Pre-race headspace

After Outlaw 70.3 I continued to build volume. There were dark days especially as the build was reaching maximum capacity the 17 hours training weeks, it was tough both physically and mentally, it was a juggling act of working full time, household chores, briefly seeing family and friends, eating and sleeping.

The relief I felt to finally hit taper was such a joy, but the taper crazies quickly creep in. You doubt yourself, you feel lazy, you question everything. I knew deep down I couldn’t have given my sub 12 challenge anymore. I had trained so hard.

The anxiety and the level of pressure I had out on myself were at times overwhelming! I don’t mind admitting there were a few tears shed at various times when the enormity of what I was about to do just got to me.

I went through a wave of emotions leading into the race. Nerves and anxiety, switched to excitement and anticipation.

Race Day

Roth is a huge event. The biggest I have ever done, yet it also has this amazing energy and vibe that is magical and breath taking.

As we stood before the race start the nerves again kicked in. I needed a moment to compose myself, the music and the starting cannons were fast adding to my nerves. I was heading to the swim start when one of my Triathlete girls from my local club, turned to me hugged me and said, “Believe in your training, you can do this.” Those words bounced around my head in my dark moments. I could believe in my training. I had banked those hours and miles and I knew I had trained hard.

I exited the swim down on time by about 5 mins from what I was hoping. I didn’t panic I just got out my wet suit, did my T1 business and cracked on. Only rookie mistake I made running with my bikes shoes all the way to the mount line before stopping and putting them whilst holding my bike with one hand! Face palm moment right there!!

The bike was enjoyable I knew what I needed to do and executed this well. It was a busy course and you needed power surges to move around and out of peoples draft zones or run the risk of being penalised or disqualified.

The most magical moment was climbing Sollar Hill. That was breath-taking. I had goosebumps and felt a wave of emotions hit me as all these people are screaming at you to keep going. I felt like a pro cyclist!

Before I knew it, I was heading towards T2 and run time was about to commence. It was like running in a furnace, the heat level had increased. I stuck to the HR plan; I knew what I needed to be doing. In my head at this time, I was only focusing on the job in hand, I was yet to work out how much I was ahead of my sub 12 hour time goal. I needed to focus on my run cadence, my fuel, water intake and my HR.

Whilst running I was desperate for shade. Running along the canal path the heat was bouncing back from the white gravel on the floor. I settled in running behind a German guy, focusing on his cadence, the sound of our feet hitting the floor was rhythmical and kept my mind focused. This and the focus of having a gel at regular mile markers allowed me to break down the distance.

I just kept running and running, I looked at my time at ½ way knowing if I could maintain this, I would get my time goal. I wouldn’t quit. The hills towards the end came and went and I was still running. I began to believe I could actually do this!

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