I'm sitting at work, bored, pondering. It's amazing how your concept of time changes in relation to what is going on. Like now, I can't wait for it to hit 5 so that I can go home. I should be making the most of it and catching up on all of the tasks that have been forgotten over the last couple of months.
Despite this year flying by I can't wait for next weeks news and I feel like a child waiting for Christmas at the moment, counting down the sleeps.
In other news I had a tumble on the track last night, silly really. I'm blaming it on Bec and Bella even though they were nowhere near me. Surely they planned it! It didn't get me out of the smash fest point scores DB had us doing though, despite my protests and tears.
Change your losing game. Don't change your winning game.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Feeling terrible
Renae's Race - 22/2/09
A stacked field had come out to play, it looked like almost 20 female riders had entered. We had Olympic Silver medallist, Emma Pooley. Recently crowned Australian Champs Josie Tomic, Sarah Kent, Melissa Hoskins and Clare McLean. Fleet Elite girls Bec Halliday, Anna Kauffmann and myself. SPR riders Lisa Wood, Lorraine Hartland. Jess Griffiths from NSW. WAIS rider Bella King. Sally Robbins, Kelly Gray, Sue Johnstone, Sarah-Jeanne Fraser, Rebecca Wheadon, Jillian Scanlan. It seemed like an endless list.
I knew it was going to be a tough day. Riding down to the crit my legs didn't seem as sore as expected after Saturdays power efforts, but apparently Bec's were! I would like to say that Fleet's plan was for me to cover early attacks to save Bec for a late race winning attack with Anna to help cover things in between and chase when needed. Coz that's kinda what happened and would have looked cool if it came off. Unfortunately, like most plans, something is bound to go wrong.
Plan B really wanted to dominate today. Sally Robbins was keeping the pace up from the gun and Josie and Sarah Kent were taking turns to attack the field. I was struggling early on but kept covering the attacks. Recovering and making my way up the field to try again. I wanted to get in a break and away from the fluctuating pace which was really hurting me today. Unfortunately it didn't happen and in the middle of one of my sad sack sessions at the back of the bunch Josie got away. Luckily (as planned :) Bec made it into the break, which also contained Sarah F and Jess G.
It was then wait and see time as Emma Pooley hadn't made it into the break. I forget the exact happenings after this as I was still doing my best to cover attacks. Bella got away but for some reason didn't finish the race. Then again whilst I was moping at the back Sarah Kent and Emma Pooley got away. I tried to help the bunch chase her but I just didn't have it. With 3 laps to go Mel put it in a big surge and I went with it but was suffering. She was brought back and then I saw Bec on the side of the road with a flat. I can help I thought! We swapped wheels and she raced back to the Commissaire only to be told she was too late - being bell lap couldn't rejoin. We should have known but when the blood is in your legs your brain doesn't work. So neither Bec, nor I finished the race which was won in fine form by Josie who had a large gap on Sarah F. Jess G outsprinted Sarah K and Emma Pooley for third place.
A hard race! I hope those new to racing aren't too discouraged. Today they got to see where the bar is at. It's not easy to bridge across but if you want it you'll go for it and keep training.
A stacked field had come out to play, it looked like almost 20 female riders had entered. We had Olympic Silver medallist, Emma Pooley. Recently crowned Australian Champs Josie Tomic, Sarah Kent, Melissa Hoskins and Clare McLean. Fleet Elite girls Bec Halliday, Anna Kauffmann and myself. SPR riders Lisa Wood, Lorraine Hartland. Jess Griffiths from NSW. WAIS rider Bella King. Sally Robbins, Kelly Gray, Sue Johnstone, Sarah-Jeanne Fraser, Rebecca Wheadon, Jillian Scanlan. It seemed like an endless list.
I knew it was going to be a tough day. Riding down to the crit my legs didn't seem as sore as expected after Saturdays power efforts, but apparently Bec's were! I would like to say that Fleet's plan was for me to cover early attacks to save Bec for a late race winning attack with Anna to help cover things in between and chase when needed. Coz that's kinda what happened and would have looked cool if it came off. Unfortunately, like most plans, something is bound to go wrong.
Plan B really wanted to dominate today. Sally Robbins was keeping the pace up from the gun and Josie and Sarah Kent were taking turns to attack the field. I was struggling early on but kept covering the attacks. Recovering and making my way up the field to try again. I wanted to get in a break and away from the fluctuating pace which was really hurting me today. Unfortunately it didn't happen and in the middle of one of my sad sack sessions at the back of the bunch Josie got away. Luckily (as planned :) Bec made it into the break, which also contained Sarah F and Jess G.
It was then wait and see time as Emma Pooley hadn't made it into the break. I forget the exact happenings after this as I was still doing my best to cover attacks. Bella got away but for some reason didn't finish the race. Then again whilst I was moping at the back Sarah Kent and Emma Pooley got away. I tried to help the bunch chase her but I just didn't have it. With 3 laps to go Mel put it in a big surge and I went with it but was suffering. She was brought back and then I saw Bec on the side of the road with a flat. I can help I thought! We swapped wheels and she raced back to the Commissaire only to be told she was too late - being bell lap couldn't rejoin. We should have known but when the blood is in your legs your brain doesn't work. So neither Bec, nor I finished the race which was won in fine form by Josie who had a large gap on Sarah F. Jess G outsprinted Sarah K and Emma Pooley for third place.
