CRAZY TIMES....but just keeps Ian on his pedals!

All those years ago when I met Ian in Portugal on a mountain biking holiday, he must have thought that week I was the best thing that ever happened to him....ok maybe I'm being biased....I'm sure he was thinking life can't get much better than this with his 'easy going' Aussie wife to be. Guiding everyday in the Algarve or Lefkada sunshine with his 'lovely' fiance by his side; Heading to Chamonix and teaching his 'wonderful' wife how to ride Alpine single track for the first time a week before the first guests arrived....ok perhaps I don't need to add sooooo many 'adjectives', but this is my story :)

 

I learnt quickly how to ride a bike and had the time of my life working in the mountains. I discovered how much I loved to challenge myself both physically up the climbs and on technical trails too. Plus I loved guiding, and meeting people from all walks or rather rides of life. Nothing stopped me from the moment the sun rose until I collapsed in a heap at night already planning the next day's adventures in my mind....my nick name used to be 'the Energiser Bunny'.

 

Ian and I decided that life was not busy enough for the two us to simply be mountain bike guides for another company for the rest of our mountain biking days....instead we dreamed of living in the mountains and running our own mountain bike holiday and skills coaching company....AND why not race full time too....heck the future is full of trails and tales that need exploring. Back then it was easy and we managed. The Potters moved to Luchon in the French Pyrenees to start the first chapter of 'A Quick Release Holidays', we built a home, worked from 9am until close to midnight 6 days a week, yet still found time to train every day and travel everywhere to race different events, from 24hr solo missions to XC all over the world. I loved the adventure of simply riding my bike and trying to be better at it every day, however that may be. The best part was being able to do this with my husband Ian Potter, who is also my best friend and who knows the real me and what I'm all about better than anyone ever will.

 

I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but something changed inside me at some point. I can't pin point a date or time. Suddenly everything I was and have been doing every day over the past 7 years that has brought a smile to my face has started to become hard work. Suddenly I stopped having fun and have been struggling to make sense of this new person who seems to think she can get rid of the 'Energiser Bunny'.

 

Since March and the start of the race season I have been having more battles inside my brain then you can imagine, leaving me completely worn out by the time I even roll up to start the next race. The first World Cup at Dalby was a disaster and so unlike me to pull out of a race.....I have ridden my bike with a dislocated knee for 14hrs and never quit, so why should I be quitting a two hour race now. 

 

I kept my chin up and headed to Houffalize for the second round of the World Cup Series, hoping that a restful few days would be just what I needed.

 

HOUFFALIZE, BELGIUM

Besides Mini Blue (AQR mini bus) breaking down en route, a missed ferry crossing and arriving at our base in Belgium at the early hour of 4:30am on Tuesday morning...it was quite a smooth journey for the Potters. I had 5 days to chill and prepare for the next World Cup race. The course was different from previous years and due to the amount of climbing I didn't spend too long on it because I still felt weak and wanted to save any ounce of energy I had left inside me for race day.

 

On race day I just hoped some racing adrenaline would be the answer to help me wake up and face the best mountain bike racers here in Belgium. But as I took off again there was nothing happening in the leg department. My reactions were flat and once I hit the descent again the dizziness returned and I crashed...lots of ouches!!! I managed to keep going, but thoughts of quitting circulated my mind again. Something just didn't feel right....I'm sure I keep saying that. Ian and I had discussed the race plan that morning and it was simply to FINISH, if I felt any better then I would do my darnest not to get lapped. But I couldn't handle the pressure of anything more than that and just wanted to try and have fun like I used to. Every climb was more effort than it should be, but although I didn't feel quick I started to overtake alot of people on the last two laps. It was bizarre because I was still chugging away trying to stay on my bike, and even though I was passing people it didn't help me speed up in anyway. I expected to be pulled out one lap down, then realised I made it through, but I had no extra buzz like I normally would experience at the end of any race like I used to. I finished 65th, but even though I was higher up in the results ladder than I expected to be, there was nothing Ian or anyone could say to make me feel any better because I didn't feel noticeably ill on the outside, but unbalanced and very wrong on the inside....as my Dad used to say...'It's all in your head!'

 

OFFENBURG, GERMANY

The plan was to stay in Germany for 3 weeks and in that time recover, train on what would be the next world cup course, and also hit two races close by in an attempt to earn some much needed UCI points. Ian and I decided to think of it as a holiday in an attempt to help my brain and body feel better. I managed a 4hr ride with Ian as we checked out a marked marathon loop. Mentally I focused on positivity, Ian was not allowed to grumble about anything....even the weather! I didn't even wear a heart rate monitor so I wouldn't feel like I was training. I enjoyed myself, and ignored the flat feeling inside my legs. But then the next morning I felt 100 times worse. So more recovery later in an attempt to feel better for the planned Swiss Racer's Cup we were heading to on the weekend. Then the shakiness and what felt like a racing heart beat started happening more frequently. Every night I was laying awake trying to control my breathing and at times freaking out because I couldn't understand why I felt so stressed. Every morning my heart rate would be 20 beats higher than it should be, and I just didn't want to get out of bed.

 

Ian decided on Friday morning that we should head back to the UK for the second round of the British Mountain Bike Series. He thought seeing friends and racing familiar faces would be less stressful then heading to the race in Switzerland. It was also a much cheaper trip as the airport was only 45 minutes from our base in Offenburg and just made more sense since I really enjoy racing in the UK....so the next morning we took off for London.

 

UK

It was quite surreal turning up to practice the course and seeing people who weren't expecting to see the Potters do a double take as we appeared. But for me it was a huge relief to be surrounded by friends I have only known through racing and riding a bike, it's always great for me to have a laugh with Joolze, and see James and the AQR Race Team in full blue and red glory, and catch up with Yeti's Stu, my racing mate Mel Spath and partner Ryan, British Cycling soigneur Sarah and even Griff was there from TREK & Bontrager who I didn't expect to see, and I had such a nice chat with Matt from Torq, Ben from KTM/Totally Dynamic and the list goes on really.....so many friendly faces on a typical drizzly UK racing weekend. Although the fatigue still lingered I was really excited to see my mate Tracey Mosely who I didn't expect to see at an XC race, and who suggested we go out and practice the course. It was nice to not even think about tomorrow's race, but just find out what Tracey had been up to and to enjoy the time I had trying to follow her lines....that girl finds speed out of nowhere and if anyone tells me that course didn't flow, just ride with Tracey and her extra wide cross country bars :)

 

Race day was another 'de ja vu' experience, as once again legs had nothing in them. I had no adrenaline rushing through my veins and the mental fatigue hit me hard once more. I had no race plan I just tried to focus on racing as hard as I could and staying on my bike. Lilly Mathews took over the lead and looked strong. An unexpected crash left me filling dizzy on the first or second lap (I was seeing stars, so you can't expect me to know what lap it was) where I completely lost sight of Lilly and then another crash later on left me with the chain stuck behind my chain stay....I would like to say clumbsiness is part of my charm, but I'm not usually this clumbsy (grrrr). Maddie Horton was always right on my back wheel encouraging me to keep going as she passed me both times. Normally I would give myself a good telling off for being so clumbsy, but didn't even have the will to scream at my brain to wake up as I just wanted to finish the race unscathed.

