Cape Town WTS Race Report

April 30, 2014 gwen jorgensen

On Easter Sunday, Patrick and I flew from Sydney to Cape Town. It was our first time in South Africa. We spent a few days training in Stellenbosch before heading to Cape Town for round two of the World Triathlon Series (WTS). I was excited to race and hungry to improve from my result in Auckland.

We knew the water temperature would be cold in Cape Town; however, I wasn’t expecting to hear 11.6 degrees Celsius (52 Fahrenheit) when they announced the water temperature on race morning. The medical and technical officials decided to reduce the swim from 1500m to 750m because of the cold temperatures. Going into the race, I wanted a full 1500m; however once I heard the temperature of the water, I wasn’t complaining about the reduction of time I’d be in the frigid Ocean. After the 750m swim, we excited the water to complete an eight-lap 40km bike course, followed by a four-lap 10km run course.

The gun went off a little after 3pm local time on Saturday, April 26. Diving into the Ocean was a shock to the system. I don’t remember much of the swim, but I exited the water in about 15th place and transitioned onto the bike. A front pack of about ten got away on the bike and I was in the chase pack when a crash occurred. I managed to avoid the crash, but I was then off the back of the group and riding solo between the chase and the second chase pack. I fought hard to stay in the race as I know the race isn’t over until you cross the finish line. I was caught by the second chase pack and a little over half way through the 40km bike course, our pack merged with the first chase pack forming one large chase group. The front pack of girls worked very hard on the bike, and they came into T2 over two minutes ahead of our group. I struggled to put my shoes on in T2 as my feet were still numb from the cold water. Once I exited T2, I tried to execute a good run and didn’t think about the time gap to the athletes in front of me. My legs felt heavy and slow, but I know feelings don’t have to dictate outcomes.

I didn’t make up much time on the leaders until there was about three kilometers left in the race. By the fourth and final lap, I could see the podium up the road. I had no time to think. I put my head down and pushed as we ran into a headwind. I caught 3rd place and had my sights set on 2nd and 1st, however Jodie and Helen finished strong and I crossed the finish line about 30 seconds back. Finishing 3rd with a podium is great, but I did not complete all three disciplines to perfection. I still have some refining to do and I look forward to a race where I am able to execute in the swim, bike, run, and transitions.

South Africa was a great place to visit. Usually when I travel to a race we don’t have much time to be a tourist; however, we had a few more days to enjoy the city this trip. Patrick and I enjoyed some local food recommendations (thanks, Liezel and Libby): bobotie, raw crocodile, braaivleis, ostrich, springbok, wines, chocolates, and more. We were spoiled when it came to food and I loved everything we ate. We also went on a safari that Gavin and Siobhan recommended. We saw the ‘big five’ (elephant, rhino, leopard, lion, and buffalo) and thoroughly enjoyed the drive to and throughout the safari. I learned a little about the lives of locals, saw many beautiful sights, and overall had a wonderful trip.

I want to give a special thank you to the Specialized crew (Gavin, Bobby, JB, Dylan, and more) for showing us such a good time and for making sure we had everything we needed. Thank you to all my sponsors, fans, family, and training and support crews. I look forward to continuing to refine myself into a complete triathlete and I feel blessed to have so much support throughout my journey. Thank you as well for all the birthday wishes – I am very grateful for another year!

I am now back in Wollongong, Australia, where I will spend the next couple weeks before heading to Yokohama, Japan, for round three of the WTS.

Patrick went a little overboard buying four flavors of ice cream. We enjoyed every single one.

Auckland WTS Race Report 2014

April 7, 2014 gwen jorgensen

Auckland always seems to surprise me. In 2012, when I came second in the Grand Final, I was shocked and wasn’t expecting it. In 2013, I was confused and out of it after getting too cold before the start of the race. This year, I was surprised again. I came to the race excited, nervous, and confident (maybe a bit too confident!).

