The last time we posted, we were coming off a solid training week in Rossland and I was feeling awesome! Coming back to Vancouver, I was riding Seymour often, and feeling super confident on the BCBR North Shore stage. Riding buddies started commenting on my performance too. And perhaps I let my confidence surpass my ability once or twice... it was time for a check.
Highs and lows are true in all aspects of life, and certainly in sport, but I've never experienced them as intensely and frequently as in mountain biking.
Low #1: the crash
Coming off some R&R (and maybe one too many Margaritas) with friends in Scottsdale, Arizona, I was back on the trails last Wednesday. The ride was going fairly well, but somewhere near the end coming down 'Severed D', I went over the handlebars while mishandling a drop. I've had many falls off the bike, but I've never done a header over the handlebars. In some ways, it felt like a rite of passage as a mountain biker, but one that doesn’t need to happen again! I came out dirty, bloody, and bruised, not to mention fairly dazed and thankful for my helmet. But I was in one piece.
Low #2: the crack
With a flat tire on my bike and after the impact it had taken, it felt like time to take it in to see the doc (aka Lou) at Obsession Bikes for what I thought would be a routine tune up. That is, until I was informed that I'd cracked my frame. My beautiful, brand new, carbon frame. The chain stay was cracked 3/4 of the way through. I immediately knew when it had happened - on a tumble I had taken into rocks on the Columbia River trail near Rossland. We'd checked out my bike then, and noticed only scratches. I felt terrible for not noticing the crack sooner, and for continuing to ride hard, which likely made things worse. The silver lining in my more recent crash became clear - it led me to take the bike in before the crack got any worse. And thankfully Obsession is able to fix it up to be better than new.
Without a bike this week, the guys at Obsession graciously offered to take me out on their Tuesday night ride and set me up on a bike. Getting back on the bike after my crash, on a new bike, with an exceptionally strong crew, on trails I'd never ridden was a serious challenge. I was not riding well, and although my body was healing, my ego felt injured. I am grateful to James who recognized the skill gap and got me back to the trucks safely. Nonetheless, I got home feeling discouraged. A few chats with colleagues today had me feeling better and eager to get back on track. "What had I learned?" was the question they asked. And here it is:
1. Mental toughness will be just as important as physical toughness (if not more) on this race. This past week provided some serious training in mental toughness!
Low #2: the crack
With a flat tire on my bike and after the impact it had taken, it felt like time to take it in to see the doc (aka Lou) at Obsession Bikes for what I thought would be a routine tune up. That is, until I was informed that I'd cracked my frame. My beautiful, brand new, carbon frame. The chain stay was cracked 3/4 of the way through. I immediately knew when it had happened - on a tumble I had taken into rocks on the Columbia River trail near Rossland. We'd checked out my bike then, and noticed only scratches. I felt terrible for not noticing the crack sooner, and for continuing to ride hard, which likely made things worse. The silver lining in my more recent crash became clear - it led me to take the bike in before the crack got any worse. And thankfully Obsession is able to fix it up to be better than new.
Without a bike this week, the guys at Obsession graciously offered to take me out on their Tuesday night ride and set me up on a bike. Getting back on the bike after my crash, on a new bike, with an exceptionally strong crew, on trails I'd never ridden was a serious challenge. I was not riding well, and although my body was healing, my ego felt injured. I am grateful to James who recognized the skill gap and got me back to the trucks safely. Nonetheless, I got home feeling discouraged. A few chats with colleagues today had me feeling better and eager to get back on track. "What had I learned?" was the question they asked. And here it is:
1. Mental toughness will be just as important as physical toughness (if not more) on this race. This past week provided some serious training in mental toughness!
2. Confidence-building rides are key. After a crash, stick to an easy ride to boost the confidence back up. (I'm looking forward to doing this as soon as I get my bike back!)
3. I'm surrounded by an amazing and supportive community for which I am extremely grateful.
And now I'm ready for a good ‘ol mtn bike high!
3. I'm surrounded by an amazing and supportive community for which I am extremely grateful.
And now I'm ready for a good ‘ol mtn bike high!
Ooooh. I am so sorry you had such a tough week, Joanna. No doubt, the mental aspects of mountain biking are as, if not more, tough than the physical. Only miles under the wheels bring that - and you are logging plenty! After more than 30 years of riding, I still need the odd ego-boost ride. And, as strange as it sounds, you learn how to fall. If you can anticipate at all, it makes such a difference to the landing. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI'm also training for BCBR 2016 and took a big crash at the bottom of Severed D a few weeks ago. I think there's just something in the loam there from ghosts of BCBRs past. Your words ring true. Only path forward i have found it to just keep pedalling. See you in 30 days!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment! Nice to connect with another participant. See you on the trials!!
ReplyDelete