 

I managed to finish the race in second place behind Lilly Mathews who took a well deserved win, and Maddie Horton in third, but even though I should be happy with a podium I was more concerned that either I was overtrained, unfit or still not well...but not really knowing what my plan should be to get back up to race speed worried me. The Devil doing star jumps on my shoulder told me it was time to train harder, longer and to learn to suffer ALOT more, but the Angel practising yoga on the other shoulder knew better and said it was time to stop! The problem is I don't enjoy stopping :(

 

LUCHON, FRANCE...A home holiday.

Ian and I returned to Germany and decided it was time to sort myself out, well Ian decided. I didn't want to leave and still hoped that I would be fit and ready for the next world cup, but I wasn't improving and I was still struggling with the panic attacks and shortness of breath. I was also over reacting to the silliest of things that I can laugh about now, but at the time I was deadly serious about...like Ian should not be teling me that Vampire bats might fly into our room if I leave the window open at night, that just set me off big time and caused Ian's ever expanding bold patch to grow wider as he put up with another wifely rantings.

 

Ian was contemplating taking me back to the UK for tests, but the thought of travelling again freaked me out. Ian got some advice from Cycling Australia's Coach Neil Ross (thankyou), and before I knew it I was banned from emailing or work of any kind...which caused a Potter feud, even though I knew it was for my own good (yes I admit that now). I was to rest completely and the next day we were off to see a sports doctor. Well we were trying to get there as I kept forgetting things I needed in order to visit the doctor, and what should have been a 10 minute walk, turned into a 40 minute telling off as Ian couldn't believe I remembered to bring the book I'm reading (third book in the Twilight Series....a must read :)  ), but not my wallet with my E111 card and money. Finally I was sent to the lab in Luchon for blood tests...ouch! I hate needles. Would you believe I had the test in the morning and then I could collect the results that afternoon, talk about speedy.

 

So we decided to do some gardening whilst we waited. Potter gardening in the forests surrounding Luchon. We rode to the top of our new favourite trail that we discovered in the winter called 'Destination Unknown' (based on a song Ian likes) and started clearing trees that had fallen over from the snow in February. At the end of the trail we had 5 minutes before the lab closed, so to my relief we decided to continue trail clearing and head to the lab tomorrow, as I was in no rush to find out that my head was playing tricks on me and there was nothing wrong with me at all. Ian looked uncertain, but he has been tip toeing around me lately, so I gues he decided that possibly he needed another Luchon cross country loop to put a smile on his face and to help his brain cope with the Mrs :)

 

The next trail was in really good condition and Ian and I rode the descent steadily incase there were unexpected trees down on the switchbacks. Suddenly I was over the handle bars and trying to stop myself with my left leg, my damaged left knee that has been behaving itself recently popped out of place and left me in a world of pain. I would like to say I was calm and in control of the situation....BUT let's just say the frustration inside of me was too much for another added dysfunction and the flood gates burst open in full force. I just wanted Ian to give me a shovel and bury me there and then!!!!!

 

So now my nick name from yester-year 'Hop Along' has returned to haunt me again. I cannot run or walk properly as I type this, but on the plus I can pedal my bike so I'm not down and out just yet :) It was time to walk or rather hop to the lab and doctor's for test results. I was having a bad French day. Some days I speak french really well and then other days I forget the simplest of words. So there was alot of sign language and drawings and french/english dictionaries...but when the doctor made a gesture like he was going to slice my neck open I could feel another panic attack coming on and needed Ian to decipher what the heck the doctor was going on about.

 

As it turns out I'm not going crazy after all (if anyone refutes that I will show you crazy). The results of the blood tests indicate a parathormone imbalance and I have to have xrays tomorrow and then see a specialist who will determine the course of treatment. So it's a big 'PHEW' in the Potter health department, because I just want to get back up to speed again. But I'm also relieved that Ian has stuck around as I offer yet another challenge to our Potter adventures. So soon the 'Energiser Bunny' will be back with recharged batteries...but can't say for sure yet when that will be...but I must be on the mend as I look back and read another blogful of an essay (I was trying to keep this one short and to the point) where a week ago I couldn't finish a sentence.....YAY I'm back!!!!!

 

As always thankyou to COTIC BONTRAGER for your endless support, and those who have taken the time to help me through this thorny patch....hopefully the future trails will be less prickly.

 

And of course thankyou to Mr P....wouldn't life be dull without a crazy KP?  :)

 

Cheerios for now

KPxo

A Quick Release Holidays
Tel: 0845 1304824

http://www.aquickrelease.com

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RACE REPORT - 2010 WORLD CUP SERIES ROUND 1 DALBY FOREST, GREAT BRITAIN

Well I had my feet up all week, I overdosed on paracetamol, garlic, ribose, L-Glutamine and Ian was starting to think I had obsessive compulsive disorder as I wash my hands with soap every chance I get. I’m eating as much vitamin C enriched fruit and veg as I can stomach and avoiding human contact just in case more nasty bugs jump my way. The doctor confirmed I have a chest cold…well I knew that, I have all that greeny gunky evidence on tissue paper, every sentence I mutter has coughing and spluttering attached to the syllables and every morning I wake up feeling like I have been run over by a truck…as a result I have been a wicked wife of the west in recent days…sorry Mr P J

 

I guess I hoped that there may be some magical 24hr cold cure that they would want guinea pig athletic nutters like myself to undergo medicine trials for, but no, to my dismay the common cold still remains a medical mystery. Even though doctors spend so much time studying medicine, as we all know there still isn’t a lot one can do to get rid of a cold except rest, drink plenty of fluids and not overdo it….But where there is a will there is a way, so I say. I’m no doctor, but do believe in the power of the mind and told myself that I would be A OK for the first round of the World Cup Series….mmmm.

 

It was a funny old week leading up to the main event.

 

Earth was having its own little coughing and spluttering issues as the volcano in Iceland sent ash up into the atmosphere and as we all know grounded flights all over the world. The Aussie mountain bike crew that consisted of TORQ Australia and some independent Australian racers were due to be collected from Manchester on the Monday before the race by Ian and I, but we stayed put in Nottingham until we knew whether they would arrive in time or not. On Wednesday it looked unlikely as all their flights had been cancelled and so Ian and I headed to Dalby Forest with an empty mini bus, but an overloaded trailer….I decided to stock up on my favourite foods now that we had more room. Ian went mad as he looked in disbelief at the dozen of 2kg sacks of oats, cereal, dried fruit and tinned soup that I can’t always buy in France or if I can it is quadruple the price. Ian always takes it upon himself to comment on all my bags and then questions every single item I pack, instead of just focusing on what he is taking. I just like to be over prepared and as a result never forget anything. Where Ian takes great pride in being a minimalist and packing light……….ONLY PROBLEM WITH THAT IS HE ALWAYS FORGETS THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT HE CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR…maps, passport, wallet, phone, tent?!?!? But this time he forgot his tooth brush, so not a major problem as he has been refusing to kiss my garlic scented lips lately anyhow.

