Tag Archives: Vicki Thomas

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November 12, 2010

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In The Groove

Fully into the groove here in Belgium. The first few days of craziness have settled. I always forget how much there is to do the first few days here. But now all the little jobs and errands are taken care of. The race in Niel was a great way to kick off my race season in 2010-2011.

Today was a pretty chilled out day. Karl and I hit out in the windy blustery (but dry) day for an adventure on bicycles. I was relieved to see that Karl was riding with ‘cross tires – this way I would be able to keep up with him on the road! I took Karl all over the place, showing him some excellent training parks and roads. We did a solid two hours together and then I set out for my last hour of riding. I must say that the last hour really nearly cracked me – the wind was wicked (but it was dry).

The afternoon was spent visiting the local bicycle stores and grocery stores. An action-packed day. Now it is time to relax and just catch my breath. Tomorrow is all about recovery. My plan is to go and ride the trails at Averbode. I’ll be riding with my “backwards” Grifos… Turns out I put the tires on backwards.. Sigh – learn something new everyday!

No racing for me this weekend. It is just about training and finding my groove. I’ve got a double-header next weekend and a couple of double training days as well. I’m really happy to be here and to be back in my training groove. Next week I’m hoping to see a doctor who can get me back on the iron infusions as well as add in B12 injections. The more I read about this anemia and iron-deficiency, the more depressing it is. It takes along time to recover from this – 6-8 weeks and the training makes it harder to recover. But I know this and I’ll deal with it. For now I’m focused on improving technically, getting my body back to feeling like itself and most importantly having fun.

Send your positive race vibes Karl’s way on Sunday – he is racing at Hamme-Zogge at 11:15. This will be his first European race of the 2010-2011 season. It is going to be a good one.

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November 11, 2010

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A Day Out in the Mud (Niel, Belgium)

Today was my first race in Belgium of the 2010-2011 season. It was a good one. I really like the course at Niel and it is very close to my place here in Blauberg. Today Luc, Kelly, and Johnny picked me up in the trusty camper and drove me to the race. It was awesome – very relaxing. Great to have people to talk with. I’m sure I talked their ears off since I really haven’t spoken to anyone in two days! Thanks so much. Also Luc has sent some excellent photos, they are posted on Facebook.

The day was very cold and grey. Really cold. Really grey. Really wet. Really muddy. Everything you expect in a Belgian cyclo-cross race. Luckily I had my trusty Sealskins to keep my feet and hands dry. Could have done with a thicker undershirt (summer weight is not so good in such conditions).

Many thanks to Ludwig for the amazing pit support today. Ludwig fixed my bikes before the race. Yelled at me during the race – reminding me when to pit and offering words of encouragement. Luc and Johnny were out there taking photos and cheering me on. Kelly was at the start and finish with my clothes and cheering me on for the entire race. Thanks so very much.

It was an excellent day at the races. I can honestly say that I had a lot of fun today. Others would be disappointed with such a result (somewhere in the 30s) but I wasn’t lapped and I wasn’t last. I learned that I need to work on my mud riding skills and actually practice running in the mud. All in all, a good day.

I’ve written a race report here. When we got back to Blauberg after the race, Karl and Denise were here. Very nice to have them here now. It has been a whirlwind of activity here already. Tomorrow looks like a good day – Karl and I are going out for a ride and then the usual first day in Belgium things: bike store and food.

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November 10, 2010

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Cyclo-Cross Takes Character

Today I was out for a ride and was rolling along one of my favorite bicycle paths. This particular paths takes cyclists and walkers through a forest. It is a very popular path with more walkers than cyclists. I whistled to alert two men that I was coming up behind them. They stopped and started talking to me. Right away they were asking about cyclo-cross, where was I from, where I am living, what are my results, and when I was racing. These two men were obvious cyclo-cross fans. What struck me was what one of the men said “We admire you. Cyclo-cross takes character.” I smiled and agreed.

This sentence has stuck in my head all day. This guy is right. Cyclo-cross does take character. Really anything worth doing takes character. Particularly if you want to do it well. But maybe cyclo-cross is different. The conditions can be a bit rough. Training for cyclo-cross requires technical training and aerobic/anaerobic training. The demands on the equipment are time consuming. I suppose it does take character. Unlike road racing. there is no hiding in cyclo-cross. I can sit in a pack during a road race or criterium knowing that I may not be the strongest person there – but I can follow wheels and find the protection from the wind. Not so in cyclo-cross. It is an all or nothing race.

Kind of like life. It is all or nothing. I admit I had my doubts about returning to Belgium this winter. I’m not the healthiest and I’m not riding the way I want to be. But there are no second chances or “do overs” in life. Who knows, I might not be able to return next year. So there really was no other option. All in. All or nothing. I’m here and I’m going to make the best of it.

(Mental note – putting on new road tires is very very hard on thumbs and arms. Then a few hours later putting on new clincher cyclo-cross tires is also very very hard on thumbs and arms. To sum up, I have very very sore thumbs and arms.)

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November 9, 2010

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In Blauberg, Belgium

Made it one piece. Both bikes arrived. My bag arrived. And I’m here. An uneventful flight (full of crying babies and loud talkers but I had three seats to myself…). I crashed hard on the Frankfurt to Brussels flight – barely could keep my eyes open to drink my little glass of water. Hooked up Shaun A. in the Brussels airport – this is when I had a huge wave of fatigue. Wobbly legs, lightheaded and just plain old wiped out – I hoped for a second wind.

