A bad habit...

Sometimes... your luck changes.

Sometimes... that bad habit you never bothered to deal with... trips you up.

Many women cyclists have this habit. We simply don't drink enough. It's a habit that creeps up on you. I suspect that a number of reasons. Firstly, it takes time to gain the confidence to lift your hand up off the handlebars and grab the bottle. Secondly, many of our frames are too small to take a second bottle comfortable. Finally - and most importantly - it's a lot more difficult to take a potty break when you're a female wearing bib-shorts - and very few public conveniences in Malta are open before 10am!

So I'm realising. Year by year - I got into the habit of drinking less. I can make a 700ml bottle last 4hrs on the bike. This is not good. Combine that with a hot, humid, windy race day and you have a crisis on your hands. It happened in the National Duathlon Championships - where I got off the bike and my stomach felt like a much used punch bag. Yet, on the day - I managed to hold it together just enough to win.

It happened again last Sunday in the National Long Distance Championships - an event I have won 5 times. And I lost it. My quad cramped, my hamstring cramped, my stomach hurt...I stopped sweating. In the previous 5 middle distance races, I was fairly lucky - with a comfortable margin on 2nd place, that allowed me to 'race properly'.  This time, I had an immensely strong and talented triathlete to contend with - my friend and national team-mate Maggie. Maggie swims like a fish. I do too sometimes - only when it gets choppy ... it can be described as dead fish style. My bike is currently stronger but I had to work really hard to catch up after losing 4minutes plus in the swim.

Maggie runs like a graceful gazelle. I certainly didn't last Sunday. She paced it right. She clearly got the hydration right. And she deserved to win. Well done Mags xx

I'm trying to drink more now - my stomach needs to be trained too... We'll see how that goes. But Baku is 120km ride. Poland is an Ironman 70.3 and Vichy is a full Ironman. If I want to perform to my full potential...this must be sorted.

Anyways. Next Sunday I join my friend Gabriella Nordin for a nice hilly 72km cycling race in Oxfordshire England. I'll be guesting for team GBcycles. 90 female cyclists! Wish us luck!!

The good, the bad and the ugly.

Bad news, exciting racing and more bad news - in that order. Thursday night brought the news that a cyclist was hit by a car and very badly hurt. Friday morning brought the news that he was a friend - a lovely guy, father of two little kiddies. 

As we raced the National Duathlon Championships, he was being operated on. As we 'suffered' through a brutal run course, fast bike and another brutal run - in super hot and dry conditions, Silvan was being put together by an amazing team of surgeons, nurses and doctors. There was a moment of joy for me, when I managed to take the title. It was hard fought as my competitors are super strong and I have full respect for their abilities. But that joy couldn't be complete. Because far more important than a title, is our role in our families. Thinking of his little kids - the eldest is the same age as mine - gives me goosebumps. This is too close to home.

There is hope for my friend. He is moving his legs - an amazing feat considering his multiple severe injuries. We, the cycling and sporting community, must now be there for him. We must visit often and be positive and encouraging. We must be ready to support him in every way possible. To this end, The Cyclist cycling club is collecting donations to help support his family in this difficult time. I encourage my friends to donate, via the Cyclist shop in San Gwann. 

And yet....

Yesterday another cyclist was hurt. Those haunting images of the smashed and bloody bus windscreen and the bike on the ground - the same model as I use...it's just too much!

I appeal to all my friends to drive carefully. To SEE us, to share the road with us. I appeal to all my friends to cycle carefully. I appeal to the government and the courts to see that proper justice is done - and SEEN to be done. I appeal to motoring schools and Transport Malta to work to educate our drivers, young and old. 

Because the ugly truth is that it's a jungle out there - you have to be on your guard as you drive, cycle, walk and even use a bus - people have been seriously hurt using ALL modes of transport. And until, we Maltese learn to respect everyone else around us - properly...this is how it's going to be.

All topsy-turvy!