 

Anyway I’m getting side tracked, as I could go on and on about the Potter marital problems of packing for the race season, it really is a blog all in itself.

 

On Thursday Ian and I decided to hit the course and spend time familiarizing ourselves with the track as I missed the British national round in 2009 so had no idea what the course was like. We had spent one day in November with Joolze Dymond checking out some sections of it, where we Potters posed for the camera as we dropped down off the edge of ‘Worry Gill’ with Joolze flashing our every move. But that was all we had time for, and nothing at that point resembled a race course.

 

I’m always excited to ride a new course, but know that my first lap is usually a shocker as Ian and I often stop and start to analyse different sections and look for alternate lines on the course. I think it is important to look at a course closely if you have time, but I always feel like I don’t flow as well on a course until the second lap when I have more understanding as to how the course works for me. On this occasion I kept forgetting to stop and found myself really enjoying the fast and flowy single track, jumps, drops, and for the first time in KP racing history I rode everything with a confident head on and the biggest smile. After several attempts I finally nailed the rocky climb near ‘Worry Gill‘, and then when I cleared it a second time, well I announced to Ian that my race here is done, as I don’t think it can get technically any better than that for me this weekend. On my fourth lap I decided to time myself and attack the climbs with more effort, energy and Potter oomph! Unfortunately there was no oomph and even when I dug deep, something didn’t feel quite right. Although I was riding technically well, physically I felt pretty rough. I thought the worst of my cold had gone, but I feel like it has left me with bruised lungs, tight chest and quite a fatigued body.

 

Perhaps I over did it on Thursday, but the next two days I felt worse. I started making silly mistakes on the technical sections in practice. This did my confident head no favours and that little doubting devil that sits on your shoulder from time to time made several appearances on Saturday….grrrr!!!

 

On the plus the Aussie team minus one all found their way to the UK. We didn’t have mobile reception or internet access where we were staying, but luckily we checked emails in Pickering Thursday evening and found out they were all arriving at different times Thursday night and early Friday morning. Ian had to leave almost straight away to collect Jo from York and then Matt from Torq collected Katherine and Ray from Manchester, with Dan and Bec hiring a car from Gatwick Airport. So on Friday morning the Aussies had arrived in full force.

 

If only our dramas ended there, as the next day Mini Blue our beloved AQR mini bus decided she would now start coughing and spluttering too....they do say these things happen in threes (KP, icdeland volcano, AQR's Mini Blue) Poor Ian not only had a poorly, and overly whingey wife, but now Mini Blue demanded his attention too….women! Fortunately for the Aussie Crew she was bump started no worries and our 40 minute journey to Dalby Forest was not affected until Ian made a sniggering comment that he wished he could kick me up the backside to get me firing on form…guess who got a kicking instead! J

 

However there were concerns that our planned 4 week trip across Europe would be an interesting one if we didn’t get Mini Blue well again.

 

Race day came around quickly, but I knew it was going to be a rough day in the saddle. Word Cup racing is hard enough as it is when you are racing the best mountain bikers in the world. I guess I kept hoping that I would find some Potter perkiness once the race started, but there was nothing. I couldn’t even push myself to get the legs to hurt and my breathing felt constricted on every climb….when I started to feel all wobbly on the descents I knew I was doing myself no favours staying on course.  I crashed on an easy section of fire road which was the only pain I felt in my legs that day, which in some ways was a good thing because I was starting to think my legs weren’t attached as they felt lifeless.

 

It was a horrible feeling trying to fight my brain and body which for the first time sided with one another against my mountain biking spirit. I really didn’t want to stop, especially in front of an adopted UK home crowd. But I did and although only the second time I have ever quit a race in KP biking history, I can’t help but feel down about it. At the end of the day it is only a race, but racing is such an important part of my life right now and with all the support I receive from Cotic Bontrager, family and friends I don’t want to waste opportunities that one day won’t be around. So it’s time to rebuild and remind oneself that there is still a long racing life ahead of me for now and a lot more adventures to look forward to….but for now it’s time to rebuild and get back up to speed sooner rather than later me hopes J

 

 

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On the mend...

Howdy All,

Just a quick update before my internet time runs out here in Offenburg, Germany.

I have had a pretty rough few weeks, but am finally starting to find some life in my body and my glands have started to deflate at long last. Dalby World Cup should have finished for me on the Thursday before the race even started when I had 4 amazing laps and told everyone that no matter what happens to me on Sunday what will be will be, but Im loving the single track and cant wait to start the race. I was filling at one on the course and very excited that I would be part of a world cup in England for the first time. I loved all the technical apsects that joined the rolling single track and tough climbs that you expect from any world cup course experience.

Then the following two days of pre race training I felt low, really tired and my chest cold symptoms raised their ugly evil heads again. I dont like to admit when Im not 100 %, but every night I wasnt sleeping properly and I started getting this strange shaky feeling in my chest which I have never experienced before. I hoped it was all in my brain and tried to remind myself that often when the racing adrenaline hits full throttle that I would be fine and ready to roll on race day.

Unfortunately I struggled from the word go and my breathing, or lack of breath made me feel wobbly and shaky on the bike. I dont quit races if Im having a bad day, as I just treat it as training and remind myself that part of training is teaching ones brain to get used to the discomfort that is all part of racing. But then it got silly when I crashed on an easy fire road bend simply because I did not have the strength to ride my bike properly. I knew I was doing myself no favours trying to finish a race that would more than likely finish me off if I kept going.

At the beginning of my fourth lap I pulled in to the pits where Ian was waiting for me and I made the decison to quit. I hate that word, and it is only the second time in KP racing history that I have quit a race. I felt bad in so many ways, and am still cursing myself for catching a cold so close to this race.

Anyway I will add my next two race reports up this week...but just to add a little happiness and spark to this oh so dull blog I managed to finish the second world cup in Belgium on the weekend which was my main goal or rather Potter Priority. I also achieved my second goal which was not to get lapped out and was surprised to see that my lap times got alot quicker with a good final lap where I overtook alot of riders to get a 65th position, which under the circumstances Im happy with for now. Im definitely on the mend and starting to get some strength and confidence back...so now Im taking one day at a time and hope to be back up to full speed sooner rather than later.

Thanks for everyones support at the Dalby world cup and all the cheers at Houffalize last weekend (thanks so much Rudy, Belgium national coach, you helped me dig deep). All the support definitely helped me get up those tough muddy climbs. Also thanks to those really lovely British guys at Houffalize who came and spoke to me after the race and the nice messages I have received from people since Dalby. It makes me realise why I love racing as I meet so many awesome people and make new found friends along the way who make all the bad races still worthwhile.

Will be back soon with a bit more spark.

Cheerios for now
KPxö

A Quick Release Holidays
Tel: 0845 1304824

http://www.aquickrelease.com

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UK RACE SCENE - THE NUTCRACKER SERIES R1

This month the plan has been for Ian and I to spend our mountain biking days exploring Ian's long forgotten local trails in and around Nottinghamshire and also to take part in local regional races in the UK, not only to get my ol' legs up to race speed, but also because I love testing myself against the UK mountain biking elements....and my golly gosh did last weekend test brain, legs, skill and my lovely Cotic Soda in the muddiest of ways. BUT all good plans never go according to plan, which makes Potter life never boring, but at times mightily frustrating, especially when it means I can't ride my bike....I'm moping right now, but more of that later.....

