After much deliberation, and possibly some tears on my part, the decision has been reached that i will not race this year. Believe me when i say the decision was not come by lightly, nor happily, but i feel that to push things too far, too soon could well ruin next year for me.
After talking things through with my Surgeon, Physio, Coach and Family, I decided that my shoulder was too unstable to risk racing, and that concentrating on building the muscle back up so that it is 100% for 2010 was to be the best course of action.
I’m pretty gutted that i won’t be racing, it seems almost as if i am handing the Striped Jersey over without a fight, but i guess sometimes a fight is just not the right way to go, rather silent acceptance and destruction at the next given opportunity! So that is what i am set on, all switches flicked, every memory of racing, good and bad is there to assist me, every feeling of smashing a rutted corner, even boosting the trails and lining my moto up for the win, they are all there ready in line to be got out again, when they are needed.
I feel as though i have never been more well equipped going into a race season, (albeit i may be going into next season sooner than anyone else)
Fresh in my mind is the feeling of raw, unprocessed pain, both physically and mentally, and every fiber in my body is tuned to avoiding that at all costs, and so my motivation level, my desire to win, to feel fast, to have the most fun ever doing it all, is at an all time peak.
Some nights i just wake up and cannot sleep for the thoughts going through my head, the remembering of the feelings that i get when i race, is incredible and i try and hold onto them for as long as i can. They bounce around inside me and everything else just falls back and gives them the space to bounce, when I’m training the bad memories come flooding back and the only way i can describe it is like someone has shot concentrated, pure desire into me and I don’t think i can stop until i have got what i want, what i need.
It may sound melodramatic, it may sound over the top, and it may sound self centered and selfish, which to a certain extent it is. I believe that to be a Champion you must have a certain streak of selfishness because otherwise how would you want it all and not feel bad for those you take it from (the other racers i mean)
Well I’m not ashamed to admit i want it all, the taste was tasted in 2008, and i liked it. 2009 was a bit sour, but 2010, (and let us not forget beyond!) has all the ingredients and more secret weapons than you can shake a stick at!
Game on.
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Hi Rach. I wish you all the best for next year and i hope you kick some ass. I will be there supporting you and your family. I will be at Fort William next year and i hope you are too. It will be great to see you in person and see you kick some ass on that track.
All the best x x
P.S I love the Atherton Project. Your really funny.
Rach, go ahead always! I hope to meet you and your brothers as soon around!
Cheers !
Hey Rachel;
I love reading your post. I was recently injured (torn meniscus) and will be off my bike for a few months. I was freaking devistated! And I only ride and race for fun! I felt so lonely without my bike, but more determined than ever to become a better, faster rider when I get back on (which is not too long compared to the rehab you have to go through). Thanks for your words — they echo with many.
Good luck!!!
Rach,
Way to go Rach…
Hope to see you can be back in action soon…wish you all the best…and good luck for next season…
Cheers!!!
Hi Rach,
It’s as big a loss to the World Championship as it is to you not having you there. Can’t wait to see you back out there fully fit. How’s the Milokit training coming along with the shoulder rehab?
Hey Rachel,
A bit disappointed that we wont see you on the podium this year but confident you’ll come out faster and stronger next year. Its still early in the domination game
Cheers!
Me and my riding buddies from essen, germany wish you all the best for next season. The Rainbow jersey will be yours again!
Ride´on!
Hey Rachel,
I’ve been out of the sport for a few years and just recently started following the world cup downhill scene again. I really admire your passion for riding and racing and it will definitely take you far in the racing world. I’m an avid whitewater paddler, so I know what its like to have bad shoulder injuries, and i think you did the right thing taking this year off to recover, and it will pay off for you down the raod. I wish you the best of luck in biking, racing, life and beyond. And of course and a speedy recovery.
Where can we subscribe to this site’s newleter ??
I have Tweeted this post, I will keep a eye on your other posts. Ohh what do you all think about the about the North Korea sinking that ship?
cherished your insights. nation’s health, individuals. healthier life, I think. typically are cheaper. completely. hurting us.
The flooding in Pakistan is a horrible thing. It seems that very few states are committing aid. Why doesn’t the EU rush in to save those poor souls? I wish I knew what I could do to help. Does anyone know where to donate funds?