It is World Championships week! I have been looking forward to this race all season. Training has been going well. I have been feeling strong on the bike, and I had a strong last race finishing 6th at Sea Otter Girona, the last UCI Gravel Series race prior to the World Championships.

Unfortunately, shortly after Sea Otter, I began feeling quite sick. I had a sore neck, back and stomach.  I had a painful dentist appointment the Tuesday after Sea Otter, so I thought maybe that was causing my pain. I kept riding, as at the time, the pain seemed manageable, and I was fully focused on preparing for World Championships. However, things changed quickly on Thursday, when after my ride, I felt like I could hardly move as my back, neck, and stomach were in a lot of pain and eventually, I got sick. I was up all night with bad stomach pains, I couldn’t hold any food or water down, I was sweating but also getting the chills. I knew at this point something wasn’t right. On Friday I was in bed all day, not able to hold any food or water down and feeling dizzy and weak. Nothing changed come Saturday, and eventually on Sunday, at 5am, I went to the hospital. After some tests, I found out I have been suffering from a bacterial stomach infection. I was treated at the hospital that morning and began three days of antibiotics.

         At this point, the World Championships is only 6 days away and I am becoming apprehensive and nervous about the race. I am starting to panic. Everything is paid for, my dad is coming all the way from Canada to support me with this race, and this is the biggest race of the year! After talking with my coach and family, we decided to take things day by day. So for the next few days, I focused on eating, drinking, resting and trying to stay relaxed. I was able to do my first ride, 1-hour easy spin on Wednesday, the day I am leaving for the race and my first ride in 5 days. Obviously, I did not feel super strong but I am still hoping with each day, focusing on fueling and staying relaxed, I can make it the start line on Saturday. This was not the preparation I had hoped for but all I can do now is go out and do the best I can with what I have at this time. I might not be on my top form, but I will do everything I can to have the best race possible.

         This is not my normal “pre” race blog. But right now, I had to completely change my goals and expectations for the race. I have no idea how I will race or feel. The goal is to get to the start line and race as hard as I can. Most importantly for me, I am racing for all my sponsors and supporters this year. This race is for, TLAB, CAPO, Kenda, HUNT, POC, Inspire Athlete Management and my friends and family. I want to make every one of them proud with all the support I have received this year. Especially, for this race, Kenda has provided additional support to get me to the World Championships, this is something I am extremely grateful for and will not take for granted.

Finally, to see what I am up to pre-race, keep up  to date on my Instagram. I will be doing a full bike check for the race and a closer look of my tire set up with the Kenda Alluvium Pro tires!

         Thank you for reading and supporting me! I am manifesting good vibes for this weekend!