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Manavgat,
Turkey (March
16, 2008)
– MTB World Cup Marathon #1
We are
finally back!
Instead of a race report I think I will
write this more as lessons learned on
our first trip to the other side of the
world and a Top Ten World Cup (7th
place) finish was still made!
This time I concentrated on making sure
the bike worked perfect and that we knew
the course and where all the check
points would be. I am glad to say that
the bike and all of the components
worked perfectly!
We also worked very hard on
making sure Pua was in sink with the
time in Turkey and relaxed after some
pre race training in Manavgat, this was
done to the tee also.
The Big,
Big lesson learned:
Pua has been on a very regimented diet
since the beginning of the year under
guidance from her new partner and
nutritionist (Kim Mueller of Fuel
Factor). Levels of carbs, calories,
protein, etc, have been monitored daily.
Adjustments have also been made everyday
depending on how much training she has
done to keep her from a calorie deficit,
also to make sure her recovery is fast
and her glycogen stores are full. Pua
has felt more power and has preformed at
a higher level since we started this. We
were so caught up in everything else
about our trip that this was forgotten
in Turkey and she went into the race
without the proper pre-race nutrition.
At the
race:
She jumped up front and pushed all the
top women to answer on the first hill
but after about 35-40 minutes she knew
her energy was not at her normal level
and she had to fight to stay up front.
After the first hour she battled
cramping legs and her heart was racing
as it attempted to make up for the loss
of fuel base by pumping more blood. She
did everything she could to hold off the
chasing women and stay in the top ten.
I am very, very proud of her for being
able to do this and I think it was
amazing to be in such an elite field of
Women and still place so well. Pua is
eager to go back and show everyone what
she can really do at a world cup and she
will.
Pua is also adding to her story about
the trip on our website, it's a really
fun read check it out! Lots of crazy
drama and fun on this trip. Go To
www.teammata.com/pua/ under Pua's
Post, she will be posting parts of the
story daily right up to the race story
from Pua's perspective.
Full results can be found on
cyclingnews.com
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