So there I was, having a lie down and relaxing, when I get a call that sends my heart rate shooting into Zone 4 plus.

'Are you interested in going to Baku, 2015 1st European Games for the cycling race?'

Um...Hell yeah!!

I'll be competing in a 120km road race - a 9 lap course around the city centre of Baku. Each lap has a nice big hill in the middle:

So, yeah my plans have changed quite a bit. For starters, I had to withdraw from the Luxembourg 70.3 as it is on the same day. But the Luxembourg race comes round every year. Representing Malta in a top level cycling race is quite possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Some changes to my training have been made - mainly a greater emphasis on the bike, especially to develop resistance to constant surges etc.

I'll also be practically racing every weekend from now 'til the Baku games. So it's an exciting time and a stressful one. Getting the recovery right and staying healthy are the keys. Sleep, stretching, mental down time, nutrition, massage... and of course here a worthy mention thanking the Malta Olympic Committee for the amenities available to national team athletes, especially physiotherapy and use of the gym. I am making full use of them.

How do I feel? Excited, scared, determined, terrified, looking forward, proud...yep a multitude of emotions (here's hoping I don't burst out crying on the starting line lol). I'll be there racing with some of the best Europe has to offer, such as current Olympic Champion Marianne Vos. It'll be an awesome experience for sure. I am therefore determined to do my best and to race as hard as I can.

In the meantime - a shout out to my sponsors BMIT Ltd, SmartLightSystems Co. Ltd and Mochika, for their understanding and encouragement at all times.

http://www.baku2015.com/cycling-road/index.html

Sportsmanship and mental strength.

My four-year-old daughter came absolute last in a little fun run last Saturday. She took it quite badly. Nearly a week later, she's still upset that 'that boy' beat her. I don't know which kid in particular she's referring to but nonetheless, it appears some sportsmanship lessons are in order. 

Katie wasn't too pleased at being beaten...

The reality is that even as adults, it is sometimes difficult to be a good loser. That competitive streak, the adrenaline rush and the fact that we're 'on show' makes for a frustrating moment. Similarly, being a good winner is important. Either way, acknowledging and respecting competitors is an integral part of racing. Without them, there would be no racing in the first place. 

We need to remember though, that racing has a huge element of luck. Things can and do go wrong. Appreciating this and preparing mentally for whatever may happen is a significant part of daily training. What do you do if your goggles get kicked off your face? Can you keep calm, and put your goggles back on? Or what if you get a puncture? Do you burst out crying? Do you know how to change a tube or tyre? A little thought and mental rehearsal can prepare for some worst-case scenarios - and that includes losing to a stronger athlete. Finish the race, congratulate your competitors and smile. It's not always easy, but it is necessary. Then go home, have a private cry if you must, regroup and focus on the future. 

Switching back to sportsmanship - the classic example is Rebekah Keat giving that CO2 cartridge to her biggest competitor, Chrissie Wellington, in Kona 2008.

Respect! Could you honestly do that? 

My little girl told me that 'that boy' won't beat her again. 'Are you going to train for the next race?' I asked innocently. 

'No, next time I'll use my bicycle!' 

Ummmm... 

What an adrenaline rush!

Have you ever dreamt of something but never really thought it possible? That was me at the Tour of Malta. I'd participated some 7 times previously, but never hung on to the front group for more than a few minutes at best.

And then there was this year...

Stage 1:
A hilly 4 loop 17km time-trial. And I do mean hilly - max gradient around 12.4%. Owing to the turns being rather tight and midway through downhill sections, I chose to race on my Scott Foil 10 road bike with tiny aero bars attached. A dreary, windy, drizzly day.
First obstacle, the starting ramp looked slippery. They MADE me start from there. Somehow managed to get started safely. Straight into a downhill super windy section. My windpipe narrowed and I started wheezing badly - an asthma attack. I'm not sure how on earth I got round in one piece - in a hypoxic state (thank you Neil for all the hypoxic 25's in the pool!). At the last turnaround point I managed to pop out a contact lens, cue a miserable slightly foggy climb to the finish convinced I had done really badly.

