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Checking goals with personal fitness
Posted: Thursday July 13, 2000 02:26 PM
Ruthie Matthes is No. 6 in the world in the latest International Cycling Union cross country rankings. The 35-year-old American was the UCI World Cup champion in 1992 and the national cross country champion from 1996-98. Matthes currently is training for the Olympic Games in Sydney. Check out Matthes' diary every other week on CNNSI.com.
July 13, 2000
Durango, Colo.
It is great to be home for a couple of weeks to regroup and recharge for
the remainder of the season.
I just returned from a three-week tour, beginning in Mount Snow, Vermont
with the second round of the NORBA National Championship Series (NCS) and
followed by two World Cup races in Canada (Mont-Sainte-Anne and Canmore).
My best result was in Vermont, placing third and chasing Mary Grigson from
Australia for the NCS lead. I was sixth at Mont-Sainte-Anne and ninth at
Canmore to round out the trip.
| Mailbag |
| Ruthie Matthes will answer questions from CNNSI.com users in future editions of her diary. If you'd like to submit a question, please enter it below. |
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The Olympic team will officially be named on Friday (July 14), so I am
looking forward to that announcement. I have had solid results so far this
season, but yet to hit the feeling of really being on form. Friday will
mark a point to check goals with current fitness and design a personalized
program to reach those goals with my coach Stephane Girard (U.S. national
team coach).
I am looking forward to having a couple NCS races close to home to keep
race sharpness without a lot of travel. I definitely do not like the
waiting for the naming of the team. One of my two sixth places. So it looks
good, but a big relief to know for sure!
In response to your questions:
I have a daughter named Ruthie who is 5 years old. We watch for you on TV! She has been riding a bike for a year. Do you have any advice for her as a young girl getting started in cycling?
Michael Moran, Glastonbury, CT
Michael,
I think it is great your daughter Ruthie is riding a bike at age 5. I think
she started before I did. My older sister, Amelia, taught me to ride on a
bike. I could barely reach the pedals! There is a great article in the
latest VeloNews, July 24, regarding kids and bikes. My advice is to keep
the FUN in riding! Listen to what Ruthie wants to do, how far, how long,
how many stops, ride with you, ride with her friends, where and when. I am
grateful my parents never pushed me in sports. Cycling may be her favorite
sport for now and that may change. I grew up on skis and then made a change
when I discovered bike racing at 17. So whatever sport she chooses to do,
if she enjoys it, that is the greatest reward.
I just wanted to let you know that meeting you last year at Mt. Snow was one of the high points of my trip. I look forward to seeing you there again. I was the fella who tried to talk you out of that nice hat you wore. Good luck this season.
Greg Patton, Greenwich, CT
Greg,
Thanks for coming to Mount Snow again this year. Yes, I remember you and
the hat! I still have it for this year's podium finishes! Thanks so much
for your encouragement and support. It means a lot to me. I hope to see you
in 2001! All the best.
What are your expectations for Sydney? Are you ready for September?
Claudia, Merced, Ca
Claudia,
Ah, Sydney. As I said above, the team is named Friday. As far as
expectations, I have found that they often lead to disappointment. I am
aiming to be at peak fitness for the race. I am not yet ready for the race
in September, but I have 10 weeks to hone my fitness and reach my peak! If
I was ready now and at my best, it would be very hard to maintain that form
for 10 weeks. I know that I have another level to reach, and that is
exciting!
Is it true when you won the world mountain bike title in 1991 that the night before the race you were in a car accident?
Sully, Palo Alto, Ca
Sully!
How are you? Hey world, this is the guy who taught me to hold on to the
handlebars tight and relax my elbows to claim my first mountain bike World
Championship medal? bronze! Yep, a little excitement the night before the
1991 Worlds! Maybe a video game before the Olympics? Sully, thanks for all
the inspiration, encouragement and laughs! You are the best, you champ!
Look me up at Trek, would you?
In two weeks, I will let you all know how the road to the Games is looking
and I hope to report the best news. Until then ride for fun and laughs,
support your local bike clubs and take a little person out for a ride. Show
them how much enjoyment a person can have on two wheels!
-- Ruthie
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