After a two week break from training extended by another week with being crook i am really looking forward to getting stuck in summer racing in New Zealand.
First just a brief review of my race at Challenge Weymouth. After Ironman Copenhagen my plans changed from flying straight home to adding one more race to the trip so off to the UK i went. I had a blast in London for a week with my great mate Sara and then went 10days staying in Portland getting ready for the race.
Race day really didn't plan out as i hoped it would. I was feeling great and Copenhagen seemed nothing but a distant memory. I definitely felt like the 3weeks between them was enough. But in the end i struggled all day with a sore lower back finishing in 5th place in a race i thought i could of been more competitive.
Race morning was very windy with the sea looking very rough causing the swim to be shortened to a 1900m 2lap course. I am pretty sure i like many others would of been out there for a lot further than that as i ended up washed up down shore both laps! It was an amusing swim though. On to the bike i was feeling great and got up to speed catching a couple of girls very early on in the first couple of kms. Once i hit only 10km though i suddenly started getting a really sore lower back. I couple of times i even got off the bike to try and stretch it but no matter what i did it wasn't going away. It then started radiated down my legs and i felt as though i had no power at all. I spent most of the ride feeling sorry for myself that i couldn't hammer the bike like i had been looking forward to. Especially on the hilly course. I groveled my way around, many times wanting to pull out but somehow got myself to transition 2.
The run wasn't any better which i was pretty sad about as i haven't yet been able to put my legs together on the run. The pain was getting so bad that when i had to make a toilet stop i was pretty much lying down in the port-a-loo and thought i was going to have to kick the door open to ask for a hand back up! There was nothing i could do but have a chuckle and get to the finish line.
Well done to the girls on the podium. They deserved to be there. Not much more else to say about the race other than:
If you are going to race pro don't get one of your supporters to ride around the bike course with you. It was surely noted by more than just me and its such bad form aka cheating! I would say that probably applies to everyone no matter what category you enter in.
A massive thank you to Patrick and Rachel for hosting me in Portland. Was a great wee place to set up for a few days training and get ready for the race.
A few weeks now to get back in to the swing of things and get ready for the next race.
Thanks to
CYCLEWORLD DUNEDIN
KINETIC HEALTH
SHOE CLINIC DUNEDIN
VO2COACH
Aloe Up Sun and Skincare
Nathan Performance Gear
For your continued support.
Check these guys out. They really know their stuff!
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Ironman Copenhagen
After two more Olympic Distance hit outs (Erlanger and Mainfranken) in Germany placing 2nd in both i was definitely ready for something a bit longer. Two weeks to freshen up, head to Copenhagen and race an ironman. Its always sad leaving Germany as its such a great place for training, great people and usually great weather :)
In Copenhagen i was lucky enough to have Jan as my home stay and also help from Uffe (last years home stay) which made getting to all the necessary things during race week easy and stress free. Also great support crew on race day.
On to the race.
The swim was amazingly good for me! I made a conscious effort right from the start to try and swim as fast as i could and hold on as long as i could to avoid swimming alone. It worked and i exited the water in 54mins. Although i still managed to swim off course again like last year although this time because i was following the others in front! Second out of the water with Daniela Ryf leaving us for dust.
On to the bike with Sophie Goos, i tried to keep her in sight and it worked for around 70km, even taking the lead at one stage but my technical skills in the rolling suburbs with all the corners was rubbish and i lost touch. Was definitely a very windy bike ride with no real tail wind break for very long but i was enjoying it none the less. Apart from a nagging feeling that my brakes were ever so slightly rubbing every time my wheel turned! Which was a lot! Definitely miss not having my Cycle World Dunedin guys here to keep my S Works Shiv in tip top shape. Bike and wheel got a bit of a knock on the flight over and was not playing nice. Second and final loop of the bike i was really starting to feel the struggle in the legs…maybe the wheel or maybe the fact i was having a shocker nutrition wise and had ran out of drink twice with over 30mins each time no fluid! Rookie mistakes or blonde mistakes, take your pick :)
Was a lonely ride other than passing a few people on their first lap and it was pretty hard to tell where the other pro women were. In the last 10k i nearly had a big crash with a few road barriers blowing over and when i quickly moved to avoid them a lady on a MTB came at me from one direction while a car from the other! A big back wheel fish tail, a lot of swearing and me somehow staying upright i was on my way to T2. I was really looking forward to the marathon part for once in my life but my legs had a whole different idea of what was going to happen!
