After 6 months of training, racing, and a couple of bad ribs to nurture, it was time to take it easy, at least that’s what I thought. Little Benny had different ideas; at 13 he has no interest in sightseeing, he just wanted make the most of his last 4 days in America riding his bike. A sucker for not wanting to disappoint, I got dragged out to show Ben the local trails. After an hour of climbing he was thrilled by the 40 minute single track downhill. Although my ego wasn’t the best after having to take all the chicken lines at terribly slow speeds trying to protect my uncomfortable ribs. It was boot camp training for the 13-year-old, 12 hours on the bike in 4 days and then we dropped him off at the airport, Australia bound.

It brings back memories of my first international flight; I was somewhat older than 13, but probably less experienced. Heading from Australia to Spain for the 2000 World Championships, looking back it was one of the worst connections I’ve ever had. The things you do to save a buck, 1hr Hobart to Melbourne, 9 hrs Melbourne to somewhere in Asia, followed by 12 hrs to Vienna (Austria), not sure how long from Vienna to Barcelona which was to be followed by another flight to Granada (South Spain), with connections the trip adds up to over 40 hrs of travel. Anyway, I missed the connection in Barcelona, and was told there was not another flight until the following day, couldn’t work out how to use an international phone card, then when I was trying to find information from the info desk, was told in English that she didn’t speak or understand English. I know Australian is a weird language, but I still thought it was a form of English?? Boy, did I feel stranded; I ended up spending my first night overseas sleeping on a wooded bench inside the airport. I woke to find that I had either started a trend or it was common practice for people who missed flights to crash on the wooden benches. Finally I made it to the Worlds, with what would have to be one of the longest travel times ever?!? Easily exceeding 50 hours from door to door! I was glad that Ben had a very simple flight path, and made it home safe and sound.

The last few days, I’ve been taking it easy, eating all the things I shouldn’t! I don’t know how I got through 5 tubs of ice-cream in as many days, but it did happen :-/ To my surprise I only put on 600 grams, which is awesome, guess the YOR Health products helped me there.

With 7 weeks to the next PRO XCT, it’s time to get the base back up, before going into the next block of intensity leading into Mt Snow. Until next time…..

Sid Taberlay