![\"ccs-62657-0-72989300-1427213079.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-72989300-1427213079.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nAfter an injury setback in 2014, Mariske Strauss is back on the bike, and more excited than ever to be competing in the Stihl 2015 SA XCO Cup Series at Voortrekker Monument in Gauteng on Saturday 28 March. \/\/ Photo credit: Darren Goddard.<\/span><\/p>\n She also stressed the importance of not getting too serious at such a young age: \u201cYes it is important to have a good mind-set, however, especially for the younger riders, there are so many years ahead of you \u2013 there\u2019s no point in absolutely killing yourself now. It\u2019s good for young riders to have a more conservative approach to races such as ‘Epic, in order to gain race knowledge and experience without straining their young bodies too much.\u201d<\/p>\n At the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last year, Strauss suffered a serious injury to her abdominal muscles, and has since then been taking it very easy, yet working very hard on the road to recovery.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen muscles get hurt, they switch off, and the others have to compensate, which then puts those muscles under strain.\u201d Her decision to take time out to recover was one of the best she has made so far. She has accepted and embraced her situation, describing the process as a \u201cvery interesting time\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing at physio and chiro sessions three to four times a week, it\u2019s almost like a full time job just to get me back into one piece again,\u201d she laughs as she talks about the positive side of her setback.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just so lucky I have such an amazing support group behind me getting me through it all. Clinton from Sports Science, my coach Jeroen Swart, my physiotherapist, my chiropractor, my sponsors, and my family and friends. It all really just makes such a difference,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n It has been as much of a psychological battle for her as has a physical one. \u201cI am, in a way, thankful for this experience. I could write a book that people would actually want to read now, as opposed to a book that would say: \u2018I raced, I won, the end\u2019. If I am able to help at least one other person down the line who has a setback like this, then I feel that this whole experience was worth it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere has been such incredible support and such wonderful people wanting me to take the time I need to recover, I don\u2019t feel any pressure from anybody to have to compete when I\u2019m not ready, so the stress from that side of things is off, which also helps a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n When chatting about this coming weekend\u2019s XCO Cup event in Gauteng on Saturday, Strauss, with no puns intended, described herself as seemingly \u201cwell-oiled\u201d for the race.<\/p>\n \u201cI am nervous as my injury starts reminding me it\u2019s there during high intensity work, like XCO. It seems to have kept it together, even after Epic. Everything seems to be going smoothly so far and I\u2019m not fighting myself. We will just have to wait and see. This is my first time racing a national since the Commonwealth injury – I cannot wait to be back on my bike,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She also has a new bike, which she has named Beasty. \u201cIt will be mine and Beasty\u2019s first National, and first time on the Voortrekker track. I am beyond excited, I always love a new challenge, and there are always new tricks and turns up the sleeves of the course designers, so I can\u2019t wait to see what the track has in store for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Entries for the Stihl 2015 SA XCO Cup Series #2 close at midnight tonight, 24 March. To enter, click here: http:\/\/csams.cyclingsa.com\/enter-an-event\/mtb\/2015—mtb—sa-cup-series-2-xco.aspx<\/a>. Late entries will be accepted at registration, with a nominal charge of R50 added to the entrance fee.<\/p>\n