My Ironman70.3 Journey!!

The only negative of the 11 hours drive from East London to Cape Town is that you have too much time thinking about the ‘if only’s’.

If only …

If only…

If only… It’s done, race day is over and you can’t change anything about it so stop pondering over the if only’s.

Every race is a learning curve and I gained so much out of this experience.

Yes If only I felt better on the bike, my day would have been perfect, but racing is part of life and life isn't always perfect….so deal with it and get over it. How fun would racing be anyway if every race was perfect!

Starting in the Elite Age Group category was stressful. Add a few (the biggest start group) 25 – 29 year old testosterone driven men = nerve-wrecking. So how do you calm your nerves? Imagine them naked – Shame - just kidding. J

After a few punches we spread out quickly. I felt good and had a pretty decent swim. I was in 12^th (in age cat) position out of the water which is pretty good for me.

I don’t have a lot to say about the 90 km bike except that it wasn't my day for a good bike leg. But even though I had a shitty bike leg I managed to gain a few position and came off the bike in 7^th (in age cat) position.

I felt like my race was over and the first 2k’s on the run was really hard; I just wanted to pull out of the race. After a few harsh words to myself I managed to pull myself back, gained another 2 positions and finished feeling strong.

Quitters never win and winners never quit. 

My Goals:                                                            My Results:

Top 5 in age category                                          5^th in age category

Sub 5:30                                                             5:33 – happy with that.

Improve on previous results                                 Sure did.

To have a perfect day                                         Was pretty damn close.

To have fun                                                        Mission accomplished.

Huge Thanks to Linebreak, GU, Virgin Active and Xterra Wetsuits. 

Also, Neil from Dinamic Coaching, it wasn't possible without you. 

New Event: Xtri Off Road Triathlon

Birthday Parties, Baby showers, Year End Functions...it seems like this is the order of every weekend. It's been a long year and you need time to relax......you need a weekend away! 

Get the kids, family member and friends together, pack your camping gear and come to Robertson on the 16^th and 17^th of November for a great weekend of fun and games!

Come check out the new event in Robertson: http://xtri.co.za/

Herewith the details of the event:

Where: Langeberg Region - Robertson

When: Sat 16 – Sun 17 November

DIFFERENT OPTIONS DURING THE EVENT:

SATURDAY:

XTriLite: (Half Distances) 800m swim, 15km MTB cycle, 6km trail run.

Swimming: 200m | 800m | 1.5km | 3km | 5km

MTB: 27km | 15km

Trail Run: 12km | 6km

Various family relays. Swim across the river and back, cycle 3km, and then a 1km run.

SUNDAY:

XTriUltra: 1.5km swim, 27km MTB cycle, 12km trail run.

• This event can only be done on an individual basis.
  

START TIMES

Friday 15.11.2013

ERPP (Excelsior Registration Pasta Party) 17:30-21:30. Registration and Goody bag collection. R39,-

Saturday 16.11.2013.

09:00 Xtri-Lite. Individual R425,-

09:00 Xtri-Lite Corporate relay R985,-(Fundraiser)

10:45 12km Trail Run R145,-

10:55 6km Trail Run R95,-

11:3 27km MTB R185,-

11:40 15km MTB R125,-

14:00 200 meter swim R20,-

14:20 800 meter swim R50,-

15:00 1.5/3.0/5.0km swims R145,-/R195,-/R245,-

16:30 Prize giving and lucky draws for the day’s events.

15:15 Family fun relay. Swim across the river and back, cycle 3km and 1km run R125,- (Three participants-any ages)

17:30-20:30ERPP again. Registration option for Sunday Xtri-Ultra. Anyone can join. R39,- plate of pasta and bottle of Excelsior wine (R45,-value just for the wine)

Sunday 17.11.2013

09:00 Xtri-Ultra R590,-

Slanghoek Triathon

Early Sunday morning we hit the road to Slanghoek, just outside Worcester. It was a perfect hot morning and I knew it was going to be a hot day.

I went with no expectation. Yes you always hope to do well but I had no idea how this one was going to play out. Since I'm back from London and France, I was struggling to get going again and my motivation was a bit on the low side.

My plan was to go out, give it my all and whatever happens, happens. If I do well, it will give me the motivation I am looking for. If it goes pear shape, hopefully it will give the motivation I need to get my ass going again. So all I wanted from this race was to get my motivation back.

The swim (1300m) was a 2 lap course. GO HARD was the only words I had in my head. I entered T1 in 7^th position. The bike course was a out-and-back 42km loop with a few rolling hills. I passed 3 girls in the first 2km and I knew I was in 4^th position. I was not sure how far ahead 3^rd was so I kept pushing the pace. At the turn around point 3^rd place wasn't too far ahead and I caught her on the way back. “Right, in 3^rd place...let’s keep it this way!”

Thanks Chris Hitchcock for the photo!

The sun was brutal by now. The run course was 10km of off road running with no shade. I knew this was where I had to concentrate and not lose focus. Every time my body wants to slow down, I push harder. Onto the dam wall and I had only 1km to go, I can hear the finish line, I can see the finish line and I give it a last push...

3^rd over the line, a result I never expected for this race, I was SUPER happy!

I achieved what I wanted...a good race, but most importantly my motivation is restored!!

Thanks to everyone for all the support!

Thanks to GU, Virgin Active, Linebreak Compression and Xterra Wetsuits. 

Thanks Riaan for your all your support...

Thanks Neil! “I am a Muppet...” 

Virgin Active Ambassador

After a great year with a great company such as Virgin Active, I am very proud and happy to be part of the group for another year as my Official Health and Wellness Partner.

