to black park and a fast hard hit out before the big week begins..................................