Result: To my absolute astonishment - 3rd place overall having held 33km/hr. The smile on my face was wider than my handlebars ;)

Stage 2:
6 times round a hilly (note the recurring theme) 9km loop with the finish up a 1.7km climb that averaged 7%. The race tactics were funny - super slow in a windy section (the other recurring theme), nice and easy down the hill (against the wind), easy but much faster on the flat with the wind at our backs and then...sprint like mad up the hill - we were averaging about 20km/hr up the climb. Last lap: same thing except the climb was mental - it ended up being myself and the leading girl sprinting hard to the finish line...

Result: 2nd place in the stage and 3rd place in the GC maintained! My smile grew even wider :)

Stage 3:
Well, a gale force wind, thunder and lightning through the night, strong winds and drizzle, a road that was not in the best conditions (to put it mildly) - stage was cancelled. A difficult but correct decision.

I took the time to google my competitors. Turns out the race leader, Henrietta Colborne is a 16 year old cycling prodigy in the UK - races on the velodrome aside from road and is a multiple youth national champion. The 2nd place, Lou Collins has a marvellous 2nd place in Lanzarote, won her age-group in Kona, multiple national championships in triathlon and even raced Ironman pro for a while. I was in good company!

Stage 4:
Sunny! and windy...super windy. Race tactics were pretty much the same as in stage 2, except in the 2nd lap of 6 super hilly loops when Lou bravely attacked going up the (again) average 7% gradient so that Henrietta and myself had to work hard to neutralize. Last lap meant another gut busting super sprint uphill but they were that little bit stronger - both finishing 5 seconds ahead of me.

Result: Another bronze and 3rd place in GC held - my smile is now permanently fixed onto my face.

It was awesome!

I have to also praise all the other cyclists participating, particularly my other Maltese fellow cyclists, who supported me as best they could and made the race more interesting :)

Onwards...and upwards!

Of comfort zones and Sicilian Adventures

So last weekend I tried something new. I caught the ferry to Sicily. Believe it or not, in 33 years I had never got round to doing this. And it was somewhat of an experience, given the rough seas. And then I tried another new thing - I used my Garmin Edge 1000 to navigate my way from Pozzallo to Scicli. And the biggest new thing of all was participating in a Gran Fondo. 126km, lots of lovely long climbs and long downhills. A few switchbacks and the experience of riding in a group of about 16 cyclists - none of whom spoke English.

It was fun. It was also tough - especially the first and very hilly 60km. The start was quite fast, despite the fact that we were climbing up a 4 - 6% gradient for about 7km. This is where we all sorted ourselves into groups. I wasn't very sure of myself at the start and held back a little. But then I spotted a group of guys just ahead of me and I knew that I had to catch them and team up, or risk cycling alone. It was the right decision. The hills kept coming and after 20km I was wondering how on earth I was going to do another 100+ km. We hit the highest point at 70km and then it was mainly descents with short climbs here and there. Somewhere along the line we caught up with two cyclists - a guy and a girl. At this point it was game on. I tried to crack her - some hard climbs to see if she got dropped, but she held on. Towards the last 3km there was a short steep climb. I thought it was going to be longer so dropped to the small chain wheel. Big mistake, she attacked on the big gears and flew away. I sprinted hard but she and another three guys got away. Turns out she's a Scicli native and knows the roads very well. And she had done this event before, as had the girl that came first.

So I finished 3rd, having held 31.8km/hr for 126km. I'm well pleased though - especially with the box of lovely Sicilian tomatoes, aubergines, cucumbers and peppers that was part of my prize. The taste is beyond compare :)


It bears recognising that for a number of reasons - I was well out of comfort zone during the event. Firstly I live in Malta. Malta is tiny and we cyclists know all the roads by heart. We know exactly what is coming and what effort is needed. This makes for lazy reactions. Now being with a group, not always having full view of the road - and especially not knowing whether we were about to hit an uphill, downhill or corner was an excellent nervous system stimulator. Secondly, the longer absolute time spent in the same gradient - in other words simply longer roads. Those who know me will attest that I have a strong preference for long straight roads with no kinks. I gaze with envy and those who seem to enjoy twists and bends and technical sections. I also realise that the best way to learn to enjoy it - is to do these sections often. 

