Vic Metros: Finding that zone...

Sat 26 November: Vic Metros Championships. I had entered both the 500TT and the 3k Individual Pursuit. 500TT – I was looking forward to better my time from the Omnium last week. 3k individual pursuit, the full distance for elite women – hmm.. this was 1k more than what I’ve ever done – a first time and I’ve only had one go at training over the full distance – not sure what to expect – a little nervous.

With juniors right up to masters categories, boys, girls, men, women, the velodrome was buzzing with noise. Plenty of riders, lots of activity going around. Absolutely loved it!

Pushing off the starting gate in the 500TT (Photo by Leanne Cole) 

First up – 500TT. Today I stepped up to the gates with a little more confidence than I had from the weekend before. I knew what I had to do – 500m is not that far – I just had to go hard – real hard – from the gun. Bang. I kicked once, twice. Lifted the back disc wheel up – for a split second I thought my wheel had locked up. Oh cr…kicked – it was fine. Lifted the wheel another time. Hmm….a really really wobbly start – I had to make up for it now. I quickly revved up and focused every bit of effort into the ride. Heard the cheers from my Quickcycle team-mates, heard the bell with 1 to go – I was absolutely pumped. I put all I had into the final lap – looked up as I crossed the finish – 41.5s. Two whole seconds off my attempt last week. I was stoked! Putting it in perspective – it wasn’t that quick a time. Came in 5^th overall out of 7 riders. Yet today, I knew where I could have made up time. I could analyse each bit of my ride – split each bit into its individual blocks – and put it together again. Can’t wait to try out the 500TT at States in 2 weeks!

Next up – 3km pursuit. With only 4 riders in our category, I just needed to qualify for the finals. Jammed my knee right into my bars from the gun – ouch! No time to think – just go. I wasn’t sure what it was – but I just could not quite find a rhythm in the first 4 laps. I was moving up and down between the black and red line – I was wobbling all over the place. I was trying to make up the time lost from the start in the first lap – but it certainly felt like I was trying way too hard – too hard to maintain a steady pace. Alright this has to stop. Lap 5 – a little lactic kicked in – and I focused hard on keeping in control.  The next 4 laps were brilliant – every lap I found Simon standing on the pursuit line – I was finally back on schedule. I was in that zone.  Lap 9 and just like that – I lost it. One minute I was flying, and the next I had nothing in my legs. I was massively down on schedule and again, felt my bike moving all over the place. I was tensing up again. Every lap seemed to take forever – Simon was now shouting for me to lift and increase the pace. The more I tried, the slower I got. I was almost in tears at this point. Something was just not quite right today.  2 laps to go and I knew I had to give everything I had. With 1.5 laps to go – Laine who I was riding against caught me and rode past. Bell lap and I tried to give one final lift to finish it off. And just like that it was done. 4:15. 12s slower than I had aimed for. It took me 2 whole laps before I could finally bring the bike to a stop. I was disappointed – I knew it was my first full distance pursuit, yet, I wanted to do much better. I found out later that my front wheel was flat from a slow leak – so who knows what it really was – nerves, or a mechanical. Whatever it was, I shook it off and was keen for another shot – I now had to ride off for the gold medal.

Grimacing in the pursuit (Photo by Leanne Cole) 

With the massive thunderstorm outdoors, the air in the velodrome was cold – and sleepiness was now starting to sink in. I changed to a bigger gear as I knew my legs were a little tired and I wouldn’t be able to rev as quickly. Somehow this time I was a little more relaxed going into the ride-off. I knew what I had to do. The legs felt heavy from the start. Probably a bit too much gear. With 8 laps to go, I was totally stuffed. Could not spin – just riding along. I tried and tried, but just could not find that pain zone, that TT zone. 6 laps to go - I just had to continue convincing myself not to give up and just ride on. The harder I tried, the harder it got. Heard the bell go, gave it one last effort, and just like that, it was over. Didn’t get caught this time, but I had lost the ride off. Finished in 4:17, 2 seconds down from my earlier effort.

