6th in the 25-29 division, 1st non Australian.
This was my first world championship in the road racing scene. And it is quite different from racing Xterra Worlds. Here are my thoughts to and around this race and its preparations.
I have not been racing much and felt one important race to shoot for and focus on would be the way to go this season. I signed up for the ITU wolrd’s race because I would have been moved to Brisbane by July and the Goldcoast is only 1 hour of car drive away. I gave it a shot and emailed my triathlon resume to the DTU (German Tri Union). A week later I received the confirmation that I’d be racing for Germany, Agegroup 25-29.
Although I received occasional feedback from Dr. Mike McMahon, who coached me last year, I have been coaching myself. Because I did not know how busy I’d be with uni once in Brisbane, I trained focused and hard while still in Hawaii. I felt my fitness level was improving, however I missed the objective input and guidance of my former coach.
Once in Brisbane, I was immediately able to get to know great people who were supportive in me settling in. I got to know Brad Beven and his Croc’s Squad and did a couple of long distance training rides with them. My teachers at Uni Queensland were very understanding and supportive regards my training as well. The training was tougher than usual, though. My plan was to get as much hard work in prior to moving to Brisbane and then maintain my fitness level, as I was not sure how much time and energy I’d have for training. I was able, however to I still keep progressing with my performance level, despite school. But the emotional stress related to the move; being homesick, being a foreigner, getting lost during workouts or not finding places and locations, and supermarkets closing at 5pm, was nerve wrecking at times, leaving me a bit unmotivated in the end and lowering the excitement for World’s. Also because I absolutely did not know where I will be standing. Could be top 5, top 10, top 20. So the focus was really only on doing my very best in training and for the race, whatever the outcome. I know that this is the highest goal for all training and racing. However, when I race Xterra, there was a constant adrenaline in my system that kept me “aggressive” just because I knew my competition and knew they are not sleeping either.
Then the race was approaching and it was time for the taper. I started to feel ups and downs of nervousness and confidence, with the confidence winning over most times. I knew I did the work, I knew I was fit and that I just need to get out there and do my job; staying focused and pushing each moment. Mike always says, “all you have to do is go out there and do you best in each moment. It is pretty simple, actually”. His saying is with me each race.. I slept very well the days before the race, which was unusual. I had my own hotel room and was by my own the days prior to race day. I was unexpectedly calm; little nervous but not as bad as racing Xterra. There as an expo and about 6000 people racing this weekend. However there was no hectic or stress. It seemed like everybody (athletes) just zoomed in and did their own thing. That was nice. There was a huge pasta party two days prior to the race (which is how it should be anyways), and a parade of Nations. It was really great and I felt honored to be able to race. I felt appreciated. I used to be much more nervous prior to Xterra races; there are so many more variables that you can’t control on race day: The race course is most of the times unfamiliar, the weather conditions play a greater role and technical problems on the bike are morel likely. In the end you are given the opportunity to do well when racing; to do as well as you can possibly be, and having a technical on the bike is hard to take. I like road racing because you just get up, get ready, take your marks and then hammer. But I managed to loose my waterbottle.. bummer. But it was one of the best race I have gone through, knowing that I did my best every moment.
Although I lost my water bottle on the bike, which made me slow down and look and pick up bottles from the ground, I still had the 4th fastest bike time of the day. Although I was not able to do much hard running because if my lingering hamstring pain, I was able to have the 7th fasted run. Overall I came in 6th place.
Thanks to my supporters:
Aaron - Somerville Pool
Gary Land – Pro Bike Fit
Scott Robinson – Massage Therapist
Brad Beven – shooting pics on raceday
Jac Kelly – good friend and buddy
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