Jess Douglas - latest ride report
Always a cyclist, I enjoyed the freedom of long rides as a child.
As an adult, I discovered the world of “endurance mountain bike” events that ranged from 100km, 6hr, 8hr, 12hr and even 24 hr events done SOLO.
This was back in January 2006, no special credentials required, just the mental toughness to sit on the bike and keep pedaling and most of the time they were a race of attrition firstly and foremost.
But…like any sport that you love, I desired to get better, more skillful, faster, stronger and of course fitter. I was doing ok, progressing up through the ranks just nicely and winning quite a few events.
However, I just knew I was not going about it the right way, spending way too much time on the bike and doing the same old, same old.
You know what I mean, everyone does it! 150km in E1/2 at most, cruising along like Puffing Billy with not much change of pace to talk about. Avoiding the things you are worst at like sprints and hills and of course time trial efforts!
2008 was a year of ups and downs for me on the bike.
January I did the Australian National Open Road Championships and managed to keep up with the main bunch for 5 laps before being dropped well and proper. This was a test for me to see where I was at. The year progressed on and in amongst my great results I would have some really bad races. I just could not manage my training and the timing to peak right. Amazingly I won a very prestigious race, called the Scott 24 hr in Canberra, in the Solo Female Division. This qualified me to attend the World Solo 24 hr MTB Championships in Canmore, Alberta in July 2009.
Luckily for me, a friend of mine, Genevieve, had someone pull out of attending the Bright Boot Camp with her so I agreed to attend. I had a great time and rode some amazing hills all in one weekend. However I still came away knowing I was like a diesel engine, could go forever but had no “kick” in me.
Fit as ever, with miles and miles in the legs, I had my final race to complete the year off. A race I should have won standing on my head. Something in me did not want to win that day, and it was the best thing that could have happened to me.
It was at this stage that I remembered that Brendan was offering “remote coaching programs” through Cycling-Inform and got onto it pretty much straight away and thought to myself,” I need help, I cant do this anymore myself, hand it over to the experts!”
I started the program the week after Christmas 2008 and eight weeks later had my first big goal race. The Otway Odyssey. This is what they call a MTB Marathon event. 100km of riding your mountain bike through the most incredible and impossible uphill’s and extremely dangerous downhill’s, never ending single track and finishing off with even more hills just when you think you’ve only got 5kms to go.
This race is so tough, that even hardened riders like Phil Anderson did not complete it in its first year back in 2007.
The event attracts riders from average punters through to Australia’s best such as Chris Jongewaard.
This year I started seeded 8th Elite Female. I had some time splits worked out and wondered where this would place me should I succeed with my plan. As it turned out I finished 7th in 6hr 10minutes and knocked off a massive 2 hours from my 2008 time of 8hrs 10. First place was only 25 minutes ahead over the 100km. She is currently Australia’s fastest female Mountain biker, she is preparing to go to London for the Olympics. I am stoked that me, a 36 yr old mum can manage this effort.
Brendan had me doing things to prepare for this race that were brand new concepts to me.
I would have to say my greatest improvement has been the gearing I can handle at a higher cadence whilst maintaining a higher heart rate equaling more power, and of course faster! Isn’t this what we all want?
I truly cannot believe how simple the process has been. Not that I am saying I could have worked it out for myself, but these guys really know their stuff!
My training time has almost halved, my weight has dropped, my love for training has grown even greater. I am not afraid of the pain and suffering anymore, infact I relish it as I know of the great results I will get. In a few weeks my 12 week program plan will be up, but I am signing up for some long term results here and I feel so privileged to have people like Brendan Rowbotham doing the groundwork for me.
This year is going to be one of huge growth on the bike for me. Its so exciting! Just keep this a secret though, I don’t want anyone else knowing how to get these great results.
For more infrormation on our Cycling-Inform coaching services click here.
