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Veteran biker shares tips on returning to racing at 52
on September 18, 2024
Kath Kelly is a veteran athlete who has undertaken many punishing endurance challenges in New Zealand and internationally over the years.
Here, Kath writes about her return to racing, and what she has found helpful in her early 50s.
"After having my first summer season away from racing since 2007, I have come back fuelled for some more fun and pushing my body to its limits this season. I recently took on the Linger & Die XC mountain bike race - a grass roots cross country race catering for all abilities. The trails are a menagerie of single track which weave through the forest in undulating terrain. It's a traffic jam from the start gun leading straight into a single track and you never really get a chance to get too much speed up or passing opportunity until you hit the fire trails. There is no reprieve for the entire race which usually lasts a little over an hour. I have one more race (out of 6) to complete and be in with a chance of clinching the overall series female win, but anything can happen on the day right! The Linger & Die XC mountain bike race was 3 stages this year. Stage 1 was a technical 2.5 km uphill climb, followed by a fast, flowy and slippery downhill stage 2. Once all the riders had completed the first two stages we all congregated by the start gates and took off for a fast and furious 18 kilometres of technical single track before the terrible rain weather forecast set in. This terrain is, in my opinion, some of the best riding in the world with its unique rocky features and fast flowing trails amongst thyme and the odd pine tree forest. I was passed half way through this stage by Gabby Buchannan from Taupo who was steaming along. I had to work hard to keep on her tail. I felt I had the legs and the patience to take this battle on. It was just a matter of riding safe on the descents and digging it in on the climbs and flats.
Unfortunately she had a wee lie down on Single Malt trail which is on the edge of extreme for XC racing. I was able to hold my lead after this. However, I nearly duffed my win when I forgot to check in my timing chip at the finish line posts. I was very thankful that someone saw me not checking in and prompted me to go back and time out, plus I was lucky I had enough time up my sleeve to rectify my race finish fever.
As an older athlete at nearly 52, I have learned that recovery from training and racing takes longer, but having had a break and returning to racing, I’m loving it.
"I have learned that functional training, body maintenance exercise - such as yoga - and smarter training is essential. "I take CurraNZ and love that the product is locally grown here in New Zealand and is 100% natural. It is part of my morning daily ritual which I swear by - it definitely aids recovery and supports my performance and general wellbeing.
"I'll take an extra CurraNZ capsule a day, a few days leading up to a race, I find it helps prepare my body for that extra race pace, onslaught and recovery afterwards.
"My next major event is the Glenorchy 160km gravel race which is rolling around very quickly - so I'll be sure to be loading up on CurraNZ for this race!"
