I have much to tell about last weekend’s Apostle Inline Marathon. But right now, I’m in the mood to look back upon some milestones that I hit along the way since I started skating competitively in 2006. 2011 season holds much significance because I have a big goal to achieve in September. All those hours of hard work in the last five years culminating in one race. It’s easy to let the stress get the better of me. With my first win in the pro category last weekend, I want to savour some important moments of my skating career.
The 2007 Mississauga Criterium women’s 10k race was a small local race but it was the first time that I earned my spot on the podium. I stood on podiums before but with the typically small number of racers in women’s races, it was all by default. On that hot summer day, I dropped enough competitors to finish my race in third place.
In 2008 I continued to compete in the age group category (i.e. not pro). An early season race in Detroit marked my first win in the 30-39 women category. I was feverish and weak yet somehow I skated with future teammate Bob Harwell in the pack. Harwell dropped me like a rock when he attacked but that race marked the first time I was competitive with racers I previously only heard about.
When I attended the awards ceremony at Northshore Inline Marathon in 2006, I quietly said to myself that I want one of those medals around my neck one day. In 2008, that dream became a reality. I proudly accepted my third place medal in the women 30-34 category despite overcoming a crash mid-race. It was a great moment when us three Canadian girls all earned third place finish in our respective category with Martine in pro women and Carolyn in 34-39 age group.
2008 really was a banner year. I went to New York for the NYC Skate Marathon on a whim and won the overall advanced women 42k in a rain race. I ruined one whole set of bearings yet the satisfaction of an unexpected win was well-worth the price. A podium finish is great but it’s certainly not the same as being overall winner (Just look at that inflated ego!).
The success of my 2008 season meant I began to set my sight on racing pro. It was certainly not an effortless transition but one of the best things that happened was joining Team Asphalt Beach/K2 in 2009. The support of my teammates obviously plays a huge part in my skating but more importantly, I learn to race and strategize as part of a team.
It seems like I have a knack of surpassing expectations when I race for the fun of it. I registered for the 38 mile race in 2010 Athens To Atlanta after much persuasion from my teammates. I just thought there’s no better way to experience oldest road race in North America than skating in a cooperative pack with my team who knows the course like the back of their hands. I won the women’s category knowing the course record is within reach should I attempt it again in future.
After working with my head down in the last two seasons, I finally have some tangible result to show. At times, improvement was so subtle that doubts set in. Training in Denmark proved to be a good decision as it cemented my ability to skate faster than I ever believed I could. Sure I did not beat out all the competition (kudos to Kara Peterson for a strong performance and winning the overall) but I hope it is the beginning of something good. I was so proud to share the podium with teammate Nadine.
For the time being, I’m enjoying an elevated confidence in my skating. The power of positive thinking cannot be under-estimated. I want to harness every little advantage to better prepare myself for the big race ahead. Tick tock, tick tock.
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