Catch up time!

BY: Donna Morris

Published: 18th August, 2014

Since coming off at Bristol bike fest I haven't really been on my bike much! Over two weeks off with stitches, putting me on the sideline,for one of my favourite venues of the year(Margam) then i mixed it up and dabbled in a few sprint triathlons. Sherwood I was never going to race, as I dislike that sort of gradient and my legs are not built for power! Then I managed to get a couple of little rides in between work and the kids, looking forward to another of my favoured races, Hopton.

Although this year due to the lack of masters entered I was going to have to race in the seniors! I was up for the laugh but on the Wednesday before I came down with a peculiar bug, stomach cramps, and rigours and no energy. I tried to brush it a side and go for a ride on the Thursday but after nearly passing out, followed by hot and cold flushes I reluctantly curled up and did nothing Friday, hoping I was going to be right for the weekend. My head told me I was, so I went on the Saturday to do a practise , I loved the course, something that was really going to suit me, however on completing one lap I was sweating buckets, and felt completely delirious. No race for me Sunday! Bugger! The week after I just did a bit of gentle swimming and did one ride on the bike, desperate to be back on my bike for 24/12.

Bonty 24/12 is always an all round fantastic event, nothing as far as I'm concerned can be faulted. Especially this year as the weather was amazing! Lou did a great write so I'm not going to bore you with my team version, but all I can say is I was so pleased to be back on my bike again, and feel like I was racing once again!

The following two weeks I have been on a very chaotic shift pattern, due to summer hols and kids activities etc so consisted of very little time on the bike may be 4 hours over the 2weeks. I purposely in the run up to Cannock did not want to be injured so I just swam!!

Before going after Phil having a severe sense of humour failure and drive to ride/race his bike after sherwood and hopton which he will get round to explaining in due course! He wasn't really psyched to go at all, so all aboard we set off, with a few big sighs! Anyway we arrived late sat afternoon and I quickly got kitted up and set off for a recce. The first techy section I stopped had a look what all the fuss was about and to my surprise, didn't think there was much to it. So I just took a run up and managed it no probs. much to my surprise, great numbers were unsure about it and hadn't ridden it and a few even asked me what did do? My answer "nothing really just not to fast, not too slow lean back and ride it!". On to the next section the rock garden. I looked at it and thought I wasn't even going to attempt it as I had only just got my new bike and having only ridden it for twenty minutes up the road the week before. I wasn't chancing hitting those rocks! So b line for me and many,many others too. The course was pretty flat, and consisted Mainly of a lot of twisty singletrack. The next Tech section was pretty tame and no concern for me, a few short little climbs, a wooded section then the last ? Tech bit. Which had a b line. You then weaves you way back around the arena, making it a good spectator course.

Phil then headed out and came back to my surprise saying he didn't feel something was quite right about the first drop off! After a few more were taking about it my head was having second thoughts! Could I do it again? Anyway he felt I was wise not to do the rock section and although he thought the course was fun, he wasn't a huge fan of it in relation to his strengths.

After an early night as I had worked Friday night and only got in early Saturday morning, race day was here. 1045 soon came around, butterflies filled my tummy and after not raced in that context since the beginning of June I was a tad nervous to say the least! The gun went and I had a fairly good start, on the fire road descent a few went past and the on the slight grassy incline a few more went by. However, at the drop off I managed to gain a few places as they took the b line. Then it was follow my leader through all the singletrack.

Unfortunately myself and another technical vet ride got stuck behind some non techy riders and need up comming to a halt having to get off, push and couldn't gain momentum to get by. Eventually the rider in front got by but I didn't get an overtaking opportunity for a while after and by this point I had lost touch with the guys in front. How eer I had Jen Thompson not far behind me, pushing me all the way.

After the first lap I though I was gonna keel over, I had forgot what intensity it was to race the nationals! Anyway I did managed to continue. But had 3 further uneventful laps only taking the b line on tech rocks. I found it difficult after lap 2 to push as I had pulled away from Jen and had no one in my sights in front. Until the end of the last lap I caught sight of flo in her blue strada kit! I knew she was still a good way ahead but until now I had nothing to push me on, although I knew I was nevr going to make up those minutes, just wished I had maybe pushed a bit harder on lap 3, and I may have got a bit closer to the leaders again, that I had lost touch with on lap one.

In the end I came over the line in a very pleased 5th place combined cat masters/experts out of 12/13ish I think. Not bad for old mummy of the cat, second time of actually riding my new bike and having so much time off from not racing! Well done to all the other girls!! Top stuff! I just must get some power in my legs, to get to the techy sections at the front of the pack, not the tail end!

Thank you to all the organisers, a great weekend of racing. Enjoyable course and very good for spectators! Topped off with phil having a stroking ride to win the masters and to take the overall National Series win!! Well deserved dear!!

Thanks once again to my sponsors for all your support to make it all happen!

Donna Morris
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Donna Morris

Mum of 2 cherubs, keen to get better mountain biker, wife of Phil and mini manager of XCracer.com team

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Catch up time!

BY: Donna Morris

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Donna Morris

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