With Gold Medallist Laine Hammond 

A silver medal at the Metros – a reward for the day’s effort. Thanks to Mitch Barry for lending me his aero helmet, Simon for the support and the wheels, and all the parents and other mates who were supporting me. Although a little disappointed at not having rode to my schedule, I knew where I had gone wrong. I was actually trying way too hard! The pursuit is just like swimming – the more you struggle, the more you thrash at the water, the more you drown – it’s when you’re relaxed that you find your streamline and just glide. Watching the likes of world champions Alex Morgan and Jack Cummings pursuiting that day – super aero, super stable, legs just spinning – they’re almost just floating. I certainly hope to try and follow their footsteps. State Titles in 2 weeks – can’t wait to ride the pursuit again!! To find that zone – the zone where you don’t feel a thing, the zone where you’re just floating and letting everything go… 

Omnium!

Sat 19 Nov: Victorian Women’s Omnium at DISC. 5 events – best all round cyclist takes home the championship. I couldn’t help thinking about the event the whole week prior. It was like that something that sits at the back of your mind – constantly popping up.  I was really nervous yet really looking forward to the race – half of me wishing I had had taken this up earlier in the year. The 2 months of prep had gone by really quick – working with Simon to put the mental, physical and tactical building blocks together in that short time– and Saturday’s championship certainly arrived sooner than expected.

Race bike ready to go for the 500TT and Flying 200

Event 1: 500TT

2 laps. Flat out. Focus. I’ve come to love that sound of the starting gate. The 5 beeps - that final countdown before you kick off.  Sitting down waiting for my turn – I could feel my heart pounding. Put my hand on my chest. Breathe. 5,4,3,2,1 – I was off. Just rev, just rev. Come on Grace. The bell rung – that gave me the next boost. And then it was over. Just like that. I looked up at the scoreboard. 43.6s. Disappointed.  My start had let me down. 12^th/16. It had come down to tactical error.  I was close to the bottom of the ladder. Shake it off. I still had 4 more events to go.

Event 2: Flying 200

I was a lot more calmer now. Starting to loosen up a little. The flying 200 is one of pure speed. Winding up in that 2.5 laps to a maximal effort. Technique, technique – which line you took in the wind up mattered. It wasn’t just all about that final 200, but how you build up towards that maximal effort. 2 laps to go – I climbed to the top of the banks. I could hear Gary Hammond down below screaming ‘up, up, up’. I was going a little too slow, needed to wind up the gear a lot more.  And now. I got out of the saddle. Used the track as best as I could. Bell rung. And I was off. Had to go flat out. Stopped the clock at 13.9s. Finished a little better this time round. – 1.75s off the leader. Still 10^th/16. Again, technique was where I had come undone. 

Event 3: 5k Scratch

20 laps. Just like the weekly club racing. I was feeling a little more confident here. With them mixing up the U19s, Elite and Masters women we had a really big field. Pace was kept high. Everytime I rolled through, I tried to keep my position at the top of the field. Constantly trying to fight for a position. Finding the gaps. Who’s wheel to follow? Which gap to squeeze in? Yet, it was exciting. Those split second decisions all mattered. Bell lap. The sprinters were climbing over the top of me. I should have made the move earlier. Too late. No room to move – had to follow the wheel in front. 40m from the finish. I heard a yell of ‘up’ from underneath me – someone was trying to come through from underneath and then bam. A crash just next to me. Oh crap. It all happened so quick. No time to look, I drove for the finish. Finished 7^th/16. Much better this time round. I was pumping with adrenaline now.

