It has taken me some hours of travelling and some detailed thoughts to evaluate my most recent performance in Ishigaki, Japan. The season is now well under way and Ishigaki was to be my third race in 4 weeks on the road. There was special atmosphere in Japan. As you are all aware Japan is currently experiencing the after effects of the March 11th Earthquake that has had a devastating effect on Japan as a country. There was understandably major doubt in the weeks before whether the race would actually take place. Ishigaki is Japans most southern city and is about 2000 km south of Tokyo after long deliberation ITU (International Triathlon Union) agreed that it was safe for the race to go ahead.
In the days leading up to the race you could sense that the Japanese people we really pulling together to make this race as special as it has been in past years, despite all the problems the country was currently experiencing. It was only fair that all athletes racing dedicated their day to all those who have been effected by this disaster.
Leading into the race I felt very good. Training had gone well since Sydney WCS one week earlier and I was feeling confident. Race morning arrived and I was feeling good and most of all relaxed. The race started great for me I had a good swim and exited the water in 8th position heading the main pack with a small group out in front. This was as good as it got for the first part of my race. Shortly after exiting the water I experienced severe lactic production in my legs. This was a big problem as I simply could not push any power on the bike resulting in me not being able to maintain my position at the front of the race. Entering the 2nd transition in around 35th position it was now a question of catching as many girls as possible. I had a very solid run and showed signs of what I know I am capable of. I was able to catch 17 of the girls who were ahead of me finishing the race in 18th overall. On paper it is a respectable result but if I am honest it is a result I am not satisfied with. Again I had a great run – clocking the 4th fastest run of the day. My swim was also great but had I been able to hold my position on the bike it would have given me the opportunity to run for podium.
Immediately after the race I couldn’t find any positive. But now having had time to reflect I have a clear understanding of the area that needs to be improved in order to prevent this from happening in the future. Having collected Olympic points with my 18th position it has helped me move up in the Olympic simulation placing me 40th out of 55 available slots.
I am now home in beautiful, sunny and warm Denmark (believe it or not we have 23 degrees). This is one of the best places in the world to train when the weather is like this. I have one and a half weeks in Denmark before I leave for the next World Cup – Monterrey, Mexico taking place on the 8th May. I will now be based in Denmark until autumn and only leave Denmark when I am flying out for races. Soon I will have a ‘complete’ support network around me in Denmark this will enable my preparation and focus for every race is 100%. I am very positive about the next phase of training and very excited to get it right.