As soon as i took off on the run in 3rd place, i could tell my legs were not going to do what i know they are now capable of these days. They were so heavy and cramping from my butt to my calf! I kept thinking any minute i was going to fall over. About 6km in to the run i could see 4th place Mareen Hufe wasn't too far behind and i really needed the toilet. It was far too early in the marathon for the non toilet option so i made a pit stop and by the time i was out she had moved in to 3rd. The second half of the marathon was very slow for me although i kept a consistent pace. It was now all about just getting my aching body to the finish line and not losing any more places. It wasn't my fastest time but am happy with a PB in the swim and bike.
Congrats to everyone that raced. It was a windy, wet, sunny day!
Meant to be flying back to New Zealand today but coach Keegan has thrown a spanner in the works and instead i have changed my flights to London! Couple of weeks to hang out with my good buddy and fellow Iron distance racer Sara and then on to Challenge Weymouth for another Iron distance event. Nothing like spicing things up.
In Copenhagen i was lucky enough to have Jan as my home stay and also help from Uffe (last years home stay) which made getting to all the necessary things during race week easy and stress free. Also great support crew on race day.
On to the race.
The swim was amazingly good for me! I made a conscious effort right from the start to try and swim as fast as i could and hold on as long as i could to avoid swimming alone. It worked and i exited the water in 54mins. Although i still managed to swim off course again like last year although this time because i was following the others in front! Second out of the water with Daniela Ryf leaving us for dust.
photo: Martin Paldan
On to the bike with Sophie Goos, i tried to keep her in sight and it worked for around 70km, even taking the lead at one stage but my technical skills in the rolling suburbs with all the corners was rubbish and i lost touch. Was definitely a very windy bike ride with no real tail wind break for very long but i was enjoying it none the less. Apart from a nagging feeling that my brakes were ever so slightly rubbing every time my wheel turned! Which was a lot! Definitely miss not having my Cycle World Dunedin guys here to keep my S Works Shiv in tip top shape. Bike and wheel got a bit of a knock on the flight over and was not playing nice. Second and final loop of the bike i was really starting to feel the struggle in the legs…maybe the wheel or maybe the fact i was having a shocker nutrition wise and had ran out of drink twice with over 30mins each time no fluid! Rookie mistakes or blonde mistakes, take your pick :)
photo: Martin Paldan
Was a lonely ride other than passing a few people on their first lap and it was pretty hard to tell where the other pro women were. In the last 10k i nearly had a big crash with a few road barriers blowing over and when i quickly moved to avoid them a lady on a MTB came at me from one direction while a car from the other! A big back wheel fish tail, a lot of swearing and me somehow staying upright i was on my way to T2. I was really looking forward to the marathon part for once in my life but my legs had a whole different idea of what was going to happen!
As soon as i took off on the run in 3rd place, i could tell my legs were not going to do what i know they are now capable of these days. They were so heavy and cramping from my butt to my calf! I kept thinking any minute i was going to fall over. About 6km in to the run i could see 4th place Mareen Hufe wasn't too far behind and i really needed the toilet. It was far too early in the marathon for the non toilet option so i made a pit stop and by the time i was out she had moved in to 3rd. The second half of the marathon was very slow for me although i kept a consistent pace. It was now all about just getting my aching body to the finish line and not losing any more places. It wasn't my fastest time but am happy with a PB in the swim and bike.