All ready for the 2k Indiv Pursuit - 

Event 4: 2k Individual Pursuit

8 laps. I had been waiting for this event. Another gate start. This time much more prepared – nerves were shaken off. Go. Lap 1: I was down on schedule. Lifted the pace. Lap 2. I was now faster than the schedule. Good – hopefully I had made up the time I had lost on Lap 1. Lap 3 – another one faster than schedule. Great! I was pumped. But, I had totally lost count of the number laps I had to ride. Didn’t know where to look. I was strarting to get distracted. Lap 4: Another one above schedule. Good. But how many laps left? How much more in the tank? Really distracted now. Lap 5: Above schedule again. I really wanted to scream at Simon as I rolled past him. How many laps? Why wasn’t he telling me how many laps?  I could feel a bit of lactic acid building in the legs – breathing was starting to get heavy. Lap 6: There it was. That magic number I was looking for. 3 laps to go. On the board. Found it. Despite the lactic build-up, seeing the number of laps to go was almost surreal. I had finally found the answer I was looking for. And I think I pulled back just that tiny little bit to keep a bit of reserve. Bad mistake. Lap 7: Downhill. I was now down on schedule. Oh crap – all that hard work in the previous laps – spiralling down – fast. Legs were burning. Come on. Just focus. Lap 8:  Bell lap. Had to give everything I had. Every little bit. I had to empty the tank. Lifting each leg was hard. Just had to drive to the finish line. 2:47. I was stuffed. Finished 8^th/16. A little slower than I had hoped. Yet, I knew I had given everything I had on that last lap.

Event 5: 10k Points Race.

Finally – a longer race! 40 laps. I had managed to spin the lactic acid out from the previous race. I was certainly pumping now. Gear felt good – legs felt like they were floating. Race started. Got pushed onto the duckboard – first blunder. Crap. Jumped back in immediately. Sprint 1. Sprinters went. Finished 6^th. I wasn’t worried yet. Every intermediate sprint I tried – managed somewhere in the top 6. 10 laps to go – a lot of the sprinters had now dropped off. Good. I saw the girl I was trying to beat drop back.  3 laps to go – I was pulling the front. Not quite sure what to do. To roll up? Or just hold an easy pace up the front?  I opted for the later. Backed off the pace. Bell lap – I waited for the jump before I went. Wrong move. Should have gone earlier. Finished 8^th/16.

Overall, finished 8th/16 and 5th/7 in the Elite Category. I certainly enjoyed every single bit of that day.  From the highs to lows, the satisfaction to the disappointments, I enjoyed every minute of it. The omnium is certainly a great mix of events with races against the clock and bunch races. Just the learning in itself was brilliant – I felt I had just matured a lot more in just one day. Coming out now with times on the board, a whole long list of things I want to work on, and new goals and challenges set – I’m certainly looking forward to the next training session and the next race on the track. Mega thanks to Simon for his help that day – coach, mechanic, mentor – supporting me through the whole day, taking my times, changing my wheels and chain-rings – I almost felt like a pro for a day. And congrats to Shannon McCurley, Laine Hammond and Jessica Laws who took 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd respectively.

Next up – Metros Championships coming Saturday. 500TT and 3k Individual Pursuit. Will be going in with a whole lot more confidence – and certainly with a whole new challenge to beat the times I had last weekend!    

Footscray CC Track Race - Turning Nerves into Adrenaline!

Sat 12 Nov: First ever open track race!! Can't believe how quickly the 2 months have passed since I've started proper training on the track - time surely has flown - and all the state events are here. 


Finally came to terms that I'm too short for a Small size bike - and bought my 2nd Planet X track frame that morning - this time in the X-Small. Fits like a glove this one. (let me know if you're keen on buying my other frame!! It's amazing - that's why I bought the exact same one!)  Had coach Simon help me out picking up and building up the bike. Thanks Simon! And as we were building up the bike a few hours before the race he saw it in my eyes - "Are you nervous?". "Yeah, really..." was my reply. Thought I had a poker face - but my eyes were the give-away.. lucky they make mirrored visors!  The velodrome was already starting to buzz with noise from the juniors race before ours, and I certainly couldn't help feeling the nerves. 


As I sat watching and cheering on the young kids, I knew there was only option - to channel every single bit of nerviness into kinetic energy - and make them pedals spin! Fast forward to race start. 