 

Following Round 1 of the British Mountain Bike Series I was still not quite back to 100% following a bout of kidney stones as explained in my last blog, but knowing finally what the pain has been all these years I can finally do something about it. Although I still get a tad paranoid about the pain returning, at least I know what I should and should not do to some extent, YES IAN I KNOW I NEED TO DRINK MORE....he is now moaning at me every day to DRINK, DRINK, DRINK....it's his way of getting back at me for all my past moaning days when I was suffering with the pain.

 

So after a much happier race at Sherwood Pines than I expected, I was full of enthusiasm to get back into the local woods and play, but also to start hitting those really fun intervals that make you feel a combination of intense pain and then pure buzziness once you have conquered them.

 

I'm really fortunate to have some great training partners here in Nottingham, and not just Mr Potter all the time, because with two such competitive Potters training together 365 days of the year, it's not always good for the marriage, especially when one of us is having an off day. So last week I rounded up the boys for a tough training session at Bestwood Park. AQR Holidays Team manager James Dymond is now being coached by Ian and I, and I thought it would be really fun if we invited top Aussie elite racer Andy Blaire who is racing for TORQ this year and Ben Murray from Totally Dynamic KTM to really make James, Ian and I suffer....hee, hee, hee (bad attempt at evil laugh) :)

 

After alot of rain I knew it would be perfect conditions to test tyres and pump them up extra hard....a little training exercise that Ian thought would be a bit of a laugh....and there was alot of laughing on Ian's part as I kissed mud on many an occasion, but then I was grateful for that old saying 'what comes around, goes around' as Ian did the most fantastic sidewards drift that really should have left him down and out, but somehow he held it....lucky sod :). After a while I got to grips with the lack of grip on the really slick sections of off camber trails around Bestwood Park, but I was loving the fast flowing and fairly technical single track, that included some ace steep shoots and drops offs to test ourselves on. After some little hilly interval challenges that I thought everyone really enjoyed (you can probably hear the boys in the far distance yelling NOT!), I was left to my own devices on the final hour where I continued to practice riding the slippery mud at race speed and making the most of the wet roots and muddy corners that made up my figure 8 practice race loop. I was wet and muddy, but loving the conditions. This was such an ace work out as I haven't ridden UK mud for a long time....I'm sure I used to get sick of it when I lived here permanently, but after time away from it, even with all the bruising that goes along with muddy tumbles, well I actually had ALOT of FUN!!!!! So bring on UK race number 2....

 

...Sometimes I really should learn to keep my muddy mouth shut, especially when the weather Gods can hear every word I say.

 

Ian and I headed to the first round of the Nutcracker Series at Camp Hill. I like to use racing as part of my training, so what better way to get a good work out and practice my skills at race speed by entering a race. I also wanted to race some local events to support the UK racing community who put alot of hard work and effort into organising race events for those of us who are addicted to riding single track as fast as we can without worrying about anything else except enjoying the ride.

 

There had been alot of rain the night before, but Easter Sunday at the glorious hour of 6am, when most sane people were snoozing or eating Easter eggs, started out bright, and it looked like it was going to be a sunny day, not warm mind you, but at least there was a hint of spring in the air. When we finally found Camp Hill, after too many wrong turns and the wrong directions (I blame Mr P of course), we found the race venue.

 

When we arrived everyone was super friendly and even at this early hour there was a really welcoming atmosphere. Sometimes I really hate the pre race moments when everyone is bottling nerves and trying to stay focused, I'm just as bad, but I always look forward to just cracking on with the race as that is my favourite part, and then just chilling out and discovering that I do have a social life after all. This pre-race warm up was different though as I caught up with friends and elite racers Paul Oldham and Dave Collins from Hope Factory Racing, and forgot all about warming up as we chatted away about racing and cyclo cross and bikes......

 

.....But soon enough it was time to line up for the start of what was going to be a 5 lap race for the elite women. I focused on the elite men's back wheels, as the first section was on a long fire road before the single track commenced. I hoped to sit in and see how long I could keep them in sight. We all took off, well I meant to take off, but couldn't clip in and was having one of those really clumbsy moments with my left foot, but got myself together in time and managed to catch up to the back of the elite men. 

 

Then the real training session began as we hit the single track and I knew it was going to be one punishing race for all bikes and bodies out on course. This course had amazing single track............BUT the huge downfalls of rain we experienced last night turned this fast course into a mudfest. I have never raced in such sticky muddy conditions, but I wanted to be challenged, so I was not going to complain, Every pedal stroke felt like I was doing 100 leg presses. It was hard to judge what sections were slippery and what sections were quicker to run. I also had to think about making sure my Cotic Soda survived this race, and tried not to change gear too often. In fact as I'm keen to improve at cyclo cross, I was in my training element as I jumped on and off bike and tried to improve my running style...yes it needs work :)

 

I managed to get round the first lap without any tumbles, but in great KP style, grace and elegance I might add, I started the second lap with almost a 360 degree tumble just as I left the start/finish area. It's probably best to use Ian's thoughts here, as he said to me later that I looked really fast riding into that slippery corner, faster than anyone else he had seen I might add :) and these were the sound effects had you been standing nearby....'ooh, ooh, ahh, oops, hee hee hee hee hee hee....I have never heard Ian laugh so much in my life.' Such a supportive hubby at times :) BUT KP was down and out, but as I was also very embarassed it helped get me back up to speed rather quickly.

 

The race was super tough. I forgot all about racing my opponents, because I had to ensure I finished the race, so in many ways I was competing and testing bike and I against the course. I kept expecting the elite men to zoom by at any time, especially as Paul Oldham and Dave Collins are cyclo cross racers, but found out later that these two stopped at some point to use the lake to clean their bikes....why I didn't I think of that? They still went on to finish first and secong respectively. I had one more lap to go as I headed towards the start/finish area and I have never been so thankful that the commissiare stopped the race one lap early. I managed to take the win, but to tell you the truth I think everyone was a winner that day just for surviving the elements. I still enjoyed myself, but the aftermath of a muddy race is always just as hard as there was going to be alot of cleaning to do this afternoon...hey love? Don't worry I'm not that much of a Diva and did share the work load, but KP never forgets when people laugh at her, so Ian ended up rather wet during bike cleaning duties :)

 

After this race I had some more hospital/doctors appointments to sort out my kidney stones, but I was also going into my hardest week of training. Perhaps I should have upped my daily dose of garlic or worn a mask when I was surrounded by so much coughing and spluttering, but since the swine flu does not make headlines anymore I didn't think anything of it. BUT I noticed all the signs of illness the last few days, from very high resting heart rate to a strange fatigue in training that was different from the fatigue you naturally build up when training hard. On Friday I tested myself on the hills, and power was down significantly and chest was very tight, with more effort to breathe even when chilling out. I tried to convince myself it was only hay fever as I wanted to race this Sunday at the first round of the Southern Cross series. The weather as most UKers know has been amazing, and I was looking forward to catching up with friends......but I have been beaten by what I hope is just a cold. I still thought I might wake up on Sunday morning and feel miraculously better, but now I'm back to moaning with bottom lip out and shoulders slumped. Ian has locked the bikes up so there is no temptation for me to train. With only 2 weeks to go before the Dalby World Cup and the start of our European race travels, it's rather inconvenient that I catch a cold now, but fingers crossed my 10 garlic cloves a day will do the trick and after a restful few days I can get back into training and preparing properly for the hardest racing block this year.

