Katie Compton's 2009 Cyclocross season won't soon be forgotten. She went undefeated for months at a time-- she won everything there was to win from Cross Vegas to USGP's to World Cups-- eventually landing her atop both the UCI World Rankings and the World Cup Series overall. She capped off the year with her 6th consecutive National Championship in Bend, OR. Katie was deep in the mist of a historic season when the calender changed to 2010. Looking back, it's hard to believe just how bad things got. A long fight with bronchitis led to a long flight to Europe and ended with the notorious leg cramps that have become all to commonly associated with the name Katie Comtpon. We caught up with Katie this week to get the facts strait. 



Coming off a high point after taking home the National Championship, when did you fist start suffering from the leg cramps?

I was fine and starting to feel good and get my legs back under me after having bronchitis in Dec/Jan.  We traveled to Belgium prior to Roubaix and I was feeling good when I got there.  It wasn't till I was pre-riding at Roubaix when I crashed on one of the slippery downhills that I had an issue.  The crash wasn't bad but it caused my legs to lock up straight away.  I tried to ride a little to loosen them up and to see if they would go away but they just got worse so I was forced to not start.  That was the beginning of a very long 3 weeks.  

Can you explain the actual condition that leeds to the cramping?

We're still working on that.  I've had lots of testing done and everything comes back normal so that is where it gets really difficult to figure out.  I've been dealing with this since I was 18 so I've gone through a lot and have seen numerous doctors and we still don't know what is actually going on with me.  I'm perfectly normal between episodes and pretty soon after recovering from one so that makes testing difficult too.

You sat out a couple of races in the weeks before the World Championships. What, if any, training were you able to do during that time?

It's funny people ask me that question, if I could actual ride and train then I would be racing.  When I have an episode, I can't ride at all and have trouble walking around or doing any exercise for that matter, all I do is rest, read, try not to eat too much and hope my legs come around sooner rather than later.  I usually have message and also do a lot of stretching.

Can you talk about the decision to start the race at worlds? What was the mood like in the last couple days before the race?

I was hopeful to be able to ride and race, my legs weren't hurting as badly moving around in the few days prior to worlds.  Unfortunately they quickly cramped up once I got on my bike so the odds weren't good that I would be able to race.  I don't think I'll do that again, if I'm cramping leading up to the race I'll just skip it entirely next time.  I'm tired of putting myself through the mental and physical pain.  Despite how I felt, my mood was still pretty good considering.  I had my ups and downs leading up to it but I really try to stay positive and be in good spirits for the team, no one wants to hang out with a negative nelly so I try not to be that person.  I had my moments of being upset but I've moved on now and put it behind me.  

The mood for a couple days after the race?

A little down but anxious to get home to recover and try some new treatment.  I'm doing much better now.

Will we see you on the Mountain Bike again in 2010? If so, do you have an idea of what your schedule will look like?

I will be racing mtb this summer and am already looking forward to it.  I can't wait to start training again and I'm excited to do so more mtb racing.  I plan to do the first 2 world cups, and some of the national races that are close to me but we haven't dialed in a schedule just yet. 

How was you're experience working with Planet Bike this season? Will you be riding for them going forward?

It was great riding for PB and having a team to hang out with and support this season.  We met some great people working with PB and I think it made my season that much better.  PB allowed me to do the races I wanted and also lead the WC for most of the season so I'm happy I could do that.  Unfortunately, I wont be riding for PB again this season due to some changes within the company but we're thankful for the support they were able to give through this cross season.  We're looking for a another sponsor right now and hopefully that'll come through in the next couple months.

How's the new addition to the family? Does she get along with Jiggs? [editors note: Jiggs is the Border Collie of fellow six time cyclocross national champion Alison Dunlap. Jiggs and Katie's Rottweilers have a history of conflict. Ask her to tell you the story some time.]

Pixie is doing awesome, she's a real sweetie and we're really excited to have her with us.  She's super cuddly and gets along with all the dogs she's met so far so if she and Jiggs don't get along then it's not her fault!  She can also move super fast with only 3 legs.  We've never seen a rottie run as fast as she does.  Maybe it's because she is lighter and more aero.