The 12 days leading to china were unfortunately not as any competitor would have liked.....In bed for 2 days with Flu and no energy. With the months of training behind me this is not how i had planned it but had to go to China with the goal of the podium. After a relaxing flight courtesy of Fly Emirates I arrived in Beijing with my husband Will and 3 fellow team mates and their partners. Makes a difference flying sans children and with flat beds!
Friday before the race at registration it was in the high 20's. Warm weather - perfect! I have learn't over the last few years that I am not a wet weather racer (I tend to go a strange colour of blue/purple and my body tends to stop moving). So imagine my disappointment waking on race day to a complete down pour!!
It was my worse race to date with no energy from the start. Arriving in China I was tired and frustrated having been ill and bed ridden for two days the week. This definitely made a massive difference to how I felt. I feel stronger today and I am enjoying the rest (if you can call walking the Great Wall of China a rest!!). The first 350 meters in the swim I felt ok. Near the front (about 4th) and focusing on technique as my arms seemed to be lacking power already. The first turning at the buoy I realised then it was not my day - it felt like my batteries had just run out......not as I had planned......now need to just grit my teeth and see if I can keep going.
Out of T1 and onto the bike course. I was officially PURPLE! Brilliant!! Just kept my head down and tried to warm up. It was a long 20km on the bike and after struggling in T2 with my cold hands to get my trainers on I knew the run would be slow. Managed a 20min 5km which would have been great a year ago - this year I know I can go much faster. Over the finish line in 5th shaking from head to foot.
Everyone has been amazing and so supportive both leading to the event and post, especially my husband and children. I also could not have done this without my training partners and team Tri 2 aspire and the continued support from my sponsors:
Fly Emirates, Intersport, Maxi Fuel, Wolfis Bike shop and Abela and Co.
Although the race did not go to plan I have to put it into prospective......I came 5th in the World with a bad day in the office! xx