 

I always believe 'things happen for a reason...so reason better show it's face soon!'. I hate feeling less than 100% so I apologise now if this blog has come across as a moaning rant. As soon as I'm back on the bike again I will write a really happy blog, full of cheer....but for now I'm not cheery and am being a royal pain in the toe nail, well so Mr Potter thinks :)

 

Just a quick apology to the organisers of the Southern Cross Series for not making it to the race on Sunday, and hope everyone had a fun weekend of racing or riding their bikes....and made the most of the brilliant weather...fingers crossed it will stay this way for the Dalby World Cup.

 

Cheerios for now

KPxo

 

 

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BRITISH MOUNTAIN BIKE SERIES Round 1, Sherwood Pines, UK 2010.

My second cross country race of the season has been one of mixed feelings and a whole load of relief, in more ways than one. Two weeks ago I raced in Italy and after a brief stop at home in Luchon we had planned to head to Spain for a race as part of my training to get these ol' legs up to race speed again in time for the first bock of world cups and European racing in May. However as always the Potters plans didn't go according to plan....at the end of the day when do Potter plans go to plan, but this little problem I could seriously do without and can't even make a joke about it right now as I feel like I have wasted alot of time, money and have been seriously peeved off with myself these past two weeks.

For the past 5 years I have had a niggling issue which I have struggled to find a cure for and over the years it has become more frequent and a whole lot more painful. During training, racing and even just sitting around my stomach would suddenly go into crippling pain that could last anything from an hour to half a day. After visiting doctors in both the UK and Oz I was left feeling like it was all in my head or stress related because as soon as I told them that I was a mountain bike racer and guide in the Pyrenees and that I love being active then of course all that physical strain is most likely the cause, no hint of bitterness there eh?

 

I remember countless races including my first cyclo cross world cup in Belgium last October when I spent the whole time trying to pedal, although I thought I was going to pass out from the shooting pain or my last 24hr race when the pain was there and I swore that would be my last 24hr solo race as I was certain racing ultra endurance events was contributing to the stomach cramps. But the race that really springs to mind was at a world cup race in Andorra two years ago when I had fantastic form and in a great position for my first year of world cup racing and then suddenly the knife splitting pain came along and all I could do was lie down on the side of the track and make a fool of myself as I lay their feeling like my insides were ripping apart. I was humiliated because it was the first time I had been reduced to tears on a race course and that little competitive voice inside my head started ranting and raving about how weak minded I am....because it is all in your head of course.

 

Since then most races I have had what I thought was stomach cramp, and at times I have been forced to back off the pace to ensure I at least finish the race. I love racing and the adrenaline rush I get when testing myself against other competitors, but there have been alot of races when I have felt so disheartened because instead of racing at 100%, I'm forced to survive at 60%. I have spent time working on breathing exercises and pilates in case it was a nerve problem. I have tried to find out information on the internet, but the symptoms were characteristic of so many health issues that I would give up in the end and just remind myself that it's all in your head and to stop fretting.

Anyway after our little racing adventure in Italy once again the pain came back with a vengeance and a few other symptoms which meant that Ian was not going to be talked out of taking or rather dragging me to another doctor for a second or rather third opinion, so we returned to the UK earlier than planned. I have to admit I felt like a goose sitting in the surgery room with other patients who were coughing, spluttering and obviously ill, when I actually felt fine now that the pain had ceased. In fact I almost walked out because I thought the doctor would think I'm going crazy and just tell me it was all in my head again....if I hear that one more time!

 

However after tests it appears I have kidney stones...I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. In some ways it is a huge relief, because now I can do something about it, but I wish I had found out sooner, say 3-4 years sooner would have been nice.

 

The doctor insisted I start drinking water all the time and no strenuous exercise for the time being that could cause dehydration....but I want to race? No answer!

So I guess I wasn't best prepared mentally for the first round of the British Mountain Bike Series, although legs were raring to go. Two nights before the race I spent most of the night with the symptoms and felt completely washed out on Saturday during practice. I decided to do some short efforts and if the pain came on during practice then I wouldn't make the start line. All was good, so I wasn't going to miss out on all the racing fun. But I could have done without the clocks going forward as I had another restless night sleep not from pre-race nerves, but pre-race stressing that the pain would raise it's ugly head and whether I was being stupid for not listending to the doctor's advice. When the alarm went off at 6:30am, I insisted on another 30 minutes shut eye. 7am and I still needed another 30 minutes pleeeeeeease. I was shattered and already feeling battered and I hadn't even left the house.

Fortunately I have my Mr Potter who knows me better than anyone ever will, and knows how much he will suffer ear ache if I miss this race. At 7:30am for the first time in KP history I was force fed coffee and treated to breaky in bed. I have never tried coffee and can't understand why so many people like that horrible tasting drink that I'm sure I won't get addicted to anytime soon, although Ian said he has never seen me so wired....but methinks I could get used to breakfast in bed, so might have to make that part of the pre-race routine in future, hey love? Again no answer from the hubby.

So by the time we reached Sherwood Pines I was well behind schedule, but feeling alot better about racing. I love the challenge of racing cross country. You are tested in so many ways, physically, mentally, technically, tactically. Sherwood Pines has always been loved and hated for the same reasons. It can be hated by those who regard themselves as mountain bikers and in it just for the technical riding, while it can be loved by cyclo cross racers and roadies for the fast pace, action packed bunch riding that the course often suits. I don't think there is a course that every racer at one event will love as we tend to love courses that suit our strengths, and the great thing about mountain biking compared to most sports is that every course is completely different, and there will always be some element of the sport that challenges us. It certainly keeps me motivated as every race shows up weaknesses, but also areas that I know have improved since the last race. In saying all that I think course designer and organiser of the Midlands Series James Hampshire did an incredible job creating a fun filled bumpy ride that showed off some of Sherwood Pines best single track, as well as some interesting extras that kept you thinking all the time, but still included sections of fast paced riding that was good fun if you had a wheel to follow...and if not well a darn good training session if you gritted your teeth and kept going for gold.

 

I guess I should start writing about the elite women's race from my perspective, although I'm sure there are alot of stories to be told after this race, but here is my version. Firstly in true KP fashion I almost missed the gridding as I took myself off on an Aussie walkabout or rideabout as the case may be....sorry. Mr P, who I was told almost had heart palpitations when I wasn't at the start area, tried to look as chilled out as possible when I raced over, but me knows he was not quite so chilled as that :) .

