Welcome to carolineryan.ie where I will keep you up to date as my season progresses from training, taking part in competitions to giving you insights into what an Elite Cyclist does to prepare to qualify for the world’s biggest sporting event in London 2012. I will have regular blog updates to give you the inside track on my preparations and how my season is progressing.
Medals in World Championships are hard to come by. I'm now privileged to have my first Elite World Championship Medal under my belt. This came as a surprise to myself as much as others, however it goes to show that hard work and preparation pays off. Unwavering support and total belief from my coach Brian Nugent from the first time I turned a pedal until now has undoubtedly been key to my progress. I owe my success to his persistence. The other man in my life, my Dad, has been with me through all my sporting conquests from the day I first sat in a rowing boat until now. Your name is on this one too Dad. As you always say....it's another important one!
When saying thank you's one is always at risk of not mentioning somebody important. However I would like to say a particular thank you to Andy Sparks and Tommy Evans who have both been a valuable part of our coaching team. Cycling Ireland for giving me this opportunity and support, the Irish Sports Council, the Sports Science Team at ORRECO and the Irish Institute of Sport. Also, a huge thanks to all my sponsors that have helped me along the way as without their financial assistance this would not have been possible, in particular Bus Eireann, Richies and the numerous Garda Clubs and Organisations who continue to support me.
For the Points race on Thursday night, mental preparation and tactics were the key. As an endurance rider I needed to race this knowing my strengths and riding to them. After the race and the euphoria of medaling, I asked myself (as any elite athlete would) what could I have done to get myself into the Silver or Gold positions - My answer, Nothing. I raced my heart out, emptied the tank and at this point in time that was the very best result I could have achieved.
I was lucky enough to have family support in Melbourne as my sister Jackie and cousin Trisha were in the crowd screaming their support and waving the Tricolour. When the going got tough their cheers really gave me that extra zip when I needed it the most. Brandon Madden and Jennie Reed's familiar animated cheers and support was a big help to carry me up the straights. Who needs a Four-leaf Clover when you have such wonderful support as this!
Standing on the Podium, watching the Irish Flag being raised as the first Irish Track Cyclist in over a hundred years to win a Medal at an Elite World Championships, made me so proud. As the Gold Medalist Russian rider Anastasia Chulkova had the Rainbow Jersey pulled over her head I knew that this is only the beginning for me. I want to stand on that Podium again and hear Amhran na Bhfiann ringing out.
Trying to put the overwhelming support and excitement from home in a box for now, and turn my focus to Sunday's Individual Pursuit, which is my main event. To get my best performance out on Sunday it is vital that the body has time to recover and to focus the mind. Update tomorrow evening!
Our Journey to Australia was pretty smooth the whole way out helped by the fact that we had extra legroom on both flights. We arrived into Melbourne on Tuesday night and our last hurdle was Customs. We got drilled about our Bikes and Luggage like we knew we would. We were through most of the questions and about to head on our way when the Customs Officer jokingly asked if I by any chance had a Irish Lucky Clover with me……which I had! And being the honest soul that I am was straight up 'Eh, Yes I do actually!' So, it was straight up to desk to get the 'Lucky Clover' examined! It was a dried clover in laminate paper that I use as a bookmark. Once 'The Clover' had cleared customs we were met outside arrivals by Dermot Healy the Irish Team Manager for Worlds and Shannon McCurley and her Dad who took us to our Hotel in the City Centre. First impressions of Melbourne were bright lights and lots of people out on the town....then we turned down our street which lead directly onto Chinatown..! We were starting to getting a bit worried then but we shouldn't have as the rooms and hotel were perfect and had the added plus of free Wifi.
Already we have a favourite spot for dinner, a little Italian place called 'Pellegrini's'. They serve up the best Pasta. In the space of 5" of you sitting down it's plonked in front of you with a flourish and we hoover it down in record time. On day one here we trained at the DISC 'Training' Velodrome early the morning after we arrived and got to open up our legs and shake the flights out of them. They needed it big time as we all woke up a bit out of kilter. The following day the Hisense Velodrome opened up to Teams and we got to feel the boards - The Hisense is where we will be racing. It has been newly sanded so it's nice and smooth and I liked it straight-off. Now, as we get closer to race-day the temptation is to think too much about racing instead of relaxing when we're not training, so today I popped into a Bookshop on the corner and bought myself something to read and chill out with - 'It's All About the Bike' by Robert Penn. I'll let you know what I think of it but from the cover it looks like a good one. We just finished our last training session on the track today and the legs are feeling great! I'm feeling good and looking forward now to giving these girls a run for their money!
