Thursday, December 24, 2009

End of the year... again!

It is upon us again, that crazy December / January time...
for me this means...
some of this,

and watching some of this,

caring for patients like these,

as well as watching some of this,

and some of this,

and doing some of this myself!

And if you are reading this... Merry Christmas and have a brilliant start to 2010.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Changing times, random thoughts


Well October and November have been interesting to say the least, and December will probably continue to be so as well. The Jacaranda trees have faded out again, and now the bold red Poinciana trees are the backdrop to my training rides.
My 'normal' veterinary workplace has been busy, with lots of changes (including a few new staff and maybe a big expansion in 2010) and my Saturday workplace (Velo) has also announced some upcoming changes.

I have had to establish a new 'base' of fitness and the strength training is continuing (yes I can ride lots of hills again now!) with some more intensity on the horizon. This time of the year is pretty typical for change; for some reason many people choose to move house during this time of the year just before they 'settle in' for Christmas and New Year; while in the cycling world, teams are busy announcing new sponsors and new rosters.

As an aside, did you know that the women's Colavita cycling team is now co-sponsored by the Italian chocolate brand "Baci"? I think that would be the end of any optimal power-to-weight ratio for me!

Changes are often good (repeat ten times) and they certainly make life interesting... even if I sometimes approach them with a bit of trepidation!

Nationals in Ballarat are still the goal for early next year, but we will see what this next month or so brings. I will make the most of my training opportunities when I can, knowing that things really can change so quickly.

I have had goals before that never quite made it to fruition due to some 'unexpected' changes.

Just recently, one of my work colleagues found out they can no longer continue their favorite hobby due to some chronic injuries, so they have had to take up a completely new sport. While a very good friend of mine already won't be racing in January due to a cycling accident just a few weeks ago.

It does make you realise that you can adapt to change, and for me, it has also emphasised that cycling really is far from being the most important thing in my life. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy cycling immensely, but yes I could cope if it was taken away. On another note, I found this beautiful photo and caption just recently on Amber Rais's blog...
She writes: "Things for which I am thankful... True Love and bicycles".

Monday, October 26, 2009

Accepting good advice

It was so hard to let go of the routine of training in the beginning, but now 5 weeks later, I am glad I did. Back into training this week and so looking forward to it. Bit of a shame to be missing some of the early summer criteriums, but that's life, and there's so much more racing ahead that I realise it doesn't really matter in the long term.

As usual, Joe Friel has some timely advice... and I am now really happy I took advantage of my rest period. (and I know Craig B will be nodding his head saying "I told you so" about now too). Without Cameron's guidance I would have definitely gone deep into the overtraining zone.

"You may be feeling a bit guilty about not working out seriously during your downtime. It is understandable because it can be hard to let go of hard-earned fitness. My clients often feel that way. In fact, one of them got carried away with his uncoached transition period and managed to create his second-highest fitness of the year in four-weeks! I've given him a hard time about this because my concern is that he'll wind up mentally and physically wasted and not be able to focus on challenging workouts and high performance when it counts next season. This client is unfortunately on his way to being a 'Christmas Star' - an athlete who performs great during December but fades as the next season comes around. He's made it more difficult - not less - to be in top form on that race day." - Joe Friel

Monday, October 5, 2009

Down time


On strict instructions from my coach Cam, I have just had two weeks "off", and have another few weeks of very 'light' bike rides until I am allowed back into full training again.

Some say it is best to have a rest when you are close to peak form, and not once you are fatigued and over-trained, but can I just say that these 2 weeks have been really difficult!

Maybe it was good that in the second week off, I came down with a terrible flu and did not feel tempted to go out 'secretly' on my bike?
Anyway, the few times I have been out, it has been nice to slow things down and take notice of stuff other than heart rate and time!... I have started to notice the blue sky and bay again, and the flowering Jacarandas.

I should appreciate it while it lasts before I go back to efforts and intensity once more, and back into racing.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Grafton to Inverell weekend


What a super weekend (that makes two in a row now for me!)...
great weather, great racing, combined with lots of people working hard to achieve their own cycling goals. For some the goal was a podium place or a KOM/QOM jersey, and for others it was to complete the race.


Too many people to name and congratulate on induvidual performances... but I know of many that did well, and perhaps even exceeded their own expectations. For a few, I know it was a case of 'there is always next year'!


Personally, I had a really solid & fun race, without any cramping issues; and learnt a lot again from racing with the top girls (in the 95k Glen Innes to Inverell race).

On a very sad note, I have heard that only this week, top 24 hour mountain biker & all-round good guy Jeff Toohey was 'cleaned up' by a car while on a training ride, and is currently in ICU with severe head and spinal injuries at RBH. Hopefully you will come through this as smoothly as possible Jeff, best wishes for a quick recovery, we are all thinking of you.

Monday, September 7, 2009

UCI World MTB & Trials Champs


Worthwhile going down to Canberra for the first weekend in September?

You bet it was!

I'll let the photos do the talking...

Aussie, aussie, aussie, oi, oi, oi...

(Thanks to Steve Nightingale for some of the photos... mine are not this good.)

Next time I will need to bring a bike (or two) with me.


And a big shout-out to Jodie Willett, local Qld girl who did just awesome in the women's XCO race... only better things ahead for you! :)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Qld Champs & some more learning


So while the current ‘heat wave’ was hitting SE Qld in the last week or so, this weekend it was also time for the annual Qld State Road C’Ships. I must say that 12 months ago I would not even have thought of lining up in this race with the other Elite girls, but things change, and here I was. We had just over 100km to race around Kalbar (just west of Beaudesert/Boonah); with 1 small lap first, and then 3 ‘big laps’ (with a reasonably tough climb on each of the ‘big laps’ dubbed by some as ‘The Wall’… not sure it is really that bad, but it definitely does hurt the more times you have to go over it). Simone and Louise were again in fine form (and again created a classic two person break). Even in the stifling conditions, they well deservedly earned themselves a first and second place. Only four girls out of ten finished the race. My result… a DNF.

I felt good, I had my climbing legs with me, but I had made some ‘fatal’ mistakes even before the race started by not hydrating properly that morning (especially on such a hot day). About 55km into the race (on our second time over ‘The Wall’) I had such horrible cramps in all my leg muscles (and even in my hands) that I just had to retire… that’s racing.
There were some amazing performances in the other mens’ and womens’ races all day… just to complete the race was a challenge as the day got hotter. One result in particular I have to mention, was Andy Patten’s win in the MMAS3 category… well earned after all the training he does week in and week out (and so nice after he missed out last year with second place).
As I contemplate ‘what went wrong’ (and what went right) in my particular race, I thought I would steal this advice from Joe Friel (www.trainingbible.com)...
“Athletes must realize that there are many factors that influence your readiness on race day, such as diet/hydration, sleep/rest and lifestyle stress. We're all biological organisms, not machines. Regardless of how well we manage things, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. That's simply the way the real world is for humans.”

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Friday Coffee

I love the smell,

I love the look...

What's not to love about fridays...

Monday, August 10, 2009

Classic training rides

Brisbane Sunday bunch rides...
'Zupps' ride = a flat fast return loop past Redcliffe & Sandgate...


OR if you prefer something with lots of climbing,


try Mt Mee and Dayboro,

then Samford, and Goat Track to Mt Nebo,


and then back to Southbank for coffee.

Those that know me, know which one I choose more often than not!