 

It was strange suddenly feeling part of an old generation of regulars lining up for the first round of the British Mountain Bike Series, with both Jenny Copnall and Jenn O'Connor missing from the line up, but at the same time great to see more elite women lining up than ever before, as that can only be a good thing for cross country racing in the UK. On the start line there was Commonwealth silver medalist Rosara Joseph, and of course UK favourites Annie Last and Lily Mathews and my good friend Mel Spath who I knew would be tough competiton on this course. I had my race plan and knew today would be a training race for me, as I didn't want to get disapointed if the pain set in. There are alot of important races ahead and I had to remind myself that my goals are different this year, but you can't help wanting to win every time you line up for a race....that's what drives us all to do our very best, and there is nothing wrong with that.

 

So we took off and I managed to lead the girls into the first section of single track...I couldn't help singing to myself 'here come the girls', a song I heard on a mtb dvd. At this stage I was comfortable, had time to breathe, and just waited for the attacks to come fying by as that is the nature of this course. Soon enough Annie made her move and our group lead by Annie, included Rosara Joseph, Lily Mathews and myself split from the rest of the pack and for the first couple of laps we all stayed together, with Annie and I swapping the lead every so often. I kept to the front to avoid any mistakes in the single track that could cause a break away, as I still have fond memories of that happening to me twice at this race last year. The course had log jumps, dual descents, off camber banks, a roller coaster single track ride that was ace, and this brutal steep climb that turned into a steepish descent....it was a hard course physically and technically, but I loved it!

 

Four riders changed to three at some point leaving Annie, Rosara and I at the front of a chasing field, but on the third lap I had brain fade. Legs felt fine, but I suddenly got this wave of tiredness that I couldn't shake off just when Annie made her move and attacked over the log jump. For about half a lap I really struggled to focus and I started making little errors in the single track. Rosara managed to bridge the gap Annie had made from her attack, but it was like the caffeine hit from this morning suddenly wore off and I was ready for bed, even though legs felt fine. So I battled on without a wheel to follow and when I could I grabbed a Torq forest fruits gel from Ian that I hope would at least help me get through the final lap as there was still time to catch up if I could get my head into action. I could see the two girls out in front and was told by alot of people that it was only a 10 to 15 second gap. But I wasn't gaining on them until the end of the fourth lap, suddenly brain had come back to life and I could see them much closer now and I was making some lost time up on them both. As I headed into the arena with one lap to go I tried to go harder, and was more focused now, but still lacking the extra zip I needed to really get much closer than I had. I didn't stop trying, but halfway around the last lap I could only see Rosara now and I told myself to just see how close you can get with 1km to go. I managed to get down to a 4 second gap between Rosara in second and myself in third, but Annie had a storming final lap and took a well deserved win, with Lily Mathews in fourth and Lee Cragie in fifth position.

 

Well you have no idea how thrilled I was today, and although exhausted am pleased with how the legs are feeling right now. I'm still shocked I even made it to the start line, so although I have areas to work on, that will be addressed over time. Right now I just want to get myself back to full health and get my racing head back on so I can start training harder and hopefully pain free now.

 

As always thankyou to everyone who were cheering me on and who came over to say hello, it was really lovely to catch up with everyone again.

 

Plus as always a very special thankyou to my team Cotic Bontrager, and all the team sponsors who continue to look after Ian and I and give me the opportunity to race at this level. Also a very special thankyou to Tony Barton from Magura who gave up his time last Thursday to do some suspension testing and teaching with me. Last but not least thankyou to Mr Potter for coaching me, supporting me and dragging me to the doctor....yes you were right....this time :)

 

Photos will be up shortly...promise or just check out www.joolzedymond.com for all the weekend racing action.

 

 

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COTIC BONTRAGER RACING, RIDING & GUIDING ADVENTURES

THE RACE – INTERNATIONALIA D’ITALIA R2 MONTICHIARI, ITALY

This month is all about reminding one’s legs how to suffer and go hard. I have had a great season of winter base training and strength work, and fortunately no major colds or health issues that have kept me off the bike...only a minor collision with a car that left me shaking in my shoes, but luckily no major damage to body or bike.

 When it did snow then it was great fun to get out in the mountains surrounding our little Luchon home. Ian and I enjoyed many a snowy mountain bike ride this winter, but also made the most of the days we could go snow shoeing which is not only a fabulous work out, but believe it or not you can get quite an adrenaline rush on the way down, especially when you head away from the main tracks and find yourself on your butt sliding from one switchback to the next. But now I’m itching to become faster on the bike, the fitness is there and I’m stronger than last year, but there is no point being fit if you can’t go fast. So now it’s time to hit the races for my favourite type of training....RACING!

Racing makes you fast, and very quickly points out your weaknesses. It’s not always about fitness and there is so much you can learn by just getting out of your comfort zone and racing the best mountain bikers in the world and of course the best mountain bike courses in the world. I love competing against other racers, BUT I actually get more of a buzz testing myself and my lovely Cotic Soda on different courses.  So this month I planned a Potter training and racing camp in Italy, which would also coincide with my birthday.

I do realise I babble on at times, so have tried to condense my writing by turning this blog into a diary, before the race report begins....I just hope that one day when I’m old and knackered I can look back on these adventures and be transported back to this time in my life when I’m fortunate enough to be riding a bike for a living....a living that is not about material wealth, as mountain biking will never pay the bills, but a lifestyle that enables me to BE ALIVE, and not stuck in a concrete jungle suffering from the stresses of the world and CSN....more about that soon!

So here is a little diary of my first week of the 2010 race season....

THURSDAY MARCH 4 – mini bus starter motor stops working AGAIN.....arrive at Ian’s dad’s place at the wonderful time of 10pm after 14hrs of driving. I have finally learnt the art of bump starting a vehicle after countless attempts between southern Spain and northern Italy. My alter ego ‘Veronica Stress Head’ also comes out to play and decides not to speak to Ian for 14hrs because I think he has forgotten my birthday....

FRIDAY MARCH 5 – ...MY BIRTHDAY!!! Ian hasn’t forgotten...oops! I am presented with some wonderful presents and am reminded that I’m the one who likes surprises, so there was no need to ignore Mr Potter for 14hrs was there? Well he shouldn’t pretend so well that he has forgotten my birthday. I had a wonderful day walking dogs, dining on the edge of Lake Bolsema with family, and discovering some urban biking action around the streets of Montefiascone.

SATURDAY MARCH 6 – Discover some great off road on my training ride and the most amazing single track whilst being chased by dogs...legs were truly put to the test today.

SUNDAY MARCH 7 – Another day out on the bikes, but this time Ian and I ride around Lake Bolsema with a goal to beat 3hrs....2.5hrs later with two wrong turns!!! Really pleased, but then my brain tells me that it really wants to do 3hrs, so make Ian keep riding around in circles even though he has blown J

MONDAY MARCH 8 – A huge lunch before we embark on our travels again. This includes the biggest cake I have ever seen. Ian decides it’s time to throw his diet to get down to ‘XC race weight’ out the window and focus on becoming faster downhill with his little saying “FAT IS FAST!” The Cotic Bontrager Race Team now head further north to Lake Garda for the first race of the 2010 mountain bike season. ...YAY!

