Interview: Crocodile Trophy winner Abby McLennan

A  It means the world to me to win the croc trophy. This race is extremely tough and has been the main focus in my life for over two years now. I'd only dreamed that I would take it out.    

A. Yes of course I was suprised, I know I've trained very hard for this event and was in good form but I did expect it to be a little closer. It took the pressure off a bit but didn't make the race any easier.

A. One description comes to mind: Day 3, 144k the stage took me over 7hours, the first 60k was rough rocky single track, the middle 40k was into a fierce head wind and the last 44k was constant climbing up the most ridiculous unrideable terrain. If you can imagine a rocky dry river bed with a loose sandy base and rocks as big as your head, this is what every hill one after the other was like. It seemed as though there were about 15 in a row and we had to walk up 80% of them. What was going through my head at the time was Gerhard the race organiser telling us the night before; "It's rough but all rideable", Yeah right!!   

A.  It was a very sad morning for everyone involved in the race when we heard or Weit's passing. We all end up feeling like a big family after a few days and everybody gets on so well. I think most riders felt as though they were even more inspired to complete the race in memory of Weit. 

A Keeping your thoughts positive. Its difficult but you have to learn to control the little switch in your head, turn it off when the pain kicks in.  

A We began training for the croc at the very start of 2010, my team (husband Scott and mate Brendon Skerke), put in a lot of long hours in the saddle. We would train in the same terrain and conditions as the race and would do 3 to 4 long days in a row and then smaller sessions of motor pacing and intervals and one day a week off .

A. Thats our biggest advantage.. We live in Cairns and spend the entire summer training in ridiculous heat and humidity, then we head out west to give ourselves a dose of dry heat and dust. We're very lucky to have this on our doorstep, it definately helps to be used to the climate.  

A. Drink, drink and drink some more! (water that is!). After each stage we try to rest completely.  Protein for muscle recovery, eat as much as possible for fuel, and a good set of ear plugs for a good nights sleep. Our special massage cream for the legs helps too, my dad used to be a dairy farmer and gave us some linement he uses for cows udders! It's amazing, cooling and calming and takes away that heavy aching feeling.  

And finally...

Q. If the Crocodile Trophy was crossed with Survivor, and you could only take one luxury item with you, what would you take, and why!!??

  A Spare set of legs!!  ha ha!! Considering my whole adult life my motto has been "anything under 5 star is camping"! my second choice would be a 5 star luxury R.V. with air conditioning, my own shower, toilet, fridge, recliner, maybe even a spa? and the list goes on!!  Everyone else would be suffering from a bad case of "Camp Envy". If anyone's loooking for me I'll be "In my trailer"!!!