"Sucking in the atmosphere whilst watching the young kids race before it was my turn" 

Race 1: 8 lap scratch heart-starter. There were about 20 of us racing - split into A & B grades - all racing at the same time. Plenty of international riders, VIS, NTID - just had to focus on my race. Certainly was a heart starter with the pace picking up right from the start. Big bunch, no brakes - the Hawthorn Roast a couple of weeks back certainly helped with the bunch experience. Chose a wrong wheel to sit on - and had to go over the top on the last lap. 4th in B grade ( didn't realise one of the girls had gone up the front and was sprinting for 3rd) - somewhere mid-bunch overall - not too bad a start. 


Race 2: 6 lap Handicap qualifier. Being my first race - I was riding first up from the 155m mark - meaning having to ride for 5 and a bit laps. By now, adrenaline was starting to pump through. From the gun - got a push off from Simon, a little stumble not realising when to stand up, but I was pretty soon on my way. Just like a pursuit, I tuck in and spun the legs as quickly as I could. Held it out for 3.5 laps solo before I finally got caught. Swung up, and sat on the 3 riders that had caught onto me. Knowing we had a good gap - ease up a little on the last lap - finished 4th overall - and I was through to my first final! 


Race 3: 12 lap win/out. Kinda like a points score with 3 sprints, except that if you win the first sprint, you're automatically the winner and you can then pull out. Sweet. Being B grade only, the pace wasn't too bad from the start. I thought we had an extra lap - but the bell rung at 7 - and I could not quite get over the top the sprinters who had gone ahead of me. No points for finishing other than first - I ease up a little (shouldn't have!), and someone else jumped - again the bell rang a lap earlier than I expected - had another 'oh crap' moment. Well 2 sprints down - one more left for 3rd place - no excuses this time. Someone else had gone off the front - and having done a bit of chasing - I swung up for the others to have a turn. 2 to go and the pace backed off - the others were tired - and I knew I had to do the work to bring  the rider back. 300m out I chased as hard as I could - but alas the gap had grown too big - ran out of laps - and settled in for 4th...again!


Race 4: Handicap final. 14 riders were through. Legs were starting to feel it now. Again - I was at the 155m mark - though this time I had someone starting just in front of me. This time I had Mitch Barry push me off - thanks Mitch! - had a couple of false 'get ready' - before finally the gun went! With someone just in front - I could not jump hard at the start and had to wait till we were on the banks before I overtook the rider and took off. Same like the first handicap - I rode as hard as I could, but my contact lenses were starting to dry out - and before I knew it I could barely see a thing! Crap! Blink - blink - managed to get one lense it - sensed I was caught and swung up with 2 laps to go. The sprinters jumped on the bell lap - again I copped the full blast of wind in my face. Both lenses had moved - and I could barely make out anything - except moving figures going off in front - fast! I knew I had to just finish it up - and held my line as best as I could. Finished 7th overall. Pretty happy with that effort. 


Overall, not too bad a performance for my first open race. Certainly drew heaps of learning experience, and was great to be able to race amongst national and world-level riders. Managed to meet the rest of the Malaysian National contingent who were racing that night - which was cool. And spoke to world keirin champ Pocket Rocket Azizul Awang too!!  Sucking in the atmosphere of the cheering crowd was brilliant - thanks to the other kids' mums and dads and a couple of mates who were there cheering me on. Having someone scream your name certainly makes you go a whole lot quicker! 


Every race I pick up something new - it's been a massive learning curve thus far. Form's starting to fall in place - hopefully we've timed it right. Next up - State Omnium Champs coming Saturday - bring it on!! 

Funny bird, and cycling H's

Sun 6 Nov: A hot summer's day of racing finally. SKCC/NeometroBeller  were holding a points score at the crits  today - 2 intermediate sprints, and 1 final sprint - brilliant! 


Missed my first alarm clock and literally jumped out of bed half an hour later. Phew - still an hour before the crits - there goes my plan of doing a longer warm-up, oh well. It sure was warm enough today! 

At the start line (Photo by Adrian Vlok)

Women's A Grade - 17 starters. Starting to recognise a lot more riders in the peloton now - good. The race kicked off on neutral lap, and the pace soon picked up. Chased down a few of the early attacks - and I could almost feel my late breakfast coming up. Alright relax..breathe. 


