After a long drive, we eventually got to a windy Port Elizabeth.
We went to race briefing and received our new WP tri-suits. We had a relaxed dinner with the team at Primi Piatti.
I went back to the guest house and packed my race bag.
Sunday morning - Race day:
I woke up, followed my usual routine and off we went to the race venue.
I racked my bike and went for a warm-up swim.
I realised I was very calm...not nervous at all (very unusual for me). I knew my head was not in the race. At the start of the swim I tried to get my focus and my head in the race.
The swim was crazy, the sea was rough. We had a 2 lap swim (2 x 750m). At the start of my 2nd lap I struggle to get back in the water. The waves kept pushing me back.
After a very long and tough swim, I was in and out of T1 and onto a very windy bike leg.
We had a 2 lap bike route (2 x 20km). On the way out to the turn-around point the wind was right from the front. I pushed hard against the wind but I also tried not to kill my legs in the wind.
Coming into T2 I knew I had to push hard on the run. As I ran out of T2 I knew it was going to be a long run. I was feeling flat and had no energy.
I tried to push through it and the harder I pushed the worst I felt.
We had a 4 lap run route (4 x 2.5km). On lap 2 I started to get a terrible back pain. I never wanted to stop so badly before. I kept on telling myself "you got this far, just keep going".
With about 3k's to go I gave it everything but there was nothing.
I finished the race with a 5th place in my age group! I am happy with my position, but I knew I could've done so much better. Officially this is my worst race ever!
I had a great season and achieved my goal!
Thank you to everyone who supported me and believed in me!
It's time to hang up the Road bike and let the fun and games begin on the Mountain Bike.
32 weeks to go - Xterra World Champs!!!
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