Congrats to everyone that raced. It was a windy, wet, sunny day!
Meant to be flying back to New Zealand today but coach Keegan has thrown a spanner in the works and instead i have changed my flights to London! Couple of weeks to hang out with my good buddy and fellow Iron distance racer Sara and then on to Challenge Weymouth for another Iron distance event. Nothing like spicing things up.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Germanys a hoot!
Time certainly flys when you are having fun
and enjoying great weather. Ive already
been here for 2.5weeks, having competed in an Olympic Distance and Classic
Distance triathlon, been to a world cup final soccer party….admittedly falling asleep
and missing the end of the game, and watched the best Iron distance
race in the world – Challenge Roth.
Making the long journey in the motor home
back to Rednitzhembach (7hrs) today after the
weekends race I thought I would put the fingers to the keyboard and look back
at the last couple of races.
First up was the Karlsfelder OD Triathlon
with a longer bike thrown in for fun.
This went pretty well despite feeling a tad knackered from the long haul
flights over from New Zealand only a couple of days earlier. I came away with 2nd place and was
happy enough with this. The girl that
ran past me around half way through the run was on a mission and I barely had time to think as
she whipped by. Very impressive stuff!
I have really been trying to work on my run
over the last couple of months and I can definitely feel some improvements
happening so looking forward to testing the legs out over the longer Iron
distance again in a few weeks.
Next up was the big journey to Waren for
the Muritz Classic Distance Triathlon which is a
2km/80km/20km. I didn’t realize it was
so far away when entering but it was worth the trip. A comfy ride in the Baum Family’s new motor
home and a day of relaxing on the lake after the race made it a great
weekend. The race started at 12pm which
was a new experience for me. Getting a sleep in was
great but feeling a little sluggish sitting around all morning waiting to get
going was not so great.
The swim started off with a beach start
with the men and women together. It was
really shallow and reminded me of Challenge Wanaka a couple of years back. My hopeless duck dives ended up with me eating sand and being trampled from
behind. That aside I just seemed to have
an absolute shocker in water. We had 2x
1km laps with a wee beach run in between.
After the first lap I got a 15min call, 2nd girl. Hmm shit I better swim faster this next lap!
Not able to see anyone in front I knew the lead girl was already miles
away. Second lap done and a 33min call,
4mins down on lead girl SHIT I thought, should I just stop now! German camera men were yelling
“where you been, where you been?!” was rather embarrassing!
On to the bike and in a bit of a panic I
made a plan to go absolutely as hard as I could until I found the
lead girl. This may not of been the best
idea, as my legs were already feeling fried but I figured today was a good day to try the “go until you blow” theory.
Around 35km I caught her and was really paying for it. The wind was getting really strong and the
sun was melting me.
I survived until the end of the
bike…just...and managed to get a gap on the second girl! Right just a run to go then I
can stand still J Going round and round in my head was don’t do your usual fade on
the run and look like a staple! Am sick of being the girl who gets to the run and
cant hold it together. The run was super hot and I felt as though I was running
scared the whole time looking behind me which is stupid because one day im
definitely going to fall over or run in to something doing that. Some things never change though I guess as I always
use to get a bollocking for looking out of the rowing boat at the other crews. I managed to distance myself a little from
the girls behind at every 5km turn around.
Every aid station I was grabbing as many cups of coke and
water as i could. Even my arms and legs were
getting a load of coke. Figured it couldn’t hurt J
I was really happy to come away with 1st place as I had been really tired heading in to this race but the body still
managed to stay strong and do what was needed even though I thought I could
collapse at any minute. PAIN IS
DEFINITELY ONLY TEMPORARY. Now back to
some good training, 2 Olympic distance races to go and then the biggy Ironman Copenhagen in 4weeks.
Big thanks to the Baums for taking me in to
their home for the 4th year and being great supporters at the races.
Keegan at Vo2coaching for always being
a great support and pushing my body to what I sometimes don’t believe it can
Cycleworld for their help with Specialized
products – aero is everything!