The first World Triathlon Series race of 2014 started on Sunday, April 6, 2014, in Auckland, NZ. My support crew made sure I had everything I needed. We had a plan in place to stay warm, but we were uncertain if it was enough. Thankfully, the sun was shining and I had my new Mobile Warming jacket to heat me up. I started the race dry and hot and never even thought about being cold.

When the gun went off, we dove in the water for a 2-lap 1500m swim. I had a good start and exited the first lap of the swim in about sixth position. This is where the race began to fall apart. My emotions got the best of me, and I was excited and complacent with my position. Before I knew it, I was in the middle of the swim pack, getting swam on top of and pulled in every direction. The pace was slow, but by the time I realized my mistakes, I wasn’t able to move up in the pack enough.

I got on my bike and didn’t show enough urgency on the eight-lap 40km hilly bike course. I was on the cusp of getting on the front pack, but again, made mistakes and was never in the front pack. Thankfully, a few laps later my ‘get out of jail free’ (Anne Haug) card arrived. A lap or so went by and we were riding comfortably; however, I was in the back of our smaller chase pack when a crash in front of me occurred. It happened quickly and there was nothing I could do. Thankfully the only thing that broke when I fell was my front shifter. I made sure my bike was working and got back to racing. With the hilly course, it didn’t take me long to figure out that I was limited to my little chainring. Anne Haug caught the front group, and our new chase pack lost time every lap. I did what I could, and was thankful no one in our group attacked a downhill when I ran out of gears.

I started the four-lap 10km run over three minutes down from the leaders. At this point, my day was over. I finished as strong as I could, catching only a few from the front group. I ended the day in 12th. I have no one to blame but myself for this result. Coach Jamie had me physically ready, Patrick made sure I had everything I needed race morning, and my supporters made sure I had all the necessary equipment to succeed. I got complacent and it cost me the race. All I can do is learn from it and not let it happen again.

Cape Town, WTS, here I come: April 26th, 2014.

It was great to see some of my training partners have success this weekend. Special shout out to 'Gong Wizards breakthrough performances: Aaron Royle on his first WTS podium, Ryan Bailie on his 5th place finish, and Sarah-Anne Brault (Sarah Anne CAN aka "I Run Track") on her 4th place finish.

Me trying to hammer in my 39. Thanks for the photo, Specialized

Entering T2 and seeing too many bikes already racked. Thanks for the photo, Specialized.

London WTS Grand Final

September 16, 2013 gwen

London felt like a waiting game. After Stockholm, the length of training sessions decreased, while intensity increased. I had more energy and time. I couldn’t believe it was time to pack up everything I’d collected in Vitoria since May. Thankfully Pat was there to help (or maybe force) me to donate a lot of clothes in order to find room in our suitcases. We departed our Vitoria home sad to leave, but excited for London. I arrived in London eager to see team USA. It had been almost a year since I’d seen some of the Junior and U23 girls. They seemed relaxed and confident the night before their race. The junior women couldn’t have started the weekend any better. USA’s Tamara Gorman brought home the W. She has a very bright future; and I’m sure this is the first of many World Championship titles for the talented, sweet, young lady. The next highlight of the weekend was watching my training partner and vegetarian foodie, Charlotte McShane, take home the U23 World Championship title. Charlotte is one of the best training partners. She shows up ready to rock every single workout. Her work ethic and dedication to the sport is unparalleled. The way she trains, and now competes, shows the world that she is one to watch out for! All of my training partners had amazing races, making me even more confident in my ability for Saturday’s race.

THE RACE

We were prepared for the wet and the cold. We practiced what worked to keep me warm, as we refused to have a repeat of Auckland. I want to give a special thanks to USAT for helping me secure pool time at wicked hours to prepare me for the early race start.

