Back in 2012 I raced the Huka Challenge 85km MTB race in Taupo with a group of friends. I did not have a huge amount of endurance but was fit, and was one of the few members of my group to carry a CamelBak. We sure didn't win, but we had a great time and were exhausted by the end of it. Also, my fitness got a little boost from it.
Lesson; It pays to do something different and have a bit of fun.
Come February this year and Short Course Nationals beckoned. I lined up ready to race in Rotorua and, up until the third lap, was killing it. Then an unfortunate incident occurred with another rider. It cost me the podium by the drop of a chain, started up a whole lot of emotional trauma, a lot of playing the blame game amongst many people and the occasional shadow of "shoulda, coulda, woulda, gonna" that slips over my mind when I'm off guard. That day still haunts me as a tarnished glory that will take time to fade.
Lesson; some people cannot be trusted, and shit happens despite the best preparation possible.
Marathon Nationals rolled around after this and, despite a lack of participation and some administrative errors from a certain governing body, the race stayed on and I rode my second ever 80km race. I took the National Marathon title for U17 and lightened up for the first time since Short Course Nationals. Even though I hadn't truly trained for this event, and I sure felt it, I still posted a formidable time and had a fun race.
Lesson; Redemption comes from the unlikeliest of places.
In April, shortly before my birthday, I rode in the MTB leg of Xterra Rotorua. After an average race, I sprinted for the finish and crashed head first into a nutty spectator who had ignored the over head crossing above the track and decided to go for a walk through the finishing chute. My bike survived, but my confidence didn't and I was convinced that someone, somewhere, had it in for me.
Lesson; Shit happens more than once. Deal with it.
The last noteworthy lesson came around when I chose to compete in the National Multisport Champs as part of the 3D Rotorua. I came fifth in U19 as a 16 year old, in my first Triathlon ever. I smoked almost everyone else on the ride section, but a substandard run pulled me away from the podium. I did, however, absolutely love it and will do a lot more triathlon in the future.
Lesson; What you are doing might not be the only thing you love. The world is full of wonderful things. Cross training is great.
After all this, I took a break, traveled the world, and returned with my confidence, determination and focus renewed.
Lesson; A break every now and then doesn't hurt, it does the opposite.
So ends a Reflective Introspective on a year in the life of Robin Page. In a year with more ups and downs than a session of hill sprints, I have learnt so much. I have learnt that a rest can do wonders for body and mind, that life is tough so you have to be tougher, and to look for fun in all the corners of life.
I know that this blog is slowly turning away from reports and reviews, and that's because there is more to writing than that. This blog, in it's description, is a journey through my life as a Mountain Biker and athlete, so I want it to do that. And part of that is my thoughts.
Thanks for reading, see you out on the trails.
Robin.
