May 31, 2010

It's interesting about events; when you are at one and it's all busy and crowded it's hard to imagine being anywhere else...and yet simultaneously there are many events going on , like this weekend our Wild Bettys photographer , Angela Read, completed her first marathon in Ottawa, way to go Angela!!

This past weekend was the Canada Cup #3 race at Hardwood Hills. I was the only Wild Betty to race the event, Emily was there as support, which was awesome. There were racers from Quebec, B.C. , New York as well as Ontario. Emily and I met all sorts of people in the feed zone and around the course...that autofeeder is like a new puppy!! We even met the chainsaw carver, Mr Powell,  from Windham Mountain, New York. Last year at the US Cup at Windham, dotted around the course between the new bridges and trails, along with the yurt for international flare, were chainsaw carvings of trolls and gnomes!! and now I've met the artist...apparently his works are for sale if you're planning on going to the World Cup at Windham this year, you can get one. 

I had hoped to see Erica at the race, she has moved up to the Elite Category, congrats Erica, but she had a bicycle issue and couldn't register in time; I had hoped to see Holly, but she must be resting from a very busy few weeks of constant travel and racing, rest up Holly; and I had hoped to see Becky, but she was working at her new job, though she was able to make it out on Saturday to Albion, everybody doing different things.

This weekend was the Wild Bettys first destination ride to Albion Hills. I hear it was a great success and all 6 Bettys had a lot of fun, and a few spills by the sound of it, with some bruises to show off!!! We're already busy planning the next ride at the end of June...stay tuned for details.

The other thing about events is anxiety.  Often on the morning of the event I wake up and think.."i don't wanna go", 'It's going to be hot', 'it's going to be cold', 'my parts ache', 'my stomach's nervous' etc.  but each time i get to that negative self talk place I need to push beyond, pack up and go and every event has been more than worth it.

This past week things were going really well, the weather had been perfect for riding and I had the opportunity to ride with Mical Dyck of the Trek team and Patrick Dennis of the Trek Store Team, who are also coached by Steve Neal. I was going so much faster than I would usually go....they were going slower, but never mind that, it was terrific when all of a sudden I  was following behind Mical who expertly took a different line than I had planned down a ramp...split second decision time...follow her or follow what I know I can do....AH OH wrong choice!...next thing I know I'm crashing into the leafy debris alongside the trail...mouthful of dry old leaves and a very, very sore shoulder...can't stand up, too dizzy, too painful....and all I can think is:  DAMNIT!! it was all going so well, how's my bike, can I still do the rest of the lap, what about the rest of the day...yikes!!..... anyway, now I'm  sporting some spidertech tape on my left shoulder, it is much improved after a few treatments, tons of ice and anti-inflammatories and on Sunday  the sheer agony of racing Hardwood in 32 degree weather was enough to make me forget all about my sore shoulder for the 2 hours and have a huge sense of satisfaction for completing the race, riding the whole course this year, including that silly boneshaker and the big rock/ramp.

I'm not saying that there aren't times when a person must bow to things beyond their control, and to risk further injury is often stupid, but I could have chosen to make more of the shoulder by my mood and allowing negative talk to take over and miss out on a great experience at the race.

It's all about the choices we make and man, are there lots of choices in this world we live in!!

Ride On!

Melinda.