World Championships: Paris, France
Bonjour,
As I write, it has been only two weeks since I was lining up to compete in the Team Sprint at my second World Championships. I would say that competition had been the most significant accomplishment to date. My last World Championships was in Melbourne, 2012. Three years later I was in the NZ skin suit, much further away from home, but in the same high intense environment where hundredths of seconds count. The track at Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines is fast, with about 1m extra width than the track at Cambridge. It is a fantastic racing venue with seats around the whole track, which were all booked out making for a loud, electric crowd!
To be a part of the NZ team was so uplifting. Didn’t everyone do well?!?! To witness World Champions being crowned, and for that to be members in our team is something special. The attitude of my team mates and staff are inspirational. Even when things didn’t go as planned, there were always positives to come out of it. I have learned a lot from this trip, behind the scene type of thing, which has helped me to focus on the ‘glass is half-full’ philosophy.
Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines Velodrome, before racing begins
The team sprint was up first, with Steph McKenzie running at second wheel. It was a very long day as we didn’t have qualifying till 8pm that night. However we kept occupied by breaking up the day into meals, movies, race preparation, and of course coffee dates.
Race morning was chilly!
Part of my race preparation is getting moving with some gym!
We rode our best sea-level time this season coming in at 9th place. I did my best sea-level start lap, and although this is an improvement it wasn’t the goal time I was after. I am happy don’t get me wrong, the glass is half full (wink), but there is a little piece of me that always wants to go faster.
Team Sprint: Steph (left) and I at the start. Photo credit: CanadianCyclist.com
Team Sprint – about to change for Steph to finish our race! Photo credit: CanadianCyclist.com
The next evening I rode the 500mTT. I remember I was much more relaxed than the team sprint day (about time!). I just had to go out there, focus on my race goals, and enjoy the moment. What I achieved, time wise, was faster than I expected. To knock almost 0.5s off my PB, made three years ago, was exciting. I felt I nailed the start, it was painful, and the rest was a blur. I finished in 12th place and was very happy with my ride (shock!). It was great to end my racing on a good note.
Start of the 500mTT Photo credit: Dean Mouhtaropoulos, Zimbio.com
One lap to go! Photo credit: Dean Mouhtaropoulos, Zimbio.com
After the racing I was lucky enough to spend half a day seeing the sights of Paris with Steph, it just wasn’t long enough! Here are a few shots of what we were able to get to!
First stop was in Versailles. This is the entrance to the Chatueau de Versallies (Palace of Versallies)
Behind the gates….unbelievable! Photo credit: Steph McKenzie
The Seine River
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Had to try some snails for lunch….nom nom
And get on a bike to reach the Eiffel Tower! HUGE structure
Since arriving back in NZ, I have had some down time and a good break away from the bike. I can’t wait for the next phase to kick off and the adventures to come. I will keep you posted!
Bye for now,
Kt x
After thought: This time last year I was competing at our Nationals in Cambridge. The first official event held at the new venue. I was confident that I was going to perform well, but that was not the case. I underperformed to my own and others’ expectations which consequently saw drastic changes for the year. I won’t go into it again, it is in the past. However, I have been reminded of how far I have come. The dream of competing on the world stage again was minimal. I was against big odds, mental barriers, as well as health complications. When you have a goal in mind and the will is there, why can’t it be achievable? I will say that without my fantastic support team around me, I wouldn’t have made it to where I am today. Family and friends are first and foremost; how you have kept me together, picked me up when I was down, told me to get over myself and to rise above, to understand what I was going through, and just be there with a smile. Without a medical team to help me realize my condition, and help me deal with it, I wouldn’t be able to start to overcome it, nor understand the long-term health consequences ahead if it wasn’t worked on now. There is still some way to go, but I am making progress. The future looks better if I keep on track, so bring it! I am so lucky to follow a dream, make it reality, and to enjoy it x
Always proud of you Katie