A hard race! I hope those new to racing aren't too discouraged. Today they got to see where the bar is at. It's not easy to bridge across but if you want it you'll go for it and keep training.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Even when you do badly you have to write it up
We all have our own motivations to race. It can be easy to forget those reasons when fear takes over. Going to Track Nationals was exciting and scary. I was racing against Anna Meares! If you just look at the results you'll see I got various last places and a couple second last. But - they were all PBs in my eyes. heheh.. As a roadie turned track sprinter, it was always going to be a tough gig and I'm happy with the outcomes, tangible or not. I've gained a lot of experience, confidence and hopefully friendships. Watching everyone else race made me really proud to be wearing my team shirt. Cameron Meyer was a super team captain and showed that he is not just a superstar on a bike but a great leader as well.
Some memorable performances:
Men's Team Pursuit:
WA went in to the gold medal ride off after qualifying a very close second. They changed their order slightly, went in with a great plan and rode it to perfection, almost. The race was neck and neck with the lead swapping every couple of laps. WA were in the lead when the Vics lost third wheel but surprisingly, at the next time check the Vics were ahead. What we couldn't see was a clip of the wheels and a slight easing of pace. WA gained the lead with 1km to go and just smashed it home. It was an awesome ride! During a race, the riders can try and communicate with each other, ease, 3 riders, go etc, but in reality under aero helmets all of the words sound the same so you can imagine what would happen when one rider yells ease but the other hears go. It's amazing that they do stay together.
Women's Team Pursuit
Winner, Belinda Goss cemented her position as the points race expert but I couldn't tell you what she did in the race. I was lucky enough to be watching the race with Bec Halliday's mum, Bec was going into the race for experience and to have a play. Unfortunately very early in the race Bec had a mechanical, her chain had broke (the second time on the trip). Luckily, our super team mechanic, Bobby Barnes fixed it in no time and Bec was able to resume racing. Unfortunately, DB was pushing her out and back into the race during a sprint lap which left Bec chasing. A super effort got her back on and before we knew it she was in an attack. This lasted long enough for Bec to place in two sprints and suddenly she was in 4th place. A bit of excitement towards the end of the race resulted in a crash taking out WA's Davina Summers and third place getter Tess Downing. Bec was unable to gain any more points but did a fantastic job to finish 6th.
Men's Points Race
Frieburg was on fire in this race. Sitting patiently he waited until about half way to take a lap. After a quick recovery he took another lap! We didn't see DB asking him to take another lap but if he did it would have been up there with ride of the series! Burger had to finish in front of the American to hold on to 3rd place and it was a fight to the finish, but he held on.
U19 Women's Keirin
Mel Hoskins was WA's only finalist in this race and rode very smartly. She got straight onto the wheel of the seemingly unbeatable sprinter, Annette Edmonson. Again, another patient rider, Mel went with all of the accelerations but had me worried she wasn't go to try and take the win. Coming out of the last bend she went for it and stormed past Nettie. Hopefully someone has a photo because the look on Mel's face was priceless.
Some memorable performances:
Men's Team Pursuit:
WA went in to the gold medal ride off after qualifying a very close second. They changed their order slightly, went in with a great plan and rode it to perfection, almost. The race was neck and neck with the lead swapping every couple of laps. WA were in the lead when the Vics lost third wheel but surprisingly, at the next time check the Vics were ahead. What we couldn't see was a clip of the wheels and a slight easing of pace. WA gained the lead with 1km to go and just smashed it home. It was an awesome ride! During a race, the riders can try and communicate with each other, ease, 3 riders, go etc, but in reality under aero helmets all of the words sound the same so you can imagine what would happen when one rider yells ease but the other hears go. It's amazing that they do stay together.
Women's Team Pursuit
Winner, Belinda Goss cemented her position as the points race expert but I couldn't tell you what she did in the race. I was lucky enough to be watching the race with Bec Halliday's mum, Bec was going into the race for experience and to have a play. Unfortunately very early in the race Bec had a mechanical, her chain had broke (the second time on the trip). Luckily, our super team mechanic, Bobby Barnes fixed it in no time and Bec was able to resume racing. Unfortunately, DB was pushing her out and back into the race during a sprint lap which left Bec chasing. A super effort got her back on and before we knew it she was in an attack. This lasted long enough for Bec to place in two sprints and suddenly she was in 4th place. A bit of excitement towards the end of the race resulted in a crash taking out WA's Davina Summers and third place getter Tess Downing. Bec was unable to gain any more points but did a fantastic job to finish 6th.
Men's Points Race
Frieburg was on fire in this race. Sitting patiently he waited until about half way to take a lap. After a quick recovery he took another lap! We didn't see DB asking him to take another lap but if he did it would have been up there with ride of the series! Burger had to finish in front of the American to hold on to 3rd place and it was a fight to the finish, but he held on.
U19 Women's Keirin
Mel Hoskins was WA's only finalist in this race and rode very smartly. She got straight onto the wheel of the seemingly unbeatable sprinter, Annette Edmonson. Again, another patient rider, Mel went with all of the accelerations but had me worried she wasn't go to try and take the win. Coming out of the last bend she went for it and stormed past Nettie. Hopefully someone has a photo because the look on Mel's face was priceless.
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