TUESDAY MARCH 9 – We are staying in a lovely little apartment on the edge of Lake Garda that was very cheap for some reason.....wind, rain, sleet and snow follow the Potters around on their 3hr mountain bike training session. My hope to swim in the pool and bask in the sunshine is not to be as the pool has frozen...DOH!

WEDNESDAY MARCH 10 – The Potters are snowed in and the only English channel on TV is CSN. I’m truly frustrated and depressed by the ongoing news and state of this world we are living in. I’m actually pleading with CSN reporters to report on something happy for a change, surely there is something to smile about, something to keep our minds of the horrors and disasters that confront mankind every day..... ‘Veronica Stress Head’ raises her ugly head once again, but this time I take it out on the turbo. After the most intense interval session that I hope will cheer me up, I’m left hobbling as legs have been truly hammered.

THURSDAY MARCH 11 – Recovery day and I’m banned from watching anymore CSN!!! Snow has finally melted and the sun is shining. It is time to explore the area. Only an easy spin today, but we see so many cyclists riding around the lake that I’m truly tempted to scrap the recovery day. Ian locks the bikes away just in case. By chance we come across a gorgeous old fort on the peninsula where we act all touristy and buy postcards.

FRIDAY MARCH 12 – PRE-RACE TRAINING!!! Time to check the course out....Where is the course Kate? What time do we register? So many questions, but not knowing any Italian I say we just rock up and hope for the best. Although Montichiari is not on our map, I see a sign after 20 minutes of driving around in circles and then we spot mountain bikers. Who needs a map eh? When heading to a mountain bike race in Europe, just look for bikers, caravans and concrete steps and you can’t go far wrong. The course has kind of been marked out and we simply follow other mountain bikers and enjoy the single track which I might add is super steep, super muddy and oh so much fun, although grip is an issue on the climbs. I’m also suffering from severe leg pain after training on Wednesday, the DOMS effect (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) has well and truly raised its ugly head. Perhaps choosing to use a double chain ring on a steep course such as this is not the wisest decision, but I remind myself that ‘PAIN IS AN EMOTION AND EMOTION IS TO BE ENJOYED!!!” (gulp) . Plus with the amount of mud on this course I decide to risk more leg pain rather than chain suck. Then we see other riders appearing from nowhere, and we’re not too sure where they have come from. I spot riders heading into what looks like a castle...we follow them inside the castle and next minute we are descending down a long set of steep steps that are inside the building. We are actually racing inside part of this amazing looking, centuries year old castle....I can’t stop giggling as I doubt health and safety in Oz or the UK would approve, but I love it!

SATURDAY MARCH 13 – RACE DAY!!!!

OFFICIAL KP RACE REPORT

Legs are still hurting from that ‘wonderful’ training session three days ago, but I’m really excited about racing on this course. The drive to the course takes about 20 minutes and in that time we notice there is still patchy snow around, and although very sunny, the temperature remains chilly.

There is no opportunity to check the course out today to see if the steep sections, both up and down have dried out, so I choose to have lower tyre pressures and mud tyres. I know I’m going to regret this decision if it dries out, but that is the risk I take as I was out descending and climbing Ian yesterday simply because his tyres were too hard.

I still don’t know where the start loops is, and take myself off for a little exploring on the road sections and through the castle, and of course up and down all the steps that make up part of the race loop. I avoid any mud as the bike and I were a state after yesterday’s practice ride and there is no bike wash close by. Finally gridding starts and there are girls everywhere. It is just like a world cup with some of the world’s top racers here. I find myself on the second row and when I look behind me I can’t see the back of the grid, which is awesome. It is so cool to see how many female mountain bikers have entered not just the elite category, but other categories as well. More than 50 in every category....COOLIO!!!!

So the countdown to the race start begins. I know my legs are not race ready, but I also know this is the start of a long race season which won’t end until October. There are 30 seconds to go as a guy calls out ‘trenta’, and as I pull myself into my start position........suddenly half the field have taken off, including the very front row of past world cup winners and world champs....as if they need any more of a head start. We are called back, so I stay calm and wait with one foot clipped in, but then so many girls have continued forward that the organisers shrug their shoulders and that is my signal to get a move on if I want to race.

So I attack this very long steep tarmac climb with every ounce of energy and mentally scream at my legs to stop complaining. From the back of 50 girls I managed to pass riders and end up around 15^th by the time we hit the off road single track which is fast and flowy, and oh so much grippier than yesterday. I realise pretty quickly that I should have more air in my tyres, but remind myself that ‘PAIN IS AN EMOTION AND EMOTION IS TO BE ENJOYED!!!’, This is a training race after all and it is good mental and physical preparation for what is in store this year.

There are virtually no rest spots on this course, as the descents are not very long and always lead into another steep climb. There are so many steps to ride, including a dozen drops offs all in a row and a long climb up a set of steps would you believe that are just spread out enough so you can ride up them.  I’m with a group of 5 racers and we are all working at 120% to try and drop one other. By lap 3 I’m fighting it out with one girl now, who just keeps attacking and attacking, but never quite getting rid of me. We soon find ourselves passing other riders who have blown, and I have moved forward to 11^th position according to Ian when I start my own series of attacks. I move into 10^th position by the final lap and Ian warns me that 9^th was struggling and not too far out in front. I am chasing hard and finally catch 9^th going into the final piece of single track that begins steeply, before some very tight switchbacks, and then continues on like a roller coaster....one minute you are going down, the next using all your might to climb the short sections without running and then going down again. We end up stuck behind a rider from a different category and both of us are forced to slow the pace. I try to speak French for some reason, hoping she might pull over and let us pass, but perhaps my strange aussie/french accent in Italy came across all wrong as I’m completely ignored would you believe J

At the end of the single track we drop onto a long piece of tarmac, and I remain on her back wheel thinking about where to make my attacking move, but the cobbled streets are narrow and I’m pushed into the barriers by some very aggressive elbow action from Daniela Veronesi who takes 9th by 1 second. I’m shattered, but buzzing from head to toe because that race course has to be one of my all time favourites.....so many steps, a castle and the steepest single track that will keep me smiling until the next mountain bike race challenge comes my way.

SUNDAY MARCH 14 – An early 5am wake up call, although I have been awake all night as I’m still buzzing from the race adrenaline that is a natural part of racing. I close my eyes and I can still feel myself descending down all those steps. Ian and I pack Mini Blue and head home to Luchon.....just 13hrs to go.....now I’m really tired. Poor Ian is going to have to chat to himself again J

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BLOODY KNEES!!!!!

I have just completed my second big build of training for the 2010 race season. All is going to plan and I'm rather pleased with the way I feel right now...............except that I have a huge hole in my knee.....OUCH!!! I have knocked it again! Why do I do that?!?!

 

Now as mountain bikers we can't escape the odd scratch, the dirty tumbles and the occasional injuries. It's all part of mountain biking.....every so often we misjudge a trail and the trail wins. But ever since my mother said "I'm so pleased you started riding a bike because running will destroy your knees......".

 

....NOW time after time whenever I take a tumble you can be certain my knees will take the full force of the battering. When mother dear said those fateful words I bet she didn't touch wood, I certainly didn't and should know better. Ok I admit I believe in touching wood, because it works for me, and for that reason I advise you all to touch wood or be cursed, because my knees have been cursed I tell you!!!

