XC Racer Blog Post

Donnas first race

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BY: phil Morris

Published: 26th March, 2012


The series opener has come and gone, but for 2012 it was a little different. With Phil been such a enthusiastic, keen racer, I rarely get a look in, with having 2 children to contend with when we go away racing. However, having been to Sherwood plenty of times now,  never riding it on a bike thou!! And Phil always highlighting that it's his least favourite venue, due to the lack of hills! I quite liked the idea of dashing through the forest!! So off to Sherwood we went after finishing work on Friday night and arrived at midnight after a 4 hour plus foggy drive, to a padlocked barrier!!

O well nothing like parking up outside the gates on the side of the road for our first night!! So as soon as the bin men opened up at 6am, we drove on in and set up camp!
Although I had brought my bike, I was still not 100% about riding, as I don't really ride my bike. But having got a new bike recently I was under pressure to actually use it!! 5 weeks in the garage not been used!! My main concern was not been able to complete the course and struggling with the gears etc, because I'm not used to the bike.

After getting up bright and early, we headed into Mansfield to the splash centre and took the kids to the wave/leisure pool, had some dinner and then headed back to the race venue.

By this point the weather had greatly improved from the doom and gloom and we had rays of sunshine!! Oh, oh! Eek! I have to race thinking to myself, when just then Phil said " heck it's 2pm now you better get and sign on and have a practice as it starts at 3"

That's it then committed I am!! Signed on, got dressed and off I went for a tootle around the course. By 20 to 3 I was still on the course. (Not what I had intended, but I'm sure I will be organised if I am ever to do it again!!!) I quickly got back to Phil and the kids and after a few mutterings form him like, "where the heck have you been? Get lost?"

With no time to spare I rode down to the start and lined up with 9 other riders. Most of them having competed before and I believe all of them riding regularly in one way or other. On the line I knew I would be fit enough aerobically, but just not sure how my body would actually tolerate the whole biking thing!

Bang! Goes the gun and off I took I was in about 5th going out of the arena and by the time we got to the first but of single track I was in 6th.The first problem came at the first climb, where the rider in front came off and this meant I had to stop, there goes the front bunch!! Off down the twisty singletrack! Never mind I will just keep going at a pace, because all I want to achieve was not to be last, get round the course, try and ride it all, not break anything and try to stay upright!!

On my practice lap, the only bit I didn't ride was the second downhill section it was tricky- well I think so! Mainly because of the angle you had to come at it from!

After gibing it on the practice I still had not plucked up courage for the first lap and down it I jogged!! The un-rideable sandy/muddy climb (well to me and I would say all the other riders in my race??) was missed on every occasion ( the only bit of the course I failed to complete!!). Phil actually said although he rode it, there were some  elites who, were running up it!! So I don't feel that bad after all!!

Towards the end of the first lap, I felt like I was going to be sick, I think because my practice lap ran pretty much into the race, I was a little lacking some energy, mixed with flutter belly= sick.

Thanks Niall, Accelerade gel I consumed! Gulp gulp! It wasn't long and we were at the arena. A nice feeling looking out for my babies cheering me on!! (Such a spur on!!) After coming into the first single track again I felt a bit better 2nd lap I was determined to ride the logs, well a least 2 as the middle log was too scary for me and I thought my poor chain ring might get damaged so I gibed that one! However I was really chuffed that I managed to ride both the downhill sections. Proud mummy I am, mainly because Phil thought I wouldn't have the guts to ride them!! I didn't really know whether I was riding in last position at this point, but I didn't care I was just buzzing from riding the downhill!! I could see 2 riders in front of me and on all the slightly hilly bits I would get closer to them and thought I might be able to catch them, but then as soon as the flat bits came, they just zoomed from me!! My mini legs couldn't pump the power!!! By this point my shoulders and back were in bits!!!

Half way around the second lap I thought just ride and stay on ya bike!!! And that is what I did and a little sprint by myself to the finish line!!

First bike race complete!!

All in all, I really enjoyed it in a funny kind of way apart from following the race after dismounting the bike(my under carriage- was not so impressed- I think I need a different saddle!!) ouch!!

I'm sure I will do a few more races, but it doesn't quite attract me as much as running and swimming, but I'm keen to give anything a go and a little variety is good for you!!

Thanks to anyone who cheered me on and helped over the weekend. We had fab weather, nearly all the family raced. Hali-rae really got into her racing and raced really well, such an improvement on last year!! Thanks to Louise and Hollie who helped her out!! Just looking forward now to the day when my little Ryley will be able to pedal for his first time!! Fingers crossed!

Well done to all team members who raced at the weekend and well done to all involved with the weekend. That's it from me until Dalby possibly??? No promises thou!!

Donna Morris, Xcracer.com





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phil Morris

Fireman, dad, racer and team stalwart...

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