Blog

The end of Winter training

24th Mar 2015

The final round of the Gorrick Spring Series (my local MTB races) last Sunday marks the end of winter training. Thanks to awesome photography by Lighttrapper at the event, I am writing this blog mainly as an excuse to use them!

Ace photography at the Gorrick thanks Lighttrapper!

The Gorrick Enduros and XC races have been great for improving technical skills over the winter – practising in race conditions but where the outcome doesn’t matter. It was a chance to try out different bike setups, gears, nutrition strategies and even double race weekends where I do a duathlon one day and mountain bike race the next, just so I am used to racing on tired legs! It all seems to have paid off with steady progress throughout the season.

With MTB coach Tom Dowie

I have been working with a great MTB coach, who gets me riding the steep stuff and drop-offs where I would previously have taken the B-line! Thanks Tom - always look forward to our sessions which are well worth the 3-hour round trip!

With Team HowgoodcouldIbe!

I’ve also been working on my fitness, strength and bike setup with coach Jez – and while my husband continues to think I am a lunatic, nothing makes me happier than ticking off the training sessions day in, day out, week in, week out! There’s no shortcut to good results - it’s all about the consistent hard work.

It’s great having Jez design the program, not least so I don’t overdo or overthink things, but often I find amusing “sessions” like: No training this afternoon. Spend some time with Simon and you’re not allowed to think about being an athlete!

I should also thank Paul and Sarah Davies for their epic guided tours of the Peak District, especially that freezing icy day in January, when a passer-by shouting at me made me so angry I cleaned Jacob's Ladder in one attempt!

Natural goodness from OSMO and Honey Stinger

I’ve also been trying out different hydration and fuelling strategies before and during races. I was lucky enough to be offered sponsorship from Honey Stinger and OSMO this year through 2Pure.

I wasn’t tolerating the artificial sweeteners, flavours, or even too much sugar found in some other nutrition brands. But Honey Stinger and OSMO fulfil the (often conflicting) needs of performing in sport whilst also eating healthily! They use only natural and organic ingredients – much kinder on the digestive system when racing, as well as for long term health. This ultimately means better performance! Not to mention great tasting drinks, bars, chews and so on ;)

One the way to 3rd place in the final Gorrick race, and 1st in the series

It’s been a great winter – an unbeaten streak of winning 5 offroad duathlons, consistent podiums in my MTB races, and the icing on the cake - winning the Gorrick Spring Series!

Thanks to all my sponsors that I haven't yet mentioned - your support makes it all possible! Zone3, Drummond Clinic, David Lloyd and of course Mountain Trax.

So with the clocks about to change – summer is almost here and I’m looking forward to the Xterra European Tour! This kicks off in Malta on Sunday, followed by Xterra Portugal in May – can’t wait!