 

6 years ago I put that phone receiver down. I didn't see any wood to touch, and thought nothing of my mum's comment. It was time to start work. Time for another glorious day of mountain bike guiding on Lefkada Island....10am turned into 3pm and there was one more descent to go down. Soon we would all be back at the resort for an afternoon swim. It was my turn to descend first so I could mark the bottom of the trail for the safety of our guests (a trail I ran up every morning as my pre-ride warm up, so I knew it well), Ian sorted out the jeep and Mark remained at the back of the group. Next minute I see a cute donkey in the corner of my eye (first time I have ever seen a donkey here)....I feel a rope around my waist (oh! OHHH!)...and I'm flung in the air (I'm seriously high). There is no time to search for a soft tuft of grass, this is Greece after all, where the terrain is like a cheese grater. The full force of my body comes crashing down and my right knee takes the battering. OUCH!!!!! And it hurt......ALOT! (gulp)

 

So I was bandaged up and rushed to hospital....a greek hospital. Now we knew some greek, but at the time the doctor was more interested in leaning towards his nurse rather than listening to my pleading cries, "Do Not Cut THERE!"

 

He continued to look lovingly into the nurse's eyes, and it was only when I hit him that he realised his scissors were cutting into my wound. I won't go into detail, but the look on his face when he took the bandage off my knee said it all.....In fact when he made those Universal sounds of UGHGHGH!!! I didn't need to know any Greek to understand what he was saying. Yes It was ugly. 

 

However me being me, I was determined not to let my bloody knee stop me from moving, but then the swelling and infection were pretty serious, and the leg was not very flexible, ok I admit it didn't really bend at all.....And I know I did myself no favours trying to walk/run/hop (kind of) around the resort a bit lopsided (when Ian wasn't looking of course) as I was bored out of my brains and no amount of pain was going to stop me from doing just a little bit of exercise....ok I admit I would not reccomend this to anyone, but you have know idea how bored I was, and me being me...yes I'm my worst enemy, enough said!

 

Two days later Ian and I headed to Chamonix, French Alps to continue our season as guides for a few months. I was back on the bike, but I still had an infected knee that I had to try not to hit or knock in anyway, but me being me, I always seemed to knock it.....the pain was like a knife going through my leg. Everytime I went mountain biking I was reminded about my Mum's fateful words "I'm so pleased you started riding a bike because running will destroy your knees", and the fact that I did not touch wood...oh and the fact that I'm unbelievably clumbsy at times didn't help. Why do I keep banging my knee on the handle bars?!?!

 

I put up with that pain for weeks on end. But one day I woke up, banged my knee as I did at the breakfast table each morning, and for the first time in weeks there was no shooting pain up my leg. Today was going to be a good day. I was cured! From this day forth, no more knee pain.....and guess who forgot to touch wood?

 

Later that day my bike decided to miss some bends out on a trail, it (not me) it missed the bends! I just had to make that clear.

 

IT, the bike, wanted more excitement, and took off down the fall line of the mountainside. Now this is Chamonix, not a gentle slope in the Nottinghamsire Alps (that's for Steve if you're reading). I suddenly realised my brakes didn't work and very soon the fall line of the mountainside would be sheer. So I jumped and landed very heavily on my left leg.

Another OUCH moment and this time a dislocated knee. The doctor said 8 weeks off the bike...I said DEUX! And incase he didn't understand my aussie accent I stuck up two fingers, but not in a rude way mind you....that was to Ian who said I couldn't do anything for 8 weeks.

 

So I hobbled down to the Chamonix pool every morning to get the leg moving. It was a 10km off road hobble (each way) with crutches that Ian went mad at me for when he found out. But I did what I could to be back on the bike two weeks later....and to the doctor's amazement it was looking good and he actually gave me the OK thumbs up sign to ride my bike on gentle trails....in Chamonix? I couldn't run or walk very well mind you, but I could ride my bike and that was all that mattered to me at the time. Ian called me 'Hop along' when we walked, but I called him 'sloth along' when he didn't keep up with me on the hills....I just had to throw that one in :)

 

Now let me fast forward to 2010 and to a little biking training session I did with Mr Potter a few days ago. We were doing a specific drill where I had to follow his wheel and sprint past him as fast as I could, knowing that he was then going to counter attack me straight away. We were focusing on my peak power and I was also trying to beat Ian, because I like beating Ian, and it's quite funny seeing how competitive he becomes when his wife is having a good day :)  

 

On this particular day I kept seeing the number 13...then when I looked at my watch it was 13:13 when we started the training session. Maybe I should be a little more superstitious, but at the time I thought nothing of it, and touched wood as I usually do. We were half way through the training session....going for gold I was....and hopefully a higher peak power wattage than the previous sprint....when a car suddenly reversed towards us and appeared to have forgotten to look in both directions (GULP). When this happened I was beside Ian and accelerating swiftly. On my Cotic X the brakes weren't going to stop me quickly enough to miss the car. For some reason the car stopped still and didn't accelerate forward, but I was still accelerating, although brain was in defence mode by this time. Brakes were on, wheels locked up, and it was either hit the car or fall into the loving arms of my beloved husband (well I hoped). I was forced to hit Ian's back wheel. Next minute I'm in the air, sliding along gravel and hugging a wall. I'm in some shock thinking the worst has happened to Mr Potter, and not quite knowing why I'm hugging a wall. Somehow Ian has managed to stay on his bike, but is qickly beside me. He informs me straight away that his beloved titanium Lightspeed road bike is fine and that he prevented her from crashing (mmmmmm, methinks I should be a little jealous) but he is back in good books as he performs first aid treatment on his battered and wall hugging wife, yes for some reason I kept hugging this wall....maybe Ian should be jealous.

 

Once the shock had died down and I looked myself over properly I realised how lucky I was. I slid quite a way and came off better than I could have done..............EXCEPT MY DARN KNEE!!!!!

 

NOT AGAIN....

 

I suddenly feel the shooting pain from my right knee as Ian treats the bloody hole and grazing. Very strange as I didn't recall even sliding on my knee at the time. Yet another scar to add to the other biking memories written across both knees. It makes me realise that perhaps I should be thankful for both lovely knees rather than thinking that they have been cursed because although they cop a beating from my biking antics they have saved me from worse ordeals on many an occasion.

 

The only problem now is that Ian only married me from my ankles upwards because he thinks I have hideous feet or rather that I have hobbit feet. Mr P doesn't realise that every little mark on my toes or on the soles of my feet tell a different life story or event from my running adventures.

 

Now he thinks he can just divorce my knees because they look cursed and definitely won't make the front page of any beauty magazine...but as far as I'm concerned, and after some deep thought I have come to the conclusion that they are not cursed at all, but an important part of KP biking history. I will show off my tale telling feet and knees when I'm 80 to my grandchildren and tell then about all the biking and running antics I enjoyed in my younger years.....Ian just thinks I'm cruel, not cursed.  

 

So respect your knees and they will respect you. OUCH!!! I have knocked it again! Why do I do that?!?! Or just keep touching wood and hope for the best :)

 

 

 

 

 

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