Casey at Kinetic Health for getting my body
ready for Germany
Robbie and Stacey at Shoe Clinic Dunedin –
finally think my feet are behaving in these shoes and Aloe Up Sun and Skin Care and Nathan Performance Gear for their great products
5 marathons in 5 weeks ending it in style at the Rustic Run!
Firstly a huge thank you to Terry Davis, Ed
Stevens and all their team for putting together this amazing event. They had so many different runs taking place
at the same time giving plenty of options for everyone. Everyone I know is always asking for great
local events that are affordable to attend, have a good social aspect and great
scenery. The Wild Earth Ascent and
Rustic Run answered this. I really hope
to see this event supported by a lot more local people next year. I know it sure beats heading out for a lonely
long run.
A big goal of mine this year is to work on
my running for my Ironman racing. Hence
running 42k+ each weekend for the past few weeks. When I heard about this race I wanted to be
on that start line. While it may seem
crazy to go out and run this distance every weekend (although im guessing not
to the people that took part in one of these events) having finally beaten my
injury ive had for over 12months I couldn’t think of anything better.
On to the race… Packing up the car and heading to central for
the weekend is always a great change. The weather in Dunedin had been so cold and
damp and I couldn’t wait to get out of there!
Well I forgot that I mostly head to central in the summer and it was
actually pretty freezing up there but was so still, with not a breath of
wind. Race morning came like any other
and I was excited about the fact I was only running a marathon and didn’t have
a whole ironman nor the 3.30am wake up call.
Out to the location at the Gold Miners
Trails in the pitch black with the head torch on and it was time to go. I was suddenly thinking what have I got
myself in to? As I am far from a mountain goat with my running ability and was
sure I was going to fall over a million times.
Luckily I had only signed up for the Rustic Run and not the Wild Earth
Ascent J (maybe next year). My
marathon race consisted of 8x 5 and a bit km loops. They were a great change from the roads I am
use to. Made up of wider trails, rocky
parts, single tracks, grass and some good wee hills up and down, all making the
time go by. There was also the option of
a half marathon around the loops or straight up the mountain!
As I got around each lap the hills got
bigger and the legs were turning to jelly but there was always a group of
friendly spectators to send you on your next lap and Glen there to hand me my
goodies. The great thing about this
event is you can set up your own aid station and drink and eat what you like J Proud to say I didn’t fall over once, only a few close calls and
actually really enjoyed all those laps, coming away with the win. Definitely a must do race to put on your
calendar for next June. Hope to see you
all there. Big ups to my sponsors
Kinetic Health, Shoe Clinic Dunedin, Nathan Performance Gear, Aloe Up and Cycle
World Dunedin who all keep me in this sport.
Happy running
Tams
Monday, May 19, 2014
2weeks post Ironman Australia AND welcome to my new sponsor KINETIC HEALTH
Since my last post i realised i have done 3 triathlons so thought it was time for a look back at what i have done!
First up was Challenge Batemans Bay in the middle of March. It was a whirlwind few days. First Glen and i set off on a few flights to Sydney then jumped in a car and drove the 3+hours to Batemans Bay. Arriving in the dark after a long day of travel we set off for a wee jog. Nice and warm, super :) I enjoyed this race. It had a good tough bike course with lots of climbs. I fell backwards on the run though loosing 3 or 4 places and finished with 8th place. Not a great result but a good training day. Back in the car straight after the race to Sydney then flew home first thing the next morning. Very tiring
Next up the following weekend was the Otago Triathlon Standard Distance Championships. I was looking forward to this race. Although not a huge amount of competitors it is a good short hard hit out. I came away with the win and 3rd across the line.
The next weekend it was off to Wanaka for the Southern Lakes Half Marathon. I knew this was going to be a challenge as my run training was limited going in with a niggly calf but i hadnt ran a half marathon in a long time so wanted to see where i was at. Finished 2nd with a 1.25. 6minutes off my PB but good to have a solid run.
