Yeeha!! Finished !!
Yaaayyy!!! Finally! I am alive, in 1 piece and still sane!! ……….. well sort of……. 
Here’s a quick rundown on my 2007 Tour de l’Aude!!!! I’m not going to describe every stage as I really cant be bothered, basically its of what goes through my crazy mind!! hehe .. me me me its all about me!! 
Originally with the conditioning (lack of training) I came to France with I wasnt supposed to start this tour but unfortunately for Brei she was still gettting headaches from the crash 4 weeks ago and I was next in line! The coaches told me “its money in the bank” as in good miles for the legs……… yeah… ok…
10 Days
Day1 - 3.9km Individual TT= Rode my heart out, actually thought I might do ok, but …. Lungs almost exploded but legs hardly turned!! End result sore throat and probably torn lung… and mid field..
Day2 - 116km Road Race= Another shocker! Legs cramping in the first 25km, got dropped, but managed to finish in a group so no time cut like I dreaded. Had a few yoyo moments through the caravan in between that too! ..oops..
Day3 - 42km Team TT= We all looked good (thats the main thing…hehe..) tried my best but still no legs, my head is a bit depressed now….. Was looking forward to today, as I really enjoyed this event last year.
Day4 - 122km = Again NO LEGS, what the hell’s happening to me! My bigest fear is time cut again!! But managed to finish again, just in small group….. I think …. still not liking this tour! grrrr….
Day5 - 107km = Bugger…. got dropped again in first 30km!! but its ok as in bout 10km we catch about 60riders in the laughing bunch and I manage to finish……. phew…
Day6 - 107km = It was a road race but I ended up doing an individual TT….. had a 10km climb, 30km down hill, then a 26km climb, then another down hill!! Again managed to pull it off and actually didnt mind this race!Hey I’m getting the hang of this tour!!! Even managed to find a time for a pee stop!!hehee…. I’m a true Euro pro now!!
Day7 - 113km = Wow miracles do happen!Had some legs today!! finally… but only for the first 30km… but hey at this point i’m stoked as I actully believe I can see the finish line….. yay for me!! dont want to crush my bike or throw it over the cliff after all…..
Day8 - 103km = Yaay… again I have some good legs…. for 60 Km then I completely blow and again struggle to the finish, but its cool got a bunch to ride with !! My mind is somehow getting happier though!! I’ve made it this far.. how bad can the rest be!! well……………………………………………
Day9 9.30 am 56km= HATING this again!! stayed with the bunch till the top and bottom of the first hill then….. BANG…. gone……. in the dumps again, at this stage im going that slow that the broom wagon (the car that follows the last riders) tells me to hang on to it so that we can finish …….. and he can have his lunch before midnight!! oh oh!! this is only the morning… another killer hill is up next in the avo
3pm - 62 km= Its ok I get into a rythm and get my ass up and over the 20km climb then its all down hill.. I get into a good bunch with some crazy Lithuanians and we go nuts till the finish!! yay 1 more day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Day10 - 68km= I have decided this is it!! will try my absolute hardest and I do, I still get dropped and get a flat, but all is good the nice Spanish team does a quick wheel change and I’m off I finish with the bunch ………….. and I am stoked to finish the tour! no crashes, no major dramas !!!
Thank god for my awesome team mates Toni, Serana, Carissa, Mitch and Gina they were absolutely awesome and they managed a 10th overall for the teams clasification!! Its an awesome achievement and I promise guys next year i’ll be fitter!!
Anyway its Monday morning, I have to ride and pack my stuff today and we’re off to Montreal onTuesday for 2 weeks, first race is the World Cup on Saturday!! eeeeeeeeeeekk!!!! Will keep you all posted!
Sorry if this was a bit long but it had to be done I think!
Thats all for now
Marina
GO YOU!
Yay for finishing!!! It’ll pay off later when you start flying aye.
Hope Montreal goes well! Good luck for that. Keep up with your stories too.
Hi Marina,
good to read your stories, even better to see your starting to show that real talent you have on the bike,
keep up the good work, and never stop attacking.
Lance Maitland.