Sabie- a small Lowveld town in Mpumalanga, South Africa, became host to the ‘kick off’ round of the 2013 UCI Marathon World Series. This past weekend, more than 3000 riders descended upon this town to experience South Africas “Mecca” of mountain biking. Whether they were lured by the winning purse, the UCI points, or the majesty of the surrounding mountains, each one who participated had a unique story to tell. This is mine..

07:00 Saturday morning, gun goes off. Such a familiar sound, a que almost. I know what lies ahead, and what I want to achieve. Somewhere between is a mountain of pain which requires 100 percent physical and mental strength to conquer. The cheers of the crowds are absorbed by the dust from our tyres as we pedal into the hills. Dimmer and dimmer, until I can hear only the sound of tyres on the gravel and the harsh breathing of my competitors.

Then it begins, the road rises gradually before me. I see it as a test. A test of my ability to come to terms, and in a sense “feed off” this monster called pain. Gradual turns to steep, and smooth to rocky. The terrain is rough, ensuring that every muscle is subject to distress. The pain is exponential, just like the profile of the race, and the speed at which I am being forced to ascend. Forced through no choice of my own, but by a power within me, refusing to let me return to my zone of comfort.

The altitude is so high. It feels like I have reached heaven itself. At that moment in time, Heaven seems like the flowing downhill trail I can spot ahead. The monster of pain momentarily loosens his ever -present grip. It’s a time to breathe, a time to replenish, a time to relish in the relief. But still, I can’t afford to let her get a significant gap on me. Mentally, it would crush me.

Crunch time arrived- right on time, when my legs had begun to sieze up. The monster is winning this game, but the driving power within me speaks over my signs of weakness. I am strong, I believe it with every aching part of me. A violently steep burst in the dying moments of the race was the seperation moment. The duo of competitors in pale pink shirts, turned to two single pale pink dots. My legs are screaming as I see her disappear around each corner of this winding piece of track.

 Then there it was, instantly in my sight, the finish line that I had patiently and painfully awaited. She got the better of me. Yet I feel like I partially won the game with pain. I came face to face with it, and embraced it with a bravery unknown to me before. Pain, Im not finished with you. Next time we begin the game on more familiar terms.

Contrary to what you are thinking right now, I absolutely loved every moment of that race. It’s a strange reality to get to grips with. I guess its what keeps us hungry- the fact that maybe next time we can hammer the nail of pain further into the wood.

Thank you to BMC for providing the platform for me to challenge pain in exciting locations on a constant basis.

With the start of  the New Year already drifting past us, the popular thing to do is claim possession of it. Many people are letting it be known via Facebook, Twitter and other social networks that they will be grabbing 2013 by the horns and taking control of it. What a wonderful concept. Really, it sounds great in 140 characters or less. Maybe people think that writing out a statement for the rest of the world to see will help those wishes come to fruition in reality.

Heres the truth- it is not going to be that simple. People don’t just miraculously become suddenly stronger, faster, smarter or better than they were on the last day in December. There will not be any miraculous developments or new opportunities throwing themselves at you. Things will be the same. Same job. Same issues. Same life. You are still the person who vocalized your desire for change recently, but what you are DOING to make certain those things happen is a whole different story.

So if everyone wants their piece of the New Years pie, how can you actually guarantee yourself a slice. You have to realise that claiming to conquer the world with no actual game-plan or aspiration is destined for failure. You have got  to dedicate time and work hard to put yourself in a position to succeed. Those people are at an advantage because the pursuit if their dreams is not postdated.

They are not waiting for a specific date, they are not talking about what they’re going to do- they are actively going after these things.

Being positive and wanting to improve is never something to mock, but some people have turned it into an empty declaration. They say what they’re going to do, seeking likes, retweets and temporary motivation rather than making statements through their actions. If its not something you are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve, eventually there will be some roadblock reason to give up.

The New Year, much like the previous one, will have its share of opportunities. If there is something, someone, or somewhere you want to be, make progressive moves to ensure it happens. Being motivated at the beginning of the year is a piece of cake. It’s the monotonous routines you experience as you beat your craft that make a difference. 2013, much like 2012, will be exactly what you make of it. Just know that there may already be people several steps ahead of you, and embrace the challenge.

Personally, I cant wait!

A massive thank you to @bmc-sa for making it possible for me to make the most of 2013! Also, to Redbull and Oakley for the individual roles that they play.

Next stop, Sabie Marathon World Cup. Follow me @candy_neethling for updates and keep reading.