Now on to Ironman Australia. I had competed in this event last year but pulled out half way through the run with a knee injury so i really wanted to go back and have a better crack. Glen and i headed over a good few days before the event to get ourselves ready. I knew i was a little underdone training wise with injuries having bothered me off and on over the past year, but thanks to working with Casey from Kinetic Health for the past couple of weeks my body was feeling injury free. This made me very excited to race. There hadnt been many days in the past year that i would set out training and not feel strain coming from my calf or knee.
My swim felt pretty good. Coming out in 55mins was great considering my lack of consistent swim training. On to the bike i was feeling pretty good and by 45km had worked my way up in to 3rd position. I was able to hold this until around 135km when Mel Burke from NZ came flying past me. I was starting to tire in the wind. Everyone said they felt the bike course was really windy and hard but i definitely think it was still easier than winds we have seen at Challenge Wanaka. That race prepares you for anything! The last 20k of the bike i found my energy again and was actually enjoying the climbs. Its the first time i havent been dying to get off my bike and would of minded another 50k. Coming in to T2 i was surprised to find out that i was only 30secs behind Mel. I was excited about the marathon ahead, the legs were feeling great and i knew all i had to do was have a solid run and i could finish in the top 5. That was until around 5km in to the run when i started to feel pain in my feet like i have never felt before! The soles of my feet felt like knives were going through them and no matter what i tried to do the pain wouldnt go away. I tipped water on them, loosened the laces, stopped and stretched and tried to run on different parts of my feet. Nothing was working and it was just getting worse. As i started to walk and watch people pass me there wasnt a lot i could do. Then and there i made the decision that i was going to finish somehow so i spent the second half of the marathon walk/jogging. Everyone out on the course was great. There was no way i could just walk off the course when all these other people were racing and getting to the finish. I saw Glen was also having a bad marathon and was also on the walk/jog stage. We both got to the finish line and it was the best feeling. There was going to be no regrets the next day. I did what i could. In the back of my mind i was still excited about these non injured new legs i had and knew one day they were going to run like they should.
A couple of days of R&R and then back to NZ. Big thanks to the Hurlston family for putting Glen and i up in Port Macquarie. Also my sponsors Cycle World, Shoe Clinic Dunedin, Aloe Up Sun and Skin Care, Nathan Performance Gear and coach Keegan Williams.
AND
A huge welcome aboard to Kinetic Health, who are going to be taking care of my injury prevention and treatment. Casey and her team really know what they are talking about with sporting injuries and keeping the body in tip top condition. The results i have seen already with Active Release Therapy has been amazing. If you want to check out more about what is on offer at Kinetic Health check out their website
http://kinetichealth.co.nz
First up was Challenge Batemans Bay in the middle of March. It was a whirlwind few days. First Glen and i set off on a few flights to Sydney then jumped in a car and drove the 3+hours to Batemans Bay. Arriving in the dark after a long day of travel we set off for a wee jog. Nice and warm, super :) I enjoyed this race. It had a good tough bike course with lots of climbs. I fell backwards on the run though loosing 3 or 4 places and finished with 8th place. Not a great result but a good training day. Back in the car straight after the race to Sydney then flew home first thing the next morning. Very tiring
Next up the following weekend was the Otago Triathlon Standard Distance Championships. I was looking forward to this race. Although not a huge amount of competitors it is a good short hard hit out. I came away with the win and 3rd across the line.
The next weekend it was off to Wanaka for the Southern Lakes Half Marathon. I knew this was going to be a challenge as my run training was limited going in with a niggly calf but i hadnt ran a half marathon in a long time so wanted to see where i was at. Finished 2nd with a 1.25. 6minutes off my PB but good to have a solid run.
