So we all know I’ve had an injury for the past 14 months, we won’t bang on about that any more however just a quick blog about the past week and what I have come to discover about myself. (how very deep and meaningful of me!)
Being injured makes you appreciate racing, training and life much more!!
When I was first injured I went away with Al and a few mates to the Tathra Enduro. I sat in the back of the ute on the side of the track the whole day sulking. Actually I sulked in the car the whole way up, the night before, during race briefing, during the race, after the race, and the whole way back. I didn’t want anything to do with cycling, bikes or even talk about Al’s race. I was the ultimate SOOK!! Fast forward 12 months (funnily enough I rode the Tathra trails this weekend one year on and loved every moment of it. ) and I have sat on many more sidelines of races and this sooky attitude has subsided thank goodness!! As I sat on the sidelines of the Australian 24 hr solo’s last weekend, a race I have always wanted to do but last year and this year injury hasn’t allowed it, I was totally fine with being on the other side of the fence, literally, as support crew had to stay behind a fence!!
I was worried that I would be sulking and annoyed that I wasn’t riding around Majura Pines trying to win that Aussie title. However as I passed Al his drink bottles and gels, all my thoughts were on his race and what I can do to help him succeed. By the way, being on the other side of the fence is WAY more stressful and harder than actually riding your bike for 24hours!!!
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| Amy, Rachel and Hanny tearin up Stromlo |
I was just so wrapt that I been for a mountain bike ride with Beth and Seb Friday morning, ridden at Stromlo Friday afternoon with Amy, Rachel and Hanny, and had done a 20minute run that morning that I couldn’t care less that I wasn’t racing my bike. I had been able to go out and do all those other things pain free and it was so RAD!!!!!!
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| Jarrad,Po,Beth,Seb and Al tearin up Bruce Ridge |
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| oh stromlo how I love you, Amy and I about to launch down Skyline |
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| a happy camper cooking porridge for breakky |
So even though being injured has sucked, and I have missed out on some awesome races, I have gained so much more in appreciating what being injury free and being able to do other awesome stuff, it has also changed my attitude about racing and not being a sookylala when I’m not the one racing!!! Having said that I am keen as mustard, frothing at the mouth, ready to rumble so excited for when I do get to race next. Fingers crossed it’s going to be on May 20th, not at Italy liked originally planned, but at Lysterfield for the Chase the Sun Enduro Series Race 1.
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| Loki and I cruisin Nowa Nowa first ride back. Lok smashed me |
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| the happy couple.... |
Oh and the other thing I discovered about myself was I have a massive phobia of riding of bridges as I did sook it in Tathra on the awesome Bridge track. We spent a few days riding down the Sapphire Coast – Mandeni and Tathra, I recommend you check it out they’re awesome!! A big thanks to Liv/Giant for the tent, a big thanks to Seb and Beth for putting up with us over the past few nights, sorry you couldn’t get rid of us!! A big thanks to all the people we rode with in Canberra – Hanny, Amy, Rachel, Paula, Jarrad I had loads of fun!!!
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| Al braving the SeeSaw. |
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| Tathra tracks rock! |
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| Packin it trying to ride a bridge with about 1cm dropoff, needless to say I didnt even attempt to black diamond bridges. Practice makes perfect I guess... |
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| we only got a little bit lost...and only had to jump one river crossing |
A fantastic little article there Courtney. I met you briefly up at Majura over Easter. My wife had entered the 6+6 category and the day before the race painfully found out a "slight niggle" in her back turned out to something much more serious - serious enough for her to pull out before the race had even started - a race she had trained so hard for. Naturally she was pretty gutted, but is getting treatment. I don't think she will be off the bike for as long as you have been off but to see you remain so positive is an attitude everyone should adopt. Hopefully my wife will retain her positive energy and attitude also! Fingers crossed on your recovery and being back on the bike very soon :)
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