I'm also so glad I went up as part of a group. Great guys, no ego - plenty of communication, plenty of good humour. As an Ironman athlete - the journey is often lonely. Long hours spent training hard with no one to share a joke with. I have made an effort to spend Sundays cycling on my road bike with other club cyclists. Not only is it more stimulating but quite frankly nicer.  Will it pay off? I think so.

Thank Yous

It goes without saying doesn't it...no man is an island. And I would have got absolutely nowhere without all the persons who have supported me in various ways. Maybe it sounds funny to a lot of people when an athlete posts a long list of thank yous, to coaches, sponsors, family. But where would be without them?

I understand the need to make fun of this too. I myself am amused when friends post thank yous to the local fast-food supplier. But do understand. Every time I get a taste of the holy grail that is sponsorship, I am working. I have signed a contract, and this contract is a responsibility. I am obliged to bring attention to the brand, to play a role in the marketing and promotion. In certain cases I am also obliged to use their products and to give feedback on them.

Therefore, while I appreciate any sponsor I get and do my best for them, it must be kept in mind that I would only accept a sponsor that aligns with my principles and whose brand is of value. This is important both for my own reputation - and for the reputation of those brands and companies that do sponsor me. Only in this way can I truly promote them, with confidence that they provide a solid service and product. It can therefore be understood that BMIT Ltd and Mochika-Outdoor Life posses these qualities and I am proud to represent them.

Of course, for every athlete, the biggest sponsor is always their own family. In my case, the value of the time donated by my husband, parents and siblings in child care is of infinite value. At a young age my parents supported me financially - buying my shoes, my first ever racing bike, my first ever swimming lessons. For this I thank them heartily. And the same goes for my husband, Philip. It wasn't easy taking the decision to stop working and focus on a PhD and full time triathlon training. His support was crucial to this. I doubt I would have got anywhere without him.

I can go on and on about my friends too. Too many to mention really - and I'm sure I'll forget someone. But I've been helped with time, transport, marketing myself, coaching, bike fitting, and simple support and belief in me - which counts for a lot.

Maybe I should stop before it gets sentimental. But I could never make it all about me me me. Because it isn't and it shouldn't be. Therefore I will stop with a huge THANK YOU to all of you. xxxxxx

My first blog ever...

Hmmm have you ever had a steady stream of coherent thought as you tried to sleep? Have you ever solved all the world's problems in between desperate attempts to shut off and you know...sleep? And then wrote the best ever blog...and completely forgot it in the morning..

So I'm starting a blog. In the afternoon. Fully coherent. But I intend to post some blogs at those moments where I've completely given up any illusion of sleep. Here I must thank my good friends Michele and Donatelle for coming up and imprinting that awesome nickname on me, which came in useful for my blog name ;)

Where was I? Oh yes. This blog. Finally got round to it. Now, do I keep it nice and light? Do I share the cynical, sometimes bitchy thoughts I occasionally have? Or maybe a bit of both. We'll see. Keep reading to find out.

I suppose I should introduce myself for those who haven't got the slightest clue who I am. My name is Michelle and I'm an aspiring Ironman pro athlete.

There I said it.

I paid the pro licence and I will be racing in the professional category this year at a number of events, the first Maltese person to do so. Is this scary? Yes indeed. Doubts creep in. I wonder often if I really should be in that same group of people that I've admired for so long. Then again, I have to try. You never know what you can do until you really start trying properly. And by properly I mean the discipline to listen, learn and stop avoiding the extra work. And so..my first blog ends as I remember I've been avoiding the dreaded stretch cords, core and foam rolling session....