I walked on the pontoon nervous, excited, and ready. My fitness was ideal. Since Stockholm, I only felt stronger on the bike, swim, and of course, on the run. I dove in and was able to get on Emma Moffat’s fast feet. I was pulled and yanked around the first buoy, but quickly turned it around and kept focused. I exited the first lap knowing I was in the front group and I felt strong. The beginning of the second lap seemed to slow at first, and then surge around the buoys and towards the end. I was in a bit of fighting, but managed to stay in the hunt, arriving in T2 in the middle of the front pack.

Wetsuit off. Helmet on. Bike mounted. Now, it was time for me to find some good wheels. Non was right there, along with Ashleigh Gentle. There were a lot of strong girls who quickly formed a group of about 20. I was riding in good position, and feeling comfortable on the bike. The rain started to fall and the temperatures began to drop.

Then it all went wrong. I wish I knew what happened, but all I remember is being on the ground. I don’t remember a thing. Someone said I may have stood up, but I watched the replay and it didn’t look that way to me. I don't remember grabbing my brakes. I had the best equipment. My tire pressure was low (70psi). And everything we did prepared me for the best possible outcome; however, I ended up dazed, confused, and in a bit of shock. I remember getting back on my bike and thinking, Ouch, my hands hurt. I looked at the palms of my hands but they weren’t even red. Strange. You must be fine. OK, you know a group is coming, along with the Anne Haug train. Just stay focused. You are still in this!

The next thing I knew two groups had come and gone. I remember some girls yelling words of encouragement, but nothing worked. I had to call it a day.

As I limped off the course, the crowd gave me a standing ovation. I was confused and overwhelmed at the same time. I didn’t feel like I deserved it – I didn’t even finish the race, but I was so appreciative and humbled by the support.

I got to the medical tent and was hysterical. All I wanted was to see Pat and Jamie. Thank you Jono Hall for quickly finding my support crew. The docs kept asking if I was alright and I could barely manage to nod my head. I was nauseous, aching, sore, throbbing, and in a lot of pain. I had a deep wound on my hip (I bled through many bandages and I still can’t walk without pain), and other abrasions on my elbows. I was hurting physically, but the worst hurt was how gutted I was.

At the beginning of the season when Jamie and I talked about what I wanted to accomplish this year, it wasn’t one, two, or three WTS wins, but it was to improve my swim and do well in the overall and at San Diego and London. Here I was in great shape, ready to race the best women in the world, and I still don’t know what happened. It was either bad luck, or an error on my part that in the rain turned into a race-ender.

Congratulations to Non on the win, and Non, Jodie, and Anne in the overall. Those girls are not only amazing athletes, but also inspiring and genuine. I look forward to seeing everyone next year on the circuit.

I can’t thank those around me enough. The support I’ve received from friends, family, and people I don’t even know has been incredible. I want to apologize for not being able to respond to each one of you personally. Please know your words and thoughts have meant the world to me. This sport is too hard to dwell on the bad, and I can’t tell you how excited I am to begin the next step in my target objective of gold in Rio.

I want to give a special thank you to my sponsors for understanding and being accommodating and supportive after the race. Thank you USAT, Heather Novickis, my family, my friends, my fans, and all those who watched in the USA at 2am. I’m grateful I was able to surround myself with those I love and care about after the race instead of being stuck in an ER or something worse. I may have not been able to finish the race, but I still have my health, motivation, and smile. Thank you to the medical staff, to Doctor Andy Gerken for changing my bandages and to Emma Snowsill for her moral support. Jamie, Pat, and (massage therapist) Beata were incredible. I couldn’t have asked for better backing – you guys dealt with me when even I didn’t know how to deal with myself. Also, I want to give a huge thank you to my training partners. I was so happy to be able to say goodbye (for the next three months) to most of you in person; know that you are a huge part of my success. Thank you also for your encouragement, words, friendship, drive, and dedication to this sport.

I am very excited for this fall at home: #eatcation, mountain biking, cyclocross, family and friends. This blog is getting long, so I’ll stop for now and am open to suggestions for the next post...

How my season ended