Here's to a new race-season

​They say strength is gained from within. Like true love is first to be found when you love yourself - does that also apply for performance? That being strong enough to become a winner first happens when you see yourself being strong enough to win? I'm not necessarily talking about winning as crossing the finish-line first. You have to win many battles before you get there. 

Last week was out of my comfort zone in many ways. First of all, I was on two start-lines (Banyoles + Chelva). Not that start-lines are strangers to me in general. But to be lining up at the opening cross-country races of the year after almost half a year without, in my new kit, with a new crew, new-everything basically, was definitely a comfort zone challenge. There is something calm and simple about the winter time, it’s almost easy so to say. The training schedule isn’t, but I don’t have to perform, at least not in front of anyone, besides me and my coach. But eventually, you stand there. First row. All eyes on you. Or that’s how it feels, those last 15 seconds before the gun goes off. Before you know it you are in the middle of what’s going to be 90 minutes of battling for your spot, fighting with all you got and let the legs speak for them self. 

​The race evolved fast to a battle of the last podium spot. British Annie Last and German Elisabeth Brandu were gone in the front, and back with me were French Leona Lecomte and Tanja a little minute behind us. Racing cross country is so demanding and it takes a lot. I felt my lack of freshness when the last part of the race began, the recovery time between the efforts simply got longer and longer. I had to let go of Lecomte and I saw Tanja coming closer from behind. I think she was as close as 10 seconds behind me, when we entered the last lap. And then I remembered something. “You're strong Malene. If she can close this gap to you she will believe that she is stronger than you. And is that true? No, you’re strong M”. And so I continued to repeat in my head on the last lap, and when I came to the finish line the gap down to 5th was bigger again. Was I strong enough to win the fight? Most definitely. 

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The team was happy about my race and my spirit out there. I had even curled my hair in the morning (our race started at 15.30, so I watched Riverdale and made beach wave's with my flatting iron to entertain myself…), but I mean don’t mistake blonde-curliness for weakness ;-)

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​The following week was a camp in Chelva with the team and I was determined to have more courage for the second race. If you followed along with my daily updates on my IG story you got an impression of what was happening. The week was all about the team, riding together, have long dinners together, drink coffee’s and test the equipment. A great week. 

But eventually, you stand there. First row. All eyes on you. Or that’s how it feels, those last 15 seconds before the gun goes off.

​I felt that I won a battle in Banyoles - most of all against myself. So when I stood on the start-line for the second time, now In Chelva, the fire was a little brighter and I felt not so out of comfort zone anymore. Beside me was Annie, my roommate now, in the feed zone was the boys waiting for us, the staff I knew and trusted now. So when the gun went off this time I was reminding myself from lap one that I belonged in the top, fighting for winning. And even with a little ‘airtime’ flying over my bar and with a flat tire, I finished the race stronger than the previous Sunday. 2nd on the day.

A few battles closer and a tank full of motivation to push myself further, are just a couple of the things I bring with me home from the first racing-trip of the year. So let’s make March a month that counts! 

/Malene