WMBS Forest Fields

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BY: Donna Morris

Published: 22nd April, 2013

Forest Fields Round 3 WMBS

Why do we never really listen to our bodies, until it is too late? I learnt this weekend that after a hard race you need to rest or do a short spin. However, I over did it last week and by Friday my legs were screaming. My rest day came a little too late and although by Sunday morning they felt better, it was a different story when I got on the bike! They were fairly zapped before start and I must admit after the first lap I didn't know whether I was going to be physically able to do 4 laps.

 

I was kind of hoping Mel Alexander (the speedy woman of the West!) would lap me, but unfortunately she didn't so I had a very peaceful 4^th lap as the riders behind me got pulled.

Six women shivered on the start line awaiting the whistle. Off we went and I followed Mel into the first corner and off up the grassy field, until we got to the fire road and Sophie Fennel (junior)from Malvern sport nipped on by, shortly followed by Sarah Barnwell. I just tried to keep on Sarah's wheel. I managed to stay fairly close until a stick got caught in my rear derailer, half way up the mammoth climb. I had to dismount and untangle it, by this point Sarah was out of my sights. Once on the fire road descent I put my foot down and tried to avoid being hit by the oose stones, flying up. It was then down into the fun single-track. Rooty and off camber and plenty to keep you on your toes! Once out of the woods you headed down another descent but steeper and shorter than the last one, which then turned tightly into a steep, leafy descent to take you along the fence line. This bit is my favourite bit as in fun bit! Twistying through the trees, and over lots of roots. Once out on the fire road again you headed into a gully and down through the stream, followed by some tyre hugging sludge! A part of the course I had the most trouble with, I failed to completely ride it on the 2 middle laps, it just ate me up! I couldn't see Sarah ahead so I just tried to keep going at a fair pace. In the last little section of woods, roots, little bridges you were back to the arena. I could just see Sarah coming out of the feed zone when I was coming into the arena. I wasn't that far back but my legs didn't have the extra power today to get to her.

I was in 4^th place by the end of lap 1 and this is how it stayed until the end of lap 3, when Sarah got a puncture and had to retire. The last lap for me (which I really didn't need) was a case of getting around in one piece. I knew I had a big gap over the riders behind and quite possibly I was the only one on the course now, so a lonely little ride for me for lap 4. Until I caught up some of the tail end vet riders, which I managed to pip to the line to bring home 3^rd place for XCrcaer.com.

The course was brilliant a real mix of brutal, technical climbs and rooty, fast descents. The organisation and set up couldn't be faulted and of course the atmosphere was second to none with the running commentary of Jay Horton (Fully Sussed).

 

Well done to everyone who raced and thank you to everyone involved with putting the race on, from the landowner's right through to the marshals.

A Pleasing result for me, looking at my lap times but just a shame my legs were not 100% with me. However on a plus note I am fully over my chest infection and had no breathing problems, unlike my husband Phil, who will be telling you about his disastrous, frustrating race shortly.

 

Mummy Morris Riding for:

 Xcracer.com

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