A bruise is a lesson...and each lesson makes us better.
- Arya Stark Game of Thrones
The past few weeks have been crazy! I brought another bike but this time I swapped the thin wheels for fat, mountain ones. I brought a 3500 D Trek Mountain bike from Yellow Jersey Bike Shop. This bike had it all for a beginner mountain biker like myself! It was light, durable, fast and cut through the rocky trails like Valaryain steel. On the Easter Friday I took it out for a spin with the group. I was so nervous as this was my first time mountain riding. Soon enough I was hooked! I could have spent hours out on the trails. It was challenging, muddy and adrenaline pumping and I loved every moment of it. Stacks and all!
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| Crossing the finish line a Christchurch Duathlon. Photo Cred: Sovereign |
The TQ Sprint triathlon event down at Redcliffe was on as well. That was a great event, finishing 1st 18-19yo and 2nd U19 female. I was so pleased with my swim, dropping over a minute from last year's time! Everyone had fantastic results and hopefully the points collected push Vision Tri club over the line to win Small Tri Club of the year for the 3rd year in a row. #uptheStarks!
However, the event to cap off this great race season was flying across the Narrow Sea to my homeland New Zealand to compete in the last Sovereign Tri Series Race, the Christchurch Duathlon. Christchurch was not only a test of my fitness and ability to adapt to different climates but a test of my maturity and self reliance. Due to the fact I was completely on my own. No parents, no coaches, no dragons, no training friends and not a single competitor that I knew of. I had to organise everything from food to hair to taxi service.
Somehow I had brought a cold snap with me to Christchurch. I was welcomed with wind, rain and 11 degree weather. Coming from sunny QLD where anything slightly under 20degrees calls for ugg boots and pjs. Going from QLD to Christchurch is like travelling from Kings Landing to the Wall. Winter is coming sweet summer child!
The fear of failure was high for Christchurch. Anything could have gone wrong on the day. I was nervous. What if I came all this way, spent all this money and did all this training to crumble under the pressure. What if I get a flat again? For a moment on the bike, sheer panic seeped in when I actually believed I did get a flat. There are a couple of things I would have changed in that race. For example, I would change the amount of time I spent worrying where second place was than just focusing on running to the finish. I wasted energy in looking back where I should have just solely looked forward.
In the end, my hard work paid off and I finished 1st place. Running through the zoo was incredible, although I didn't look around to see the animals, I did run with a swan for about 10metres. Afterwards, it was great to warm down by the lions and hang out with the Meerkats. Sadly no direwolves or dragons were to be seen. I was so tempted to take one home! (meerkat, of course).
This race season was filled with many good memories, some not so good and some truly fantastic results. I've learnt and grown (in maturity not height, sadface) with the sport. I am appreciative of the time and commitment my coaches, club, parents and supporters have given me this season. Now I am ready to tackle the gruelling early morning starts, winter chills and quad- burning hills.
What do we say to the god of sleep....Not Today.
Valar Morghulis and remember R +L = J ;)
Can you tell I'm keen for the Game of Thrones Season 5 première?
For more info on the Christchurch Duathlon click the link below:
http://triathlon.kiwi/blog/idChchreview
