Feeling Flat - Devonport OTC

Pun intended.

Sometimes luck just isn't on your side. You can do everything right. You can sleep well the night before, eat properly in the lead up, drink your body weight in water and recover with your compression game on point. But in the end a mechanical failure is what it is. In the end all one can do is wipe the tears and get back to the grind.



Cornering slightly on my speedy Emonda SL5,
Courtesy of Yellow Jersey Bike Shop.
Photo cred: ipimage 

This is exactly what happened to me at the Aus Junior Triathlon Champs in beautiful and remote Devonport, TAS. After a rather struggling wetsuit swim in 0.8m swells, I was head down, bum up, chasing the pack. My speedy trek Emonda flying up the 20% gradient hill. Then lap 2 of a 4 lap bike course I felt a wobble in my back wheel and heard a slight noise. Dread burned in the pit of my stomach and I knew it was a flat.

Why ???? (insert series of curse words and fist shaking at the Tri Gods)

No spares, no wheel, no race. I watched hopelessly as the packs went by. When the officials came I was forced to mouth the words that felt like acid. A phrase I NEVER want to repeat again - I pull. It was a long, disappointing walk back to transition. Having a DNF is the worst feeling in sporting history!!! Honestly, I'd rather go out in flaming style, like overshooting a corner and feel the bike slip out from underneath me. All the while I gracefully soar through the air into the ragged arms of the bitumen. Not from a small, minute, pathetic little tear in a tube caused by either a leaky value or stranded piece of glass! Ughh it makes me mad just thinking about it! I'd rather be disqualifed from a race than not finish. No matter what, I'd rather finish what I set out to do!

Astrid and I post relays.
Literally just after.

Pain is temporary but this disappointment lasts forever. This horrible feeling still hasn't left. Instead it's been repressed, deep into the back of my subconscious. Until next year, I'll unearth the feeling and use it as fuel to redeem myself over the U23 Olympic distance. For now, that file is locked.

The weekend wasn't a complete disaster story. On the Sunday we particpated in the relays. Both youth and juniors combined because of limited numbers, so I had the chance to race my training partner Astrid. Who did an amazing job in coming 4th in the Youth Girls race! I feel like a proud sister! I was in a team with my other training partner Tyler, who also did a great job in the very competitive junior mens race and came 33rd. Fantastic job! I came out of the 250m swim with Astrid and we entered the 4km bike leg together. As training partners we ride together almost every cycle session. Soon enough we built a solid pace, rotating with ease and caught two other girls in front. On the last corner I sneakily got the inside edge and took off in front, getting a 10m lead coming into T2. On the 1.2km I could feel my legs turning to jelly but I pushed on to the end knowing it was only around the corner. Collasping over the line with Astrid hot on my tail, I felt the relief course through my body. I finally got to race. I finally got to release the racing vibes that had been bottled up from the tragic day before. I realised then and there why I do 20hours of training a week. It's addicting! The excitiment and nerves and the feeling of joy you get when you cross the line knowing you put everything into it. I'm addicted to racing.

The Squad shot with professional long course triathlete
- the hilarious and inspirational Jimmy Sears.
(left, with the hair Einstein would be jealous of)

In the end, there is nothing I can do about a mechanical failure. I just need to move onto the next race. Hello, Christchurch! To be honest, I don't think I would have survived the weekend without Astrid and her mother Robyn there for support. (And photos!) Astrid with her encouraging words and Robyn with her motherly like hugs, I felt well looked after. I couldn't be more grateful for their presence. Also I want to thank Triathlon QLD for having me in the team and taking good care of me over the weekend. I like travelling with a small team. It gives me a chance to bond with other competitors and learn all the goss in triathlon. I want to praise long course professional triathlete Jimmy Sears. I learnt a lot from him about life as a professional triathlete, how bad sugar is and how wonderful hard boiled eggs are. His hair may be crazy but enclosed is a head full of knowledge. I'd give him a follow on all social media platforms if I were you! I would of course like to thank my parents, because well.. they are my parents. I couldn't thank them enough for what they do for me. And lastly my coaches and support team at VTC. For constantly pushing me towards my goals and helping me out when the wheels start to go flat.

Onwards and upwards!!! Redemption is coming...

Watch this space

Mine and Astrid's Compression Socks Game on point!

 

Astrid and I after the relays, smiles all round!