18 mins - whistle blew. Intermediate sprint 1. I was somewhere mid-bunch. Round the 3rd corner - some girls went. Oh crap - no gaps..caught inside. Had to wait till final corner - sprinted - but it was too late - 4th place - just missed out on points. No worries - still another 2 sprints left. 

The peloton (Photo by Adrian Vlok)

A rider in another grade crashed. No breaks this time - so everyone was on neutral. It was starting to get really warm - gotta keep the fluids in. Bridie O'Donnell came up and introduced herself - gave a little pointer on taking the corners. Didn't realise my back wheel was swerving a bit wide - had to lean in a little more. Thanks for the tip Bridie! 


Funny moment - a silly bird decided to tempt fate by walking in the middle of the bunch. 1 lap - the bunch avoided it. Next lap - it got caught mid bunch, flew up and Amy Bradley screamed. Sorry Amy - I was just behind your wheel and almost fell off my bike laughing. Next lap - revenge! Amy pulled one foot out, chased down and tried to kick the bird. My ribs were starting to hurt from laughing. Ok - back to racing - time to focus again. 

For you Amy! :) (it's pink too!)

30 mins - I knew the 2nd sprint was coming up.  Moved up - and was neck and neck with 3 others up the front. It almost like a cat and mouse game. Whistle blew. Round the 3rd corner - everyone was waiting. Ok now - go! I jumped  - sat down for the final corner - open road to the line. Sprinted. "Is this really happening?" I looked left and saw Nicole Whitburn just passing me - "should I bring in the next kick??" "but this is a points score - there's still more racing -  oh crap - there's the line!" 2nd place. Was happy with that.


We both soon eased up and pulled back into the peloton. Really warm now. I was hurting. Face my starting to tense up. Relax! Chased down more breaks - brekkie was starting to come up again - ok, sit tight. Not long more to go. I heard my timer go off  - saw the sign - 5min+3 laps. What??!! That's an extra 5 mins of racing! Cusses going through the peloton. 
I was starting to lose a bit of focus. A little nudge from Bec Domange - "you need to get up the front". That shook me out of my daze. "Ok cool!" I found my way up. 


Focus. Focus. The heat was really starting to get into me. And the longer racing too. 3 laps to go. Not long more. Bell lap. Not too bad a position. Need to move up a little. Coming out of the 3rd corner - ok, now. I committed to swinging right - rider in front was swinging wide too.  "Argh! Where did that curb come from??" I had totally forgotten about that extra piece of cement sticking out there. I saw that gap narrow every milisecond.  Had to pull back. The sprinters had already started on the left. Crap. Saw a small gap to my left - and another gap. Managed to find my way to the front - but it was too late. Coming out of the last corner, the front sprinters had already gone. It was race over. Finished 6th.  


Next up - Men's D Grade. 47 starters.  No intermediate sprints for this one. Phew. The temp had hit 31 deg and I was already feeling pretty stuffed from the earlier race. First 15 mins of the race - I was somewhere mid bunch and slowly worked my way up near the front. Lots of riders out there today. Next 15 mins. I was pretty focused on the wheel in front, but with every bit of energy starting to seep out of my system, I found myself lapsing in and out of focus. Come on - shake it off. 10 mins to go - BikeNow rider Tom came up and asked how I was feeling. "About to vomit" was my reply. Sorry Tom, can't do much today - I really was struggling. 


Don't give up. Just hang on. Last few laps - I was slowly dropping further and further back. Come on - don't let that gap go. Got to finish with the bunch. Last 2 laps and the pace really lifted. I saw a flurry of colours fly past on my left and right and could almost see the front riders 50m in front. I really had an empty tank and not much left. Just finish it. I was nearly at the back out of the final corner and pretty much just spun my way to the line. Phew! 


Hot day - hot racing - had lots of fun in the race and learned heaps out on the course today. Came up with a  new theory on my cool down today  - H words are a cyclist's biggest challenges - heat, headwind, hills and hunger - and when you overcome them all - you're home!