DH National Championship

For the week leading up to this race, all I was thinking about was what it would feel like to win it. I struggled to take my mind of it and every time I thought about it, I could feel my heart racing and my hands go slightly weak and sweaty! The thought of winning it was something I had to try not to think about it in case I didn't win, because, then I would have been distraught! I had worked so so hard for this race and it is the race that I really set my heart on winning this year. I definitely wanted it more than anyone else that was there that weekend.

Saturday morning was an early one! I was up at 5am and was on the train by 6am to get to Shrewsbury where I was getting a lift with my friend Emma to the race. We arrived there in no time and I made sure I got everything together and got an early uplift. It had been raining and was still raining when we got there, and as the end finished in the fields, I knew this was going to become interesting! The practice runs were awesome. I absolutely loved the whole thing. I wanted to win it so much, I rode hard all weekend so that I got lines pretty well sorted. Getting back on this track was definitely a much better experience than what I had at the Pearce race for sure! I felt much faster and wasn't particularly pushing it over the top either. I enjoyed sliding around on my bum in the fields, I don't think I've ever laughed so much!! haha! The weather had certainly cleared up and most people were back on dry tyres, although the field was still pretty muddy. This meant that the track was going to be fast. I used my seeding run as another practice run, just taking it steady and seeing how far behind I was going to be and where I would have needed to make time up. I came down flat out at top, and coming into the woods, I crashed and took the wrong line when I got back up. But I wasn't really bothered. I just made sure I got the next bits spot on. (although after crashing - i lossed my rhythm a bit so made few more errors!) I got to the finish and found I was almost 8 seconds ahead of Monet! (time of 4mins 17) Originally I thought I was 7 seconds slower! I was really stoked because I crashed and everything. I went to bed that night knowing what lines i needed to look at to make me that much faster. Being that much in front spurred me on to look at faster lines in the morning!

I woke up and could hardly eat a thing. My sister Paula and her friend had made me a bacon sandwich but I struggled to eat that for nerves! I forced two sandwiches down then got on the uplift!! My first run was average, the track had lots of ruts in it now. The weather was very on and off and couldn't make up its mind!! I managed to get a second run in although I was stopped as Rachel Atherton had crashed. I was very happy with my second run and was feeling confident. I was incredibly nervous before my race run and ended up singing songs to myself the whole time! I didn't care who heard me or who thought i was a dick!! My name was called and this was it. I remember thinking to myself:

"If you crash, get back up. And win. Do or die..."

I didn't want to die so looks like it was the do option! As soon as i started out, the nerves chilled out and i settled into it, i had the best run of the weekend fortunately! I kept shouting to myself "come on, you f**king want this!!" for most of the way. I got to the end and looked back to see my time, thinking back now, i don't remember hearing anyone, not even the shouting commentator - i just remember looking back and seeing a minus sign in front of my time difference!! I was only -1 second ahead! (3mins 53) I was so stoked! No one in the world could have been higher than me! I lay on the floor to catch my breath and take it in. I was then greeted by my mates and sister and my lil bro who all gave me a huge hug!

This was definitely the best feeling i have ever had, stood on that podium in 1st place wearing the national champs jersey...

I want to thank everyone who has supported me, my closest friends and family. Especially to my sister Paula and flossy for making the effort of coming to see me and to my other sister Nicky who couldn't make it as she had a nackered shoulder haha! Also to Trek- Extreme Medics who provided me with the new kit and my bike that helped me win :)

Also a massive thankyou to Emma Wareham for the lifts to the races and being awesome fun :)