Catharine Pendrel is 2014 world mountain bike champion and winner of 10 world cups. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You were a competitive horse rider in dressage prior to selecting mountain biking as your primary sport. Your brother Geoff Pendrel himself being an elite downhill mountain bike racer introduced this sports to you. You were ignited and made competitive cross-country mountain bike racing as your career and reached the pinnacle of success by winning world champion in cross-country mountain biking in 2011 and 2014.Tell us about your journey that took you to where you are now in the world of competitive cross-country mountain bike racing and what factors you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?
Ms. Catharine Pendrel:
Phew! That’s a big question! My brother introduced me to mtn biking when I was 16 (1997). He was older and already racing. I loved the community I saw at the races. The people racing seemed so fun that I wanted to learn to ride just to be part of that group. I switched from horse back riding (eventing and hunter/jumper) to mtn biking then when I was 16.
With starting University in another year I thought that mtn biking would be the perfect thing to help me stay fit and meet really cool people. I raced locally for years with the aspiration of going to the 2001 Canada Summer Games which I did (6th), but had no clue where to take cycling after that. I drifted for a bit until I signed up for the Triathlon club at the University of Victoria. On the first bike practice (2002) I met my future coach of 11 years Dan Proulx and my future husband Keith. Both Dan and Keith have had a huge role in my being able to accomplish what I have in cycling.
I think a support crew like I have is essential to success. At times…particularly when you have no money or bad races, you will ask yourself “why am I doing this?” and “is it worth it?” It really helps to have people behind you that say “yes it is worth it, let’s make it happen”.
I think you also need someone that can guide your training with objectivity and common sense as well as people that keep life fun and balanced. If it was all about the bike, bad day on the bike would become more than just a bad practice. Balance helps keep life in perspective.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You once said that your first rides on your bike were often quite nervous ones ruled by fear, especially on descents where you would walk your bike down, you said that “what I remember from starting is falling and crashing a lot.”. How could you overcome this fear in mountain bike racing as a sport?
Ms. Catharine Pendrel:
I wouldn’t say they were ruled by fear. I had a lot of fun. I had a lot of little crashes too, but I was ok with walking tough features until I was ready. I think this low pressure approach to learning really helped as I could progress at a rate I was comfortable with and pretty soon was known for my technical skill on a bike. With fear it is the same. You need to progress your skills in manageable steps, feel confident and successful with smaller features before expecting yourself to rail down a trail and over jumps… and sometime you just have to tell your brain to shut up and go. A Gretzky quote I like is that “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?
Ms. Catharine Pendrel:
I really like cross:country skiing in the winter. I think being able to take a break from cycling and enjoy another sport really helps my mind and body stay healthy. It is good to challenge yourself in another way and when you come back to the bike again you are really excited to ride and have great training energy. Closer to race season I maintain this fresh energy by mixing my riding up between road and mtn biking, intervals and long endurance rides.
Video
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
