I literally felt like the carrot on the stick, just pushing with all I had but kinda knew they would catch me soon. I knew it because they had me as a motivation in front of them, I couldn’t see anyone. The mind game you know?
 The mind game is one of the main keys in racing. Am I able to push this hard? Am I strong enough? They suffer too. Can I come back? You’re better. All these sentences are running through my mind, and probably everyone, when we’re out there in our own little hurt box. On lap 3 the 5 girls closed the gap and we were all together again. Now the mind really starts working. We started climbing up the first climb on lap 4, I found myself behind 3 of the girls, when I passed my mum and boyfriend standing on the other side of the tape, eager to support me in this tight battle. That made me move. I took the front together with the Spanish girl and we pushed hard up the next climbs. Some of the girls couldn’t keep our wheels, one had a flat down the next hill. That move changed my mind. It sat a fire in me, because of the question, are they stronger? was answered. On the last lap the Spanish girl got a gap of 5 meters and a french girl, Lucie, came back to me. I had her in my wheel going into the last part of the course, but luckily she took the front, and I could hide behind her until the last descent, where I powered my way past her. I finished in 7th position.
And it felt good. The first 5 days I stayed off the bike, letting my system recover 100%. I know it was a good decision, and my preparation for the World Championship has for that reason been really good. Maybe it will be an advantage in the end, I just can’t see it yet.
All the best The carrot
0 Comments
For those who wonder how I keep motivation high all year long in the pursuit to reach a better me? I don’t. It all started after two exciting World Cup weeks in Andorra and Lenzerheide, great racing, laughs, sensations and feeling. Just how I like it. On Monday morning I went directly to Nice, where my boyfriend lives, and I stayed there for a week. But a thing had changed, as I jumped on my bike the following weeks. I never knew. Knew if it would be a good ride or not?  Kenophotographie I could start a 4h ride, feel great and come home happy and tired. I could start training, but not have the push for intervals and just skip them. I could start a longer ride, and come home after 1. Not really a Malene I know too well (luckily). But I’m not pushing through if it feels wrong. I think that’s the way to kill yourself, so I just did what felt right in the moment and took it from there. On Monday we headed to Copenhagen. Coming home felt great after a long time abroad. In Denmark, we say ‘Away is good - home is best. Not sure if this is a saying in English, hihi, nevertheless thats’s how it feels often. Of course, we came home to a classic Danish summer. Rain and 16 degrees, and maybe a good wind to keep it fun. However, it was great to hit my home trails again and take Loic to some of my favorite places and so on. The following weekend had Danish National Champs on the menu, so Saturday afternoon my parents and I went on a little road trip. Course recon on a mega Danish course, filled with short uphills, corners and nice single tracks. It was dusty, but the weather-gods, was just fooling around with us. 40 ml rain was on the program for Sunday’s race. Coming into the race weekend I felt weak, unmotivated and flat. I hoped this race would turn me around. Maybe a kick in the ass, like a race against Annika, would wake me up. Wakey Wakey Malene. It was a mud dance out there but I tried to have as much fun as possible, while slidding around. But still, Danish Champs felt a little like coming through a Tuesday in school for me; Just breathe and get through, tomorrow you’re closer to next weekend, but still kinda depressive. Haha. No, it was alright, just a race, with the outcome kinda already known. On one hand I needed a race, without any nerves, just me and my bike. Racing, to get things turned around, as I said. I’m excited for the day when I can make a real battle for the jersey. Monday morning I opened my eyes, almost scared to open both at the same time, with the hope that some kind of new spirit had hit me. I was laying in the bed for a while. Wakey. But the only thing I could feel was my throat and a heavy head. Oh no. So with a hangover starting it’s peaking period, I headed to Italy for European Championship, and it went on pretty much like this in my head; Monday, Foolish Malene to Sick Malene, *Pff, it’s just a little race hangover* Tuesday, Foolish Malene to Sick Malene, *Okay, you’re a bit sick, skip training, but tomorrow for sure* Wednesday, Foolish Malene to Sick Malene, *Ok, sorry hon, but you’re really sick, still 3 days to race day, you will make it* Thursday, Sick Malene to Foolish Malene, *You’re a fool, don’t start racing team relay today, you’re sick* Wakes up from a 3hour nap Team to Sick Malene, *We’re leading with almost 2 minutes you have to try* Foolish Malene to Sick Malene, *Who needs warm up? just go!* Crosses the line in 2nd spot. Foolish Malene to Sick Malene, *And you considered not listening??* Friday, Foolish Malene to Sick Malene, *yeeaaa for sure you’re better today. You’re starting tomorrow* Saturday, Sick Malene to Foolish Malene,*I’m not too sure about this idea* On start line Sick Malene to Foolish Malene, *This was a bad idea* My coach Benjamin said, “Focus on the positive, you got a silver medal with you home even tough you were sick all week. Recover now, next race is already next weekend” Okay. 7 days Malle. So now I’m sitting on the plane on my way to Canada, wondering how I find myself. I know it’s kinda stupid I’m sitting on 29J with a sore butt and feet swelled up, but still :-) 3 weeks is a long hangover. It came kinda sneaky but had a really strong finish, so I cross my fingers that it was the finish and that I left it in Milano. So do I want it in Canada? Absofucklinglutely /Malene    |
Reflect what you desire, become what you respect Archives
January 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed