Last weekend at Sun City I started my triathlon long distance
journey. After talking to my coach, we decided that the long distance triathlon
will be a better option for me, as I have lacked the top end speed needed for
ITU racing. This was a big step up as long distance racing is completely
different to ITU racing. There is a lot more tactics involved and pacing plays
a crucial role, if you go out to fast on the bike and blow, it will be a very
long day of racing. Also nutrition plays a vital role, as the distance is a lot
further and you race longer, timing of your nutrition as well as the amount
that you will take on race day plays a big part in your performance.
At the start of the race there was a bit confusion as the race
started late due to traffic cops being late and safety was a priority. This meant
we would start at any given notice and made warming up for swimming a bit
hard. I was very nervous for the race as it was only my second ever long
distance race. I was and am still very inexperienced with this type of racing,
but was confidant in my swim. Coming from an ITU background I knew my swim was
strong and I can rely on it to give me a bit of breathing space for a smooth
transition and an opportunity to settle in on the bike. Luckily that was
the way it panned out. I was first out the water after the swim and was still
feeling anxious and exited at the same time. Leaving transition I knew this is
where the race would really start - whether I would have a good race
or a great race.
The first few km on the cycle felt very comfortable. I was
feeling good and was pushing the bike a bit. But at the back of my mind I kept
thinking to myself that am I going to hard? Will I pop in a while? And where is
the rest of the competitors? The cycle was a 2 lap route consisting of 45km
each. So I could see the other competitors at the turn around points. This gave
me a bit of insight to how I am doing compared to them. I was racing athletes
who has done a lot of these races so I knew form them how I was doing and how
the day is going. As expected they kept closing the gap on the bike at every
turn point that I looked. I took a chance and decided at the last turn around I
would wait for them and stay with them when they caught me. This meant that I
could save my legs a bit on the run as well as that I would start with them.
This was a risky gamble as I might have given them a big mental boost by
letting them catch me. But it was a risk I was willing to take. I thought if I
cycle 1min slower I might be able to run 2 faster. They caught me with 10km to
go and I stuck with them till the end. It was a lot easier for me to pace
myself of them then what I had to do when I was on my own. Still a lesion that
I have had to learn.
When we entered transition again, I heard there was a mix up
with the swim and that some athletes missed a buoy. The organizers decided to
discard the swim and only take the run and bike time. This meant that my full
advantage that I gained on the swim was now a disadvantage, as I had to run 4
min out of the competitors. If I had known that now then I would have not
waited for them on the bike. This was a big mental blow for me, but also a
challenge. I knew I had to push myself as hard as I can to see if I can make up
the time as well as how hard and far I can push myself on the run. I started
the run and felt quite good. I did start a bit too fast and thought I need to
keep pushing but also I need to hold back that I don’t blow. The run route was
quite difficult as it was around two golf courses and there was a few hills to
get from one to the other. Also there was a few twists and turns to navigate.
In the end I managed to complete the run and was able to run the 4min I needed
to win the race. This was a good confident booster for me and I am grateful
that I could have done the race and got a positive result out of it.
This was a good learning experience and I am happy
for the positive outcome and I am confident that I will
be able to improve in future races as I gain more experience. This success of
the race is also attributed to the great support system backing
me up. It goes down from my family to my coach and all my sponsors. Without
them none of this would be possible. I really do appreciate