My big day in the Borders

It brightened up and I gave myself a talking to. This was the first of four I’d signed up for. If I didn’t go this evening, what were the chances of going to the others. And anyway – what was the worst that could happen?!

So, I went along. It was hard! I was with a bunch (not the bunch) for a while. I took a turn on the front. I felt strong. Then they all piled passed me and that was me, time trialling for 25 minutes, in the rain and hail. Brrr! I believe I may have come last, but I haven’t checked. Looking back, I did kind of enjoy it. I worked much harder than I would have done if I’d been out on my own, and let’s face it, I probably wouldn’t have gone out if I’d been on my own. And I really enjoyed riding in a bunch. Next time it’ll feel easier, and I won’t make the mistake of taking a big turn on the front!

So the Champs. I looked at the sign up list. I recognised a lot of names. I decided that it must be because I’d read of their successes in race reports and they must all be really strong. I wondered what I’d be thinking of entering the British champs. I starting looking at their rankings on British Cycling. I had to stop myself. What was I doing?! I realised that I had two anxieties. One – would I come last? Two – would people think I had ideas above my station? Well, I decided that the first was a real possibility, but so what! Someone’s got to. As for the second, if anyone did think that, I probably shouldn’t care what they thought. Having sorted out that little battle going on in my head, I turned my energy to getting ready.

Race day came and I was excited. Loads of my riding buddies were entered in the marathon, and I had time for a quick catch up at registration before heading off for final preparations. I was really looking forward to a big day out on the bike. I’d ridden this event before it was the champs, three years ago now, and I’d remembered the route as tough, but fun.

Up at the start line I was gridded – maybe I belonged here after all! We had a neutralised 4 mile start on the road and I felt good. By the time we hit the first fire road climb and the race started, I was warmed up and ready to go. 

There was a LOT of climbing – over 2,300 metres, and it was long – 76 km according to Garmin. I felt really strong for the first four hours. I was getting into a rhythm on the climbs and most of the descents were fast and fun. I was fuelling on energy drink and a gel every hour and it seemed to be working for me. 

We came down Cadden Bank into Innerleithen at just over 50km. I got there in under 3 and a half hours and was pleased with my progress. Someone spectating told me that there were only seven women in front of me. I was delighted and this spurred me up the switchbacks at the start of the Inners XC route. 

 
I couldn’t really remember the course from here, and I didn’t have kilometres displayed on my Garmin. A friend caught me on the climb up to Minch Moor. I told him I was feeling a bit broken and asked him what we still had ahead of us. A climb to the top of Minch Moor, a descent and then some undulating track to the top of the final descent.

As I climbed up Minch Moor some non championship riders came by me and I started to wonder if I was going backwards. There was nothing for it but to keep on pedalling. I had my last gel at the four hour mark.

The last hour and a half was tough. There was a cold headwind and I couldn’t seem to keep any heat in me, even when I was climbing. My hands were numb and shifting was becoming a struggle. I stopped and put on the little windbreaker that I’d been carrying in case of emergencies and immediately began to feel better. The end must surely be near.

I crested a small rise and could see in the distance that ‘undulating’ trail I’d been told about. There may have been some swearing. This was definitely a mountain biker’s idea of undulating, but I felt grateful that the true nature of what lay ahead of me had not been disclosed back at Innerleithen.

I got my head down. I was out of fuel, hungry and cold. I regretted not packing an extra gel, or checking out the course profile properly, but it was too late to do anything about it. I’d passed the last feed station and there was only one option. I had to get in. The final descent was fast and flowy, which was just as well as by then I’d lost the feeling in my hands again. All I had to do was keep my head up, and not puncture!

I made it over the line at 5 hours 34 mins and could not have been more relieved. I hate being cold, and I’m not much of a fan of being hungry either, so the combination had me feeling pretty ropey in the last hour or so. When I crossed the finish line and was greeted by my friend who’d been out supporting in the cold all day I felt like crying!

After a change, some (lots of) food and a catch up with friends in the warmth of race HQ, I began to feel more human. Turns out I was seventh in the Champs. A pleasant surprise to end an exhausting and tough, but great day out on the bike.

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