WTS Gold Coast

Racing in the Gold Coast felt like racing in my hometown. It was only a one hour flight from our Wollongong, Australia home. The city of Gold Coast reminded me of a city in the USA like Miami, FL, or Myrtle Beach, SC.

The Gold Coast WTS was a beach start swim in the Nerang River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean. Depending on the time of day, the tide (and the current) changes. The day before the race, we did our swim preview and the current and wind were so strong that when I stopped in the middle of the race course, I would unknowingly float (be dragged) meters in a matter of seconds. I knew this tide could play a major role in the race, however, on race morning the current wasn’t as strong.

I was honored to wear #2 for the Gold Coast WTS. The #1 slot was left open to honor the great Jackie Fairweather. The #1 bike rack in transition had Jackie’s name, number, and a rose. Jackie passed away in November of 2014. She was a World Champion in triathlon and duathlon, and active in the sport of triathlon after her sporting career ended. Although I never met Jackie, I have a huge respect for what she did for our sport. She was a mentor for my coach, Jamie Turner, and she apparently loved chocolate, which makes her an instant winner. On race morning, I racked my bike in transition across from Jackie’s name and got ready for the race.

When the gun sounded, I sprinted and dove into the water. I made it to the first buoy in good position, allowing me to get around the buoys cleanly. I exited the water on the first lap and dove back in for the second lap when I got a blow to the face. My goggles filled up with water and my nose felt like it was bleeding, but there was no time to worry about sharks being attracted to my blood. I just focused on moving up in the pack.

I ran out of the water towards transition in fourth.  The bike course was extremely fun, with lots of turns and corners we could take at speed. Our bike pack was working relatively well together, trying to stay away from the chase packs, but not without casualty. Early into the race, two girls crashed around one of the corners. I saw the whole thing happen. And I thought, Okay, where can you get around? What’s the fastest open line? I slowed and avoided the crash, but had to work to catch back up with the front pack. Our pack continued to work together and we managed to stay away from the chasers.

I ran into transition and racked my bike, which subsequently tipped over. I put on my Noosa Fasts and ran out of transition with a few girls in front of me. As I was finishing my first run lap (of four) I glanced at the penalty board like I do every lap and saw it was empty. On the second lap, however, that had changed as I saw “2” (my number) on the board. This was my first (and hopefully last) penalty. I stopped, wondering what I did wrong. You can get a penalty for mounting your bike before the mount line, or not getting your helmet in your box, OR for not properly racking your bike…

I served my 15 second penalty and ran off with extra motivation. As I ran down the finishing chute towards the blue tape, I was ecstatic. I couldn’t believe what a great race I had (besides the penalty). I had a great swim, a great bike, and a great run. It’s the way I train to race. And, as if it couldn’t get any better…I turned around to see Sarah True back on the podium in 2nd and Katie Zaferes coming in 3rd for a USA podium sweep! It was pretty special to hear the Star Spangled Banner while standing next to two USA girls. Incredible!

Thank you to all my sponsors for their support, Jamie and Patrick for their daily investments, USA Triathlon, and my family, friends, and fans. Without your help this journey would not be possible. I will miss the next WTS race in Cape Town. I will get in a good block of training before heading to Yokohama for the 5th WTS of 2015 on May 16th.

So happy! Photo thanks to witsup.com

1-2-3 USA Podium Sweep. Photo thanks to Witsup.com

Photo thanks to witsup.com

Photo thanks to witsup.com

This is after the swim preview the day before the race. Photo thanks to witsup.com

Practicing some race starts with Wizards Charlotte McShane and Sarah Ann Brault the day before the race. Photo thanks to witsup.com

At the swim preview the day before the race. Photo thanks to witsup.com

This is the meal Patrick cooked for me in the hotel the night before the race. Yum!

Photo thanks to Delly Carr

Jackie Fairweather's transition rack. Photo thanks to Delly Carr

Me serving my penalty.

All smiles post race

Abu Dhabi WTS Race Report

Calm. That’s how I would describe my experience in Abu Dhabi. It was my first time in the Middle East, a surreal place.  The buildings were magnificent, the water was clear but super salty, and the day we left, it was so hot there was a heat haze. Hummus, baba ghanoush, and dates were plentiful and delish. Alcohol, on the other hand, was not common. In fact, our hotel was a “dry” hotel. 

As race day approached, I wasn’t as nervous as I’ve been in the past. I was relieved to be relaxed; it was a nice alternative to my last WTS (Edmonton 2014).

During my week in Abu Dhabi I was invited to a local’s house for dinner. Being able to get out of the hotel and eat a home cooked meal when I’m at a race is refreshing. I was able to catch up with an old friend Omar Nour (who I hadn’t seen in over two years) and a few others from the triathlon scene. Our hosts, Marc and Mary Carol, were incredibly generous. They welcomed us with wine, water, cheese, and nuts, followed by a healthy dinner of chicken, fish, salads, quinoa, and desserts. I left full, happy, and at peace. Maybe this is the reason I was so calm leading into the race.