Now on to Ironman Australia. I had competed in this event last year but pulled out half way through the run with a knee injury so i really wanted to go back and have a better crack. Glen and i headed over a good few days before the event to get ourselves ready. I knew i was a little underdone training wise with injuries having bothered me off and on over the past year, but thanks to working with Casey from Kinetic Health for the past couple of weeks my body was feeling injury free. This made me very excited to race. There hadnt been many days in the past year that i would set out training and not feel strain coming from my calf or knee.
My swim felt pretty good. Coming out in 55mins was great considering my lack of consistent swim training. On to the bike i was feeling pretty good and by 45km had worked my way up in to 3rd position. I was able to hold this until around 135km when Mel Burke from NZ came flying past me. I was starting to tire in the wind. Everyone said they felt the bike course was really windy and hard but i definitely think it was still easier than winds we have seen at Challenge Wanaka. That race prepares you for anything! The last 20k of the bike i found my energy again and was actually enjoying the climbs. Its the first time i havent been dying to get off my bike and would of minded another 50k. Coming in to T2 i was surprised to find out that i was only 30secs behind Mel. I was excited about the marathon ahead, the legs were feeling great and i knew all i had to do was have a solid run and i could finish in the top 5. That was until around 5km in to the run when i started to feel pain in my feet like i have never felt before! The soles of my feet felt like knives were going through them and no matter what i tried to do the pain wouldnt go away. I tipped water on them, loosened the laces, stopped and stretched and tried to run on different parts of my feet. Nothing was working and it was just getting worse. As i started to walk and watch people pass me there wasnt a lot i could do. Then and there i made the decision that i was going to finish somehow so i spent the second half of the marathon walk/jogging. Everyone out on the course was great. There was no way i could just walk off the course when all these other people were racing and getting to the finish. I saw Glen was also having a bad marathon and was also on the walk/jog stage. We both got to the finish line and it was the best feeling. There was going to be no regrets the next day. I did what i could. In the back of my mind i was still excited about these non injured new legs i had and knew one day they were going to run like they should.
A couple of days of R&R and then back to NZ. Big thanks to the Hurlston family for putting Glen and i up in Port Macquarie. Also my sponsors Cycle World, Shoe Clinic Dunedin, Aloe Up Sun and Skin Care, Nathan Performance Gear and coach Keegan Williams.
AND
A huge welcome aboard to Kinetic Health, who are going to be taking care of my injury prevention and treatment. Casey and her team really know what they are talking about with sporting injuries and keeping the body in tip top condition. The results i have seen already with Active Release Therapy has been amazing. If you want to check out more about what is on offer at Kinetic Health check out their website
http://kinetichealth.co.nz
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Ambassador for Aloe Up Sun and Skin Care
I am really excited to be coming on board with Aloe Up Sun and Skin Care.
They have such a huge range of products ranging from Sunscreens and Skincare to Sanitizers and Lip Care. A huge advantage with their products is that they are 35% aloe based and with the sunscreens being non greasy and water resistant so you are not going to have it running in to your eyes. I also love that none of their products contain parabens or any other nasty chemicals!
If you want to try some of their products, click on the Aloe Up logo to have a look at their website aloeup.co.nz. You can grab yourself a 10% discount by using the code tamsyn10
They have such a huge range of products ranging from Sunscreens and Skincare to Sanitizers and Lip Care. A huge advantage with their products is that they are 35% aloe based and with the sunscreens being non greasy and water resistant so you are not going to have it running in to your eyes. I also love that none of their products contain parabens or any other nasty chemicals!
If you want to try some of their products, click on the Aloe Up logo to have a look at their website aloeup.co.nz. You can grab yourself a 10% discount by using the code tamsyn10
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
2014 - kicking it off with 4th at Challenge Wanaka and exciting new sponsors
Firstly i would like to announce my new sponsors on board for 2014. I am really excited to be working with these brands. For my running hydration i will be using Nathan Performance Gear. They offer such a wide variety of vests and run belts for both training and racing. I have already tested out some of their products and find them excellent. Comfort being a huge factor. There is nothing worse than running along with a bottle or bladder bouncing up and down on your back. Nathan Performance Gear is nice and snug on the body and you barely feel it is even there.
