Owtway oddessy

One of the toughest Marathon MTB races is over for another year and i believe it was the best one yet. A quick update on my week before i give you a race report.

Tuesday night the family and i went to the MTB critt under Burke rd bridge. After a few crashes on the early laps due to my adjusted riding style caused by the shoulder ligament injury, i was able to work into a handy lead to take out the $100 up for grabs in A grade. I am looking forward to a full series of these races around Christmas as Mitchell loves riding the trails down there also.

Thursday i saw the Knee specialist. He was a bit surprised by the MIR scan as it showed that i have completely snapped my Anterior Cushier Ligament in my right knee. This gives me 2 options, leave it and no longer run or do any sport or activity's that involve twisting or sudden turning. The other is a complete knee reconstruction involving about 8 weeks rehab. I took the complete knee reconstruction. It is booked for the 14th of April just after the Australian 24 Hour Solo Championships.

Back to the Owtway Odyssey. It was an early start as i had to register before the start. They had giving me No.13, just what i needed to settle pre race nerves. It was a fast start again as we rolled out of town and then began climbing. One thing i won't forget was looking back down from the top to see riders snaking there way along the road we had just blown our lungs apart coming up. I came into the first drink station in 7th place feeling better than in previous years. The next loop took allot out of me. This was fun flowing single track but with the shoulder injury i found i had to really focus on what i was doing just to hold a wheel. As we started the last loop it showed as we started to climb and i just rode a solid tempo to get me to the finish. In the end i managed 9th place which i was happy with considering the lead up. I will be back next year hoping for a top 5 finish.

Bushfire fundraiser

Congratulations to all who supported the 6 hour race at the You Yangs. Apparently $35,000 was raised and donated to the red cross bushfire relief. To all who organized this great event 'thank you' you make me proud to be associated with the MTB community.

As for the race, it was a great fun event. I had a great start which ended 10mins in when i strayed off line hitting a rock, flipping the bars. After repairing the damage i rejoined at the back of the race. A large lump of fluid appeared on my shin and something wrong with my shoulder i road for another 4 hours before getting another flat. With that i fixed it and called it a day. I saw first aid about my shoulder and it was established that i had stretched ligaments in my shoulder. It seems icing and anti-inflammatory for the next few days and i might make the start of the Owtways this weekend.

Don't forget this Tuesday night $100 is up for grabs if you can win A grade at the critts under Burk rd bridge (Yarra).

Bushfire fundraiser

I had my first hit out since the Scott 24 hour this week. On Tuesday night i took the family down to the MTB critts at the Eaglemont tennis courts under Burke Rd bridge. Mitch was there tearing it up on his walker bike. This was a great fast hit out lasting about 40mins. Next week should be good as there is $100 for the win in A grade.

In other news, this weekends enduro is now at the You Yang with all proceeds going towards the bushfire relief efforts. So for a great day of riding and fund raising, get down their.

The harder you work the harder it is to surrender.

With the heat set to soar into the mid 40's my early morning ride time has it's advantages. Setting out at 3am so i could get a good 8 hour ride in before the heat wave. With hilly races on the horizon i stayed in the Dandynongs to climb instead of going to the hell ride. All i can say is my knee has never felt better after draining the cyst and cortisone. This particular ride was one that i got a distinct feeling that the hard work was paying off. I could have ridden in the hills forever, i even broke curfew i was that deep in the zone. Today Terry's avenue seemed to flatten out and felt just like any other climb. Day's like these you wish you were racing and if your not you must hold back otherwise you will cook it for when you do race.

Tuesday night MTB critts and Knee update.

Well after some long and hard training today i had my cyst drained and cortisone injected into my knee. This will keep me going strong until i can fit the surgery in around the racing schedule. I am off to see the surgeon on Monday to find out what is involved with the surgery. One thing that has help keep my going is the high quality Ascend protein recovery, essential after each training session.

Also on Monday i am having an Eco Stess test at the Epworth to check on my heart. Due to its strange behavior over the years the doctor likes to keep a close eye on it and after having chest pain in Canada last year he is not going to take any chances.

Niggling physical problems like these are just events athletes have to deal with. I have learnt over the years you just have to deal with them the best you can as they are often out of your control. So take measures to have them fixed and focus on what you can control. eg Recovery and rehabilitation.

Skins are a great product to help speed the recovery process after training. Check out http://www.truespiritofcompetition.com/ for a look at skins moments in sport calendar that questions some classic moments in sport.

Riding wise i was able to get out on the Fatties Wednesday night ride. I picked my Giant Anthem up from ProMotion in North Road after a full service. It was great to hop on a fresh machine and smash along the Yarra full noise without it missing beat, giving you the adrenalin rush. If you would like to enhance your MTB skills this is the Weekly MTB ride to do. You should bring lights (Nightlightning) as it gets dark by 8:30.

Racing for me kicks of next Tuesday night at 6:30pm at the Fatties MTB critts. They are at the Eaglemont Tennis club Melway 31 K10 and entry is only $5 either A or B grade.