Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Challenge Roth

Challenge Roth was two weeks ago now and I am enjoying training in beautiful Germany. This year I was lucky enough to be staying with my homestay again from last year - the Baums family. Being able to stay with them and have their support during race week and beyond makes training and racing so much easier. My mum also came over this year which was great, although I think she spent most of race day perving at some Spanish boys with my host mum Marion rather than watching the race! My host dad Thomas also took part this year in a relay team as the swimmer which was a huge accomplishment as he only learnt to swim at the end of last year. Race week I was feeling pretty good, getting my sessions done and organised for race day. When I woke up on race day I wasn't feeling 100% but put it down to nerves and got on with getting ready for the day.  Or maybe it was because of the pre race music they played.  One of the songs was the one they play at the start of the Titanic movie as they are all about to board the ship!  Felt as though we were all walking to our doom :)



The swim would have to be the best part of the day for me. My 2XU wetsuit and I must of been on the same page as we certainly got the job done with me having my fastest swim ever - 54mins! I didn't know this until after the race but when i looked at the time a few kms into the bike I knew it must of been speedy (by my standards).


On to the bike I settled in to my work. I past a few pro girls and a few past me with in the first 90mins. I tried to stay with them but found I was getting dropped on the decents, definitely not my speciality! After around 40km I started to notice my back was getting sore. This is not uncommon when you are in the aero position for a long time but usually I notice it at around 140km not 40km so I knew I was in for a long day. Trying to put it out of my mind, I continued on making sure I was drinking and eating enough as in the past I have let this area of the race down. It is just as important as the 3 swimming, biking and running if not more so. First lap of bike done and i was on track for a 5hr ride. However the second lap I let myself down with my mind wandering, the wind starting to pick up and me not putting in a big enough fight. I think it is really important not to let any negative thoughts in as once they are there they are very hard to get rid of. Lesson learnt for next time. Rolling into transition two was great.


At Challenge Roth someone takes your bike off you and hands you your run bag making it all the more easier to shuffle your way into the tent and prepare for the run. Starting out I had a goal of what pace to run and while it didn't entirely go to plan I can't really complain as it was a blessing just not to have any stomach issues like I did last year.



So while I didn't hit the time I was aiming for i managed to take 45mins off last years time in tougher conditions, crossing the line in 9.41.06 with a PB overall as well as in all 3 disciplines. I have lots of positives to take away from the race and lessons learnt for next time. I think with every iron distance race you do you can take something valuable away. I can see big improvements, I just have to be patient.

Something else to mention is the spectators at Challenge Roth, they are absolutely amazing like nothing you have ever seen before. No matter how far away from home you are they will get you to that finish line.

A big thanks to everyone for they support. Huge thanks to Glen for letting me take his precious bike overseas as with out it, it would of been a very long run! :) As always Felix and his team did a great job of running the event. Also a huge congratulations to all the New Zealanders that competed. There were a lot of us out there and it was great to see while racing and well done to Rachel and James for taking out top honours.