My other new sponsor is Under Armour for running shoes and apparel in conjunction with Shoe Clinic Dunedin. I already wear Under Armour clothing and find their causal and sporting range to be super comfortable and colorful. There are so many options. I will start running in their shoes next month and can not wait. They have spent a lot of time perfecting their running shoe range and i will be in the Under Armour Speedform RC.
If you are interested in any of the products sold by these two brands feel free to contact me about them. Also pop in and have a chat to Sorrelle at Shoe Clinic Dunedin as she sells products from both of these fab brands.
After a year of highs and lows training and racing i really wanted to just enjoy the sport again heading into 2014. Two weeks before Challenge Wanaka i was seriously doubting whether i would be racing or not. I had been struggling off and on the past year with calf and knee problems and knew that even if the body felt injury free in time, the fitness would be miles behind with injuries getting in the way of training. However that being said I'm not the worlds best spectator and if i wasn't up there racing i would have to still be there supporting my friends. Something i would much rather do racing alongside them racing. So with a good kick up the backside from coach Keegan believing i would get through it and some last minute work on my leg from Geoff Williamson while on holiday the decision was made. I would race and give it my all! Challenge Wanaka is my favorite race and missing it was not an option!
I knew my build up wasn't my best but having done the race 3 times before i knew the course and the great crowd support was going to get me through the day.
Waking up on race morning it was music to the ears not to hear the usual wind bashing things around outside. Yay finally a beautiful still Wanaka race day. Then walking outside i realised yes there was no wind but it was freezing! I mean FREEZING. 3degrees! By swim start i think it had warmed up to about 6degrees air temp. But with the water only being 14.1degrees it was going to be a pretty nippy day.
The swim was lonely, swimming by myself the whole way around stuck in no ones land. On the second lap i feel like i mucked around a bit not being able to see through the sun in the last stretch to land. I knew my swim time would not of been too flash. I felt slow. Must not push snooze on my alarm for swim training :)
On to the bike i definitely should of put more clothes on but was thinking the sun is bound to come out like it usually does, but I'm pretty sure i didn't warm up until the second half of the run. On the bike i was alone until around 40km where Candice caught up. Yay some company i thought, well that was only short lived as that girl was on fire and left me in her dust. Very inspiring watching her plough through the field that day to take the win. Alone again until around 80km where i passed Carrie who looked to be having a tough day in chilly New Zealand. Alone again for the rest of the bike. Great ride mentally but think the mind wandered a bit and should of had the hammer down harder.
On to the run i wasn't wearing a watch. Coaches orders but i can see the logic. I was injured, not run fit and had previously had my best run without one anyway. It would just be a distraction and i knew all it would be telling me is i was going slower than i wanted. I was feeling ok running and knew that my buffer to super strong runner Simone was not big enough coming off the bike so i was just trying to enjoy the marathon as best i could. Each time i got to a km marker i smiled and knew i was another step closer to the finish and away from the dreaded DNF memories of last year. Simone passed me around 11km in to the marathon, we said a few words and then it was back to business. With the others having pulled out i knew i just had to get to the finish line. The last 10km was a struggle even at my slower pace due to not a lot of running but i made it. My run was much slower than the pace i thought i was running but on this day it was irrelevant and didn't matter. Yay another Challenge Wanaka done and dusted.
Have to say a huge congrats to the podium place getters Dylan, Richard, Dougal, Candice, Gina and Simone. Looked to be an exciting race for them all. Also well done to my partner Glen for getting another ironman finished after years of back pain injuries, Jase for sticking it out there even with frozen spew on his face and Sara for having the performance of her life and getting a well deserved entry to Challenge Roth. You will absolutely love it.