The Abu Dhabi WTS sprint distance triathlon started at 3:06pm for the women. It was a beautiful day for a triathlon and I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of triathlon fans there to cheer us on. This was the first ITU race Abu Dhabi hosted, and they knocked it out of the park. Everything was on time, ready, and safe.

The swim was a beach start where we ran into the calm, salty, buoyant water. As I approached the first buoy, I wasn’t in the top five and paid the price. It was brutal as I struggled to stay above water around the buoys. I came out of the water in the middle of the field and had some work to do. I never panicked. I remained in the moment and focused on the task at handing: getting to the finish line as quick as possible. Over the course of the 20km bike ride, I was in the second chase pack. Before I knew it, I was in T2 putting on my running shoes. I exited transition on a mission to test myself on the run. By the end of the first (of two) laps, I saw the current leader: Flora Duffy. I was shocked I was making up so much time on the run and before I knew it I was in the lead. As I crossed the finished line and looked over my shoulder, I couldn’t have been happier to see USA teammate Katie (Hursey) Zaferes cross the line in second for her first ever WTS podium. Team USA had five women in the top ten! I’m proud of our country and proud to be a part of triathlon history with the other USA women.

I’m now back in Wollongong. The main goal of the year is the Rio test event in August. Thank you to Coach Jamie, Patrick, Heather, USAT, my family, and my sponsors. It’s going to be a challenging season and there is still a lot of work to do. I’m excited and ready.

Up next is round two of the WTS in Auckland, NZ on Sunday, March 29th.  

Pre race warm up on the bike. Photo thanks to Specialized

My bike waiting in transition...Photo thanks to Specialized

Abu Dhabi WTS bike. Photo thanks to Specialized

Thank you to everyone who helped to get me across the finish line in first. Picture thanks to Janos Schmidt.

Two Island House athletes post race: Lisa Norden and me.

I was hungry post race and apparently I didn't want Jamie taking my photo :)

A ride in Abu Dhabi before the race.

A run in Abu Dhabi.

Hummus, hummus, hummus. Where to start?

My wonderful grandma watching me race all the way back in WI!

Yokohama WTS Race Report

“I love rice!” might be some of the strangest post-race interview words I’ve spoken. I always struggle with post-race interviews. I’m not good with interviews to start with, then add in my drained body (both physically and mentally) and you get an “I love rice” answer to a question about why I love Yokohama that was never asked.

I really do love Yokohama, but the reasons why are more plentiful than rice. Yokohama WTS won my heart in 2012. The ITU and Local Organizing Committee (LOC) set the standard in Yokohama: the event is well run, thoroughly thought out, organized, and the city is incredibly invested in the event.  Fans line the roads in both rain (2013) and sunshine (2014), the quality of the roads are impeccable, the city is ready for the athletes and there are posters everywhere showcasing the ITU event. We are also welcomed and sent off by the Mayor and others with a delicious Japanese meal (with lots of rice). The LOC makes the race easy, so we as athletes can focus on racing. I was also fortunate to have Patrick, Jamie, USAT, and the ASICS and Specialized teams in Yokohama for additional support, making pre- and post-race a synch.

After two disappointing WTS races, I was eager to race again and put together a solid swim, bike, and run. I knew what to expect from the Yokohama course as this was my third time racing here. In 2012, I came into T2 in the front pack, but ended up eighth on the day with the eighth fastest run. The bike course in Yokohama looks fairly easy on paper, but if you don’t ride in a good position, it can hurt your legs on the run. I knew, from the previous two years, that I needed to be in a good position on the bike in order to execute on the run.

When the gun went off, I focused on my swim technique and getting to the first buoy as quickly as possible. There was fighting around the buoys, but I managed to exit the 1500m swim in 13th place. As I exited the water, I knew I had to be aware and alert. I saw key players in front of me and took advantage of the long run to T1 to gain some time. I ended up coming out of T1 in third and had a brief moment of shock, before I regained focus for the bike.  In the early stages of the bike, there was a group of about 14 girls; however, we were not working well together and we ended up coming into T2 with about 45 girls.  My position wasn’t great, but I managed to get to my shoes safely and start the run with the leaders in sight. The sun was out and it was hot. I wasn’t used to the heat, so I tried to keep my body temperature down by taking water at the aid stations. I ran with the leaders for a lap or two, before I was able to make a break and cross the finish line first.

I am happy to have come away with the win in Yokohama. It felt amazing to execute in the swim and bike after the hard work we have been putting in this year. The rest of the season will be a challenge. We are now in Vitoria (Basque region) where we will base training for the remainder of the season. I’m so looking forward to the riding, my Specialized Globe, Salburua runs, tortillas, inexpensive cafes and more.

Thank you for all the messages and support. I’m so grateful for the win and am ready to continue to work. You will find me racing next in London on May 31st.

Video recap with article can be found here: http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/2014_itu_world_triathlon_yokohama_elite_womens_review

A great feeling to come across the finish line first!

Picture thanks to Specialized

Podium

Me at the Specialized tent signing bags

Patrick and me refueling with some sushi and the ASICS crew post-race

It's no David Hobbs Honda Odyssey, but it's still a pretty awesome vehicle!

The ginormous rice cooker at breakfast. I literally ate rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.