Thank you for your Support during the year. Looking forward to another great
Happily Ever Active year.
 

http://www.virginactive.co.za/

ITU World Champs (London) and Ironman70.3 Pays D'Aix (France)

My ITU World Champs in London and Ironman 70.3 Pays D’Aix in France experience were amazing, motivating and unforgettable!

We arrived in a rainy London on Wednesday 11 September. Registration, Race briefing, team meeting and opening ceremony all done so I had plenty on time to settle in and rest.

We had to rack our bikes the Saturday so I went down to the venue, took a quick spin on the bike and did a quick run (in my awesome Linebreak compression kit) to loosen the legs.

It was an early and cold start to race day. The swim was shortened from 1.5km to 750m due to the cold weather. I was really keen to see how my swim improved so I was not too happy about it!

Walking onto the pontoon was nerve wrecking but also an unforgettable experience.  The swim was very fast from the start with no time to get into a comfortable rhythm.

The bike route was 2 x 20km laps. It was a flattish but very technical course with lots of twist, turns and speed bumps.  I lost my water bottle on the first speed bump but it didn’t bother me too much, I knew I had enough GU’s to keep me going. I felt really good on the bike. My goal was to ride 1h10min and I did the 40k’s in 1h09 so I was very happy.

The run was 3 x 3.3km laps.  I struggled to get on pace on the first lap but on the 2^nd lap I found my rhythm and started running negative splits. The support along the route was unbelievable.

 I finished in 45^th position in a time of 2h12min.

Off to France for a week’s holiday and then Ironman70.3 Pays D’Aix (France).

After a week of touring through France, riding up Alp D’Huez , sun and amazing beaches,  Half Ironman was the last thing on my mind and I started hating myself for entering.  I dragged my lazy body to registration and racked my bike.

Race morning was beautiful but standing at the start, I knew I was so unprepared for the 90km bike and especially the 21km run but I was just going to enjoy this race.

The swim was 1.9km in the crystal clear waters of Lac de Peyrolles. I felt surprisingly good halfway and started pushing the pace.  Exiting the water in 7^th place in a time of 31min, I was very surprised and happy of course.

The bike course was a very hard 90km with lots of steep and long climbs. I knew I had to pace myself…it’s a bit different to a 40km Olympic distance race. I was feeling so positive after my awesome swim that the wind that picked up didn’t even bother me. I reached the halfway mark in which seemed like 30min instead of 1h30. At the 70km mark we hit a 4km climb…it was so steep, I kept on checking for another gear. But it was the best feeling riding past some guys walking up the hill. I finished the 90km bike in 8^th position in a time of 2h58.

 The 21km run was 4 laps which I thought was going to be flat…O man I was wrong. I felt great the 1^st 2 laps and enjoyed the sun, heat and atmosphere. The 3^rd lap was hard but I managed to crawl through it.

Lap 4, the last lap, yeah!! I put the last bit of energy into it. It is amazing how the atmosphere and support of the crowd can carry you if you have nothing left.

I finished in 11^th position in a time of 5h34. But this was a race that position and time did not matter to me. I enjoyed every minute of this race…the easy and the hard times. The route, the vibe and the support was unbelievable. I wish I can go back every year to do this race.

This race motivated me so much and I know what to work on…so onwards and upwards!!!

Thanks to GU, Linebreak, Virgin Active and Xterra Wetsuits for your support on this unforgettable journey.

A BIG thanks to Albert from New Balance Multisport club for getting my running back on track and to Neil from Dinamic Coaching for improving my swim and bike and also for keeping me calm in London, Jakes for my super fast ZIPP wheels, (you might not get them back), Anneline as my training partner and then to all my supporters - thanks again!

Road2London

So the day has finally arrived that I am packed and ready to leave for London. I am sitting on the airport feeling very excited but also very emotional. I know my dad would be packed and ready to leave with me, I know he is watching me and he is very proud man.

As I’m standing in the check-in queue, I hear a commotion, when I looked around; my family was standing there with South African flags. They all came to say goodbye. Of course the tears rolled uncontrollably. Thank you for always supporting me and making me feel special. I love you all so much.

 After getting all the emotion out, I walked on the plane feeling super excited and proud.

A few months ago I joined Neil from Dinamic Coaching to get some structured training with my swim and bike. I asked Albert from New Balance Multisport Club to help me with my running. All I can say is; I never trained as hard as I did the last 6 month but I also never felt so good.  Thank you to both of you for believing in me and supporting me the way you do. I would surely not have been able to do it without you.  I will give it my all and do my best to make you proud.

I have put in the hours and done all the hard work. Now it is time to enjoy the fun and games.

I have never felt so ready and excited to race; all I can pray for is a perfect day and that it all comes together on race day. 

Thanks to my sponsors:

GU for keeping fueled and feeling GUd

Virgin Active for making the winter training so much easier

Linebreak for keeping me recovered and protected for better performance

Xterra Wetsuits for my super fast Vendetta Wetsuit.

Hi-Tec Sugar Hill SoftShell Jacket review.

I was lucky enough to receive a Hi-Tec Sugar Hill Softshell Jacket to review.

The Sugar Hill SoftShell Jacket is thin and light (215g) but yet it keeps you warm.  

The material is soft and has a 4 way stretch which makes it flexible and very comfortable.

 It really allows you to move freely while regulating body temperature, perfect for doing a run or going to the gym.

The Sugar Hill Jacket has a stylish trim so it can also be worn as a casual jacket on a night out.

It’s a good quality jacket for a nice price and to top it all, I love the colour!