Thank you to my coach Keegan for getting me to the start line of another Ironman. Im sure im not his easiest athlete to deal with :) Victoria and your crew, thanks again for always making me feel welcome in Wanaka. I will definitely be back again next year.
Big welcome aboard to my new sponsors Nathan Performance Gear and Under Armour and thank you to R and R Sport, PhysioPlus and Shoe Clinic Dunedin for their continued support in helping me achieve my goals. Really looking forward to the year ahead and spending the winter in New Zealand getting tougher again.
Bye for now
Cheers Tams
My other new sponsor is Under Armour for running shoes and apparel in conjunction with Shoe Clinic Dunedin. I already wear Under Armour clothing and find their causal and sporting range to be super comfortable and colorful. There are so many options. I will start running in their shoes next month and can not wait. They have spent a lot of time perfecting their running shoe range and i will be in the Under Armour Speedform RC.
If you are interested in any of the products sold by these two brands feel free to contact me about them. Also pop in and have a chat to Sorrelle at Shoe Clinic Dunedin as she sells products from both of these fab brands.
After a year of highs and lows training and racing i really wanted to just enjoy the sport again heading into 2014. Two weeks before Challenge Wanaka i was seriously doubting whether i would be racing or not. I had been struggling off and on the past year with calf and knee problems and knew that even if the body felt injury free in time, the fitness would be miles behind with injuries getting in the way of training. However that being said I'm not the worlds best spectator and if i wasn't up there racing i would have to still be there supporting my friends. Something i would much rather do racing alongside them racing. So with a good kick up the backside from coach Keegan believing i would get through it and some last minute work on my leg from Geoff Williamson while on holiday the decision was made. I would race and give it my all! Challenge Wanaka is my favorite race and missing it was not an option!
I knew my build up wasn't my best but having done the race 3 times before i knew the course and the great crowd support was going to get me through the day.
Waking up on race morning it was music to the ears not to hear the usual wind bashing things around outside. Yay finally a beautiful still Wanaka race day. Then walking outside i realised yes there was no wind but it was freezing! I mean FREEZING. 3degrees! By swim start i think it had warmed up to about 6degrees air temp. But with the water only being 14.1degrees it was going to be a pretty nippy day.
The swim was lonely, swimming by myself the whole way around stuck in no ones land. On the second lap i feel like i mucked around a bit not being able to see through the sun in the last stretch to land. I knew my swim time would not of been too flash. I felt slow. Must not push snooze on my alarm for swim training :)
(firstoffthebike.com)
On to the bike i definitely should of put more clothes on but was thinking the sun is bound to come out like it usually does, but I'm pretty sure i didn't warm up until the second half of the run. On the bike i was alone until around 40km where Candice caught up. Yay some company i thought, well that was only short lived as that girl was on fire and left me in her dust. Very inspiring watching her plough through the field that day to take the win. Alone again until around 80km where i passed Carrie who looked to be having a tough day in chilly New Zealand. Alone again for the rest of the bike. Great ride mentally but think the mind wandered a bit and should of had the hammer down harder.
(zimbio.com)
(firstoffthebike.com)
Have to say a huge congrats to the podium place getters Dylan, Richard, Dougal, Candice, Gina and Simone. Looked to be an exciting race for them all. Also well done to my partner Glen for getting another ironman finished after years of back pain injuries, Jase for sticking it out there even with frozen spew on his face and Sara for having the performance of her life and getting a well deserved entry to Challenge Roth. You will absolutely love it.
Thank you to my coach Keegan for getting me to the start line of another Ironman. Im sure im not his easiest athlete to deal with :) Victoria and your crew, thanks again for always making me feel welcome in Wanaka. I will definitely be back again next year.
Big welcome aboard to my new sponsors Nathan Performance Gear and Under Armour and thank you to R and R Sport, PhysioPlus and Shoe Clinic Dunedin for their continued support in helping me achieve my goals. Really looking forward to the year ahead and spending the winter in New Zealand getting tougher again.
Bye for now
Cheers Tams
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