Jul 21, 2010
Well we’re now in the home stretch of our trip, with less than two weeks left.
It’s been a pretty great atmosphere within the team here, and I’ve been real motivated to train everyday, which as any athlete can understand, it makes life in a camp that much easier.
We’ve had four more races since last week, one of which I sat out to give my back a little more recovery. Ash and Mel came down sick for this and didn’t have a great day, and Belinda had some confusions during the race with a commissaries decision after she got caught behind a crash, but Megan rode a gutsy race and pulled off the win for the team.
I raced Sunday, and seeing as this was only my second start, and a course I remember liking from last year, I was really determined to do well and help set one of the girls up for a win. I had a good start to the race, and tried to initiate a few breaks, but at the half way mark, my back started to tighten up, and 5km later I was out.
I was of course disappointed I didn’t get to finish once again, and see myself get some sort of result. but I guess at the end of the day I did my part while I could for the team, and I just have to remind myself I’m still in a rebuilding phase. The good news was, Belinda took another 2nd place.
We did something a little different last Saturday.. Took the chance to go and watch the Australian junior Waterpolo girls whilst they were playing here in Holland too. They had a good 1-point win against Canada, and I loved it! Can’t believe how rough it can get.. I’d love to see a game played at Olympic level one day! Apparently there were five WAIS girls in the team, so was good to see some others from back home competing in their sport too.
Holland’s loss to Spain in the World Cup last weekend didn’t seem to shake the locals spirits too much. We paid Amsterdam a short visit on the Tuesday, and the streets were still filled with people in orange shirts blowing their vuvuzelas. Didn’t get much shopping done, so I’ll definitely be going back to finish off my shopping spree!!
We just finished a back-to-back day of another two races. On the first day in Zwijndrecht, well let’s just say, the brick paving roads were not far off cobbles. By the end of the race, the girls had blisters and swollen hands and elbows from the constant vibration. It was crazy.. for the short while that I lasted, I couldn’t hold my back wheel down. The extra intensity bought on my back pain pretty quickly so I wasn’t willing to risk it.. I’m not here for that. I know the men race cobbles in the Paris-Roubaix etc, but they only ride over short sections at a time.. Though they weren’t quite as harsh as cobblestones, this was for 60km straight, so it gives you an idea how tough some of the courses can be. The two girls we’re working for, Megan and Belinda did a good job again. Well actually that’s an understatement.. They got first and second, so what more can you ask for?
On Sunday we head out to Bovenkarspel. I was looking forward to helping out in the race today.. until about 5 minutes before we arrived I started to feel real nauseous and dizzy. I kicked back for a while to try shake it off in case it was just car sickness, but by the time team went to warm up, I was in struggle street, so had to pull the pin. I must have passed out on the back seat of the car, cause the next thing I remember was hearing the commentator over the loud speaker saying there was 2 laps to go, so I’d slept for about 2hrs. Felt heaps better for it, and woke up just in time to hear that Belinda just rolled the Dutch chick for 1st, and Megan also got 3rd as well. Mel also managed a 6th, and Ash an 8th.
It was established after that, that it was by far the best result the team has had this trip so far.. not result wise, but the way they worked together and helped Belinda take the win. It’s still hard to sit back and watch the girls doing so well as team and learning so much about the racing and getting all that experience while I’ve had to sit back and watch it all unfold most of the time.. but hey, just have to cop it on the chin.
I’ve been maintaining my rehab program and gym under high intensity here to make sure I’m moving in the right direction, and still been training hard, so I feel pretty buckled and tired. I certainly can’t complain though, when I get to do it in 30 degree weather can I? I’ll be thinking of you all back home in the rain and hail.
Anyway, I’m sure you’ll hear from me shortly,
Take care 
Sarah
602nds is fortunate to have Australia’s very own World Champion, Sarah Kent write for us. Sarah was a member of the gold medal winning Australian womens team pursuit at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Copenhagen earlier this year.
Sarah is currently in Europe racing and riding with the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) but took the time to write this blog for 602nds and the WAIS (Western Australian Institute of Sport). Sarah’s previous blog can be found here.
Follow Sarah on Twitter for all her updates.
