PODIUM ON THE FIRST WC

I`ve to say I surprised myself with my 3rd place in the first WC in Pietermarizburg. I was hoping for a top 10 result, but since my legs and body felt tired and really bad the week before, I didn`t know what to expect. During the last days before the World Cup all my focus was on resting and good massage from our team souinour Claire. She did a great work on my legs after a long travel to South Africa and also considering my bad lags after all.

The course was hard and fast, many riders compered it with the Olympics in Beijing. The heat was also an issue since I was coming from Norway and it`s still quit cold there. After some years travelling around for different races it seems like I can handle both warm and cold weather which is a good thing in moutain biking. During the race the heat didn`t really bother me at all☺

I did have good legs from the start and I was already in the top 6 after the first lap.The gaps between the girls where not big so I could just focus on finding my speed and work from there. During the race I felt better and better so I was able to move from 6th place to 3rd place within 3 laps. I was also getting closer to Irina in 2nd place but with just a half lap left 30sec was to much for me. After all 3rd place was a great result for me and I was happy to be on the podium again.

2 X 2nd PLACE IN SEA OTTER CLASSIC

After a even longer travel from South Africa to USA than from Norway to South Africa the whole team was ready for a visit at the Specialized office in Morgan Hill, It`s my second time there after 2007 when I first joined Specialized Factory Racing. Like the first time I was very impressed about meeting so many friendly people at the office, It so interesting to see how serious they work with developing all their equipment and bikes. After a warm welcome we went around to have a look at all the different sections of the office before we got into our riding kits to get ready for the daily lunch ride they do. One hour ”full gas” on the bike and then back to work again, not everybody has that opprutunity at work.

The next day we drove to Monterey to take part of the Sea Otter Classic. With a big jet lag I needed a good recovery the first couple of days, some easy days on my bike and good massage. During the last years I`ve done a big amount of traveling but still I have problems traveling in different time zones.. I find it hard to stay awake and sleep when I have to and my body is sleeping on the bike.

The good thing is that I did recover enough to be at the podium on the short track as well as the cross country race.:) I even won the overall with two 2nd places and the team had great results this weekend.

So now I`m on my way to Europe again sitting with an emergency exit in economy class listing to Coldplay on ITunes. Two weeks and two World Cups is left before I can travel home again. The first week in Germany in Offenburg and then Houffalize in Belgium, both places where I like to race and courses that familiar to me.

I guess I should have been sleeping now, more easy to say than do...I know for sure what kind of feeling I will have the next couple of days!! At least I`ll be back in ”normal” timezone which will make It more easy to stay in contact with family and friends back home.

Best regards

Lene