The week leading up to the Nissan TrailSeeker was one word- hectic! But it was also an exciting and amazing experience.
Starting on Monday, I went for my first photo shoot, posing like a real model for those few hours- #excitement. On Tuesday I had to write a semester test and with all the studying I had to do, before I knew it the whole day was gone.
Wednesday I woke up early to catch a flight to KZN for the "Go Durban" non-motorized transport launch where I was the guest speaker, together with the Mayor and Nolan Hoffman. What a great initiative for cyclists, I wish we had something like that in Gauteng. Thursday was another University test, so it was non-stop! But it was great, I passed my tests well, did ok for a beginner model, think I also made a good speech, but now to the real business.
Thursday evening I got on my trainer for an hour and a half “hurt box”; Friday I did another 2 hour ride and my legs were still ok.
Race day I woke up early, a bit tired as usual. My teammate Stuart Marias picked me up, I had my new Kargo kit from Enjoy Fitness on and we were ready to race.
The whistle was blown, off we went; the speed was ok, but the dust was too much- luckily I had my Nike sunglasses on. But I wanted to challenge myself, take chances and maybe it might work; teaching myself to be comfortable with pain.
So I launched the first attack and I could see the gap opening. I was going strong, but then I was sent off in the wrong direction by the Marshall so I had to chase back to the front group.
I felt like a bus, most of the other riders I was passing were joining my slipstream- as skinny as I am. I was in 7th position when I hit the "wall" and started cramping; I had nothing, zero, in my legs for the last 20km. Everyone was leaving the bus and attacking, the only thing I could do was watch everyone go past and try slipstream on the other. First, second, and third 32Gi gel and I was able to finish.
I finished in 37th place- the worst I’ve done this year. Overall I was a bit disappointed, but it was great to be racing, I loved every minute, except the last 20km! This week I’m getting ready for the next one, the Hollard Jozi Urban MTB Adventure- promise to be smarter on this one.
Well done to my teammate Stuart Marais for his amazing 2nd place finish and thanks for the ride. Thanks also to Kargo Pro MTB Team (@KARGOPROMTBTEAM), Kargo National (@KargoNational), 32Gi (@32Gi), Momsen Bikes (@MomsenBikes), Enjoy Fitness (@EnjoyFitnessZA) and Nike Vision (NikeVisionSA).
Starting on Monday, I went for my first photo shoot, posing like a real model for those few hours- #excitement. On Tuesday I had to write a semester test and with all the studying I had to do, before I knew it the whole day was gone.
Wednesday I woke up early to catch a flight to KZN for the "Go Durban" non-motorized transport launch where I was the guest speaker, together with the Mayor and Nolan Hoffman. What a great initiative for cyclists, I wish we had something like that in Gauteng. Thursday was another University test, so it was non-stop! But it was great, I passed my tests well, did ok for a beginner model, think I also made a good speech, but now to the real business.
Thursday evening I got on my trainer for an hour and a half “hurt box”; Friday I did another 2 hour ride and my legs were still ok.
Race day I woke up early, a bit tired as usual. My teammate Stuart Marias picked me up, I had my new Kargo kit from Enjoy Fitness on and we were ready to race.
The whistle was blown, off we went; the speed was ok, but the dust was too much- luckily I had my Nike sunglasses on. But I wanted to challenge myself, take chances and maybe it might work; teaching myself to be comfortable with pain.
So I launched the first attack and I could see the gap opening. I was going strong, but then I was sent off in the wrong direction by the Marshall so I had to chase back to the front group.
I felt like a bus, most of the other riders I was passing were joining my slipstream- as skinny as I am. I was in 7th position when I hit the "wall" and started cramping; I had nothing, zero, in my legs for the last 20km. Everyone was leaving the bus and attacking, the only thing I could do was watch everyone go past and try slipstream on the other. First, second, and third 32Gi gel and I was able to finish.
I finished in 37th place- the worst I’ve done this year. Overall I was a bit disappointed, but it was great to be racing, I loved every minute, except the last 20km! This week I’m getting ready for the next one, the Hollard Jozi Urban MTB Adventure- promise to be smarter on this one.
Well done to my teammate Stuart Marais for his amazing 2nd place finish and thanks for the ride. Thanks also to Kargo Pro MTB Team (@KARGOPROMTBTEAM), Kargo National (@KargoNational), 32Gi (@32Gi), Momsen Bikes (@MomsenBikes), Enjoy Fitness (@EnjoyFitnessZA) and Nike Vision (NikeVisionSA).