Luckily the second wind came just when I needed it… I found the rental car desk easily got the paperwork and proceeded to the car pick up. This is when things went a bit wobbly. I had an overloaded luggage cart with two bikes, a heavy piece of luggage and my carry-on. The stuff came spilling off twice. Once this happened when the wheel of my cart caught a little hole in the pavement. The second time it happened as I was trying to navigate the downward/spiral sidewalk – yes everything fell off. I nearly cracked. But I took a deep breath, sucked it up and dragged my gear to the car pick up. Packed up the car and hit the open road – thanks to the trusty iPad and Navigon.

It is amazing how one moment you can feel fine and the next be knocked down by ridiculous hunger… Thankfully the Bambus grocery store next to the house was open. One brie and egg sandwich later and I was sitting down pondering my next move. Time to build bikes. Got the bikes together rather easily. By this time Jos had arrived so we had an excellent chat and then Jos was off. Back to the bikes. Discovered the shifting was a bit latent on one bike and the other one has a bent rear brake. No problems – quick drive to 4Bikes and my bikes are in excellent hands. Excellent chat with Peter the owner and a promise of the bikes being ready by 11 on Wednesday morning.

I was a bit disappointed about not being able to ride. But truth be told, I’m pretty tired and it is pouring rain! So no spin for my legs today. Instead I got a bunch of errands done. Mostly food related – a few stops at my favorite grocery stores, bakery, and health food store. By the time I got to the big grocery store I truly was in a fog – I just put random stuff in my cart. I did discover tahini and honey spread at the Lidl. Of course I had to buy it – it is so good. Going back for another jar tomorrow (no I didn’t eat the whole jar – it is just that the product at Lidl rotates so I might never see this heavenly spread again).

The house is looking good. Though it is a bit cluttered right now since I’m in various stages of unpacking – all over the house…. I’ll try to get a bit more done tonight – all in the effort to stay awake until 9 p.m. Wednesday will be full of riding, pre-race preparations, arranging race logistics, getting unpacked and another trip to the grocery store to buy everything I forgot to buy today….

It is good to be here. I walked into the Bambus and the ladies working there started talking to me as if I’d never left. Same thing happened in the bakery and health food store. What a fantastic feeling. Great to talk with Jos in person as well. If today is any indication of how the next three months will be, I’m convinced it is going to be a most excellent winter.

Alright, I’m out. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll remember to bring my camera on my ride and I’ll snap a few pics for you. First race is on Thursday at Niel. I have a feeling it will be muddy…

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November 8, 2010

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Go Time

It is time. Time to get to the airport, get checked in and get on the plane. I’ve been anticipating this day for a while now. But now that it is here, I kind of wish I could delay it for a few days. Everything seems a bit rushed right now. I know I’ll be okay once I get on the plane. But I wish I had a few more days with Marc. A few more days here at home to think and to just be. Don’t get me wrong – I want to go. It is just harder this year to go alone without Marc. (He’ll be getting to Belgium on Nov. 25 and believe me, I’m already counting down the days.)

I caved and ended up bringing a suitcase with me this time. No luck getting everything into two bike boxes and a carry-on. Really the items that took up the most space aren’t my clothing – it is all the Clif Bar product and my ulcerative colitis medicine! Can’t leave this valuable stuff at home. I’ve got my iPad loaded up with a couple of television shows, one of my favorite movies (Up), my favorite pro rider (George Hincapie), and some yoga to stretch the muscles, mind and soul.

Tuesday is going to be a busy day. Build bikes. Get out for a two hour ride – try out both bikes. Get unpacked. Get some food. Beat the jetlag and get sorted out for the first race in Niel, Belgium. Karl and Denise arrive on Thursday – I’m looking forward to showing Karl my favorite training routes and helping them to get oriented with Blauberg, Herselt, Averbode, and the area.

I’m racing on Thursday in Niel and then I’ve got a solid week and a bit of training until the next set of races – Hasselt on the 20th and Apere Gavere on the 21st. I really liked the Hasselt race last year. Asper Gavere? Well, I got through it! This year I’m looking forward to riding better technically at Aspere Gavere – the mud is my friend and so are steep muddy descents!

I’ve been thinking a bit more about Nationals on Saturday. What a day. It was one where so many of us had goals that we wanted to tick off. But just as in life, this doesn’t always happen. I’m taking all the good I can from that day. The good on and off the bike. I got to meet some new people, reinforce friendships, cheer on my good friends, and race my bike. Many thanks to the “kids” for their overwhelming support this season – training with these young guys has just been awesome. Between them and Marc I’ve learned so much already. Thanks to Natasha for the email today about my health issues – it really does help to have some advice from someone else who has been down the same rocky and uncertain road. Things will get better. Soon enough I’ll feel like myself again. I can’t wait to see what I can put together on and off the bike when this comes to fruition.

Alright, I best be off. The clock is ticking and we’ve got to now jam all my gear into the back of our trusty Matrix. If you see Marc out at the races – be sure to give him a hug and a kiss for me and cheer extra loudly for him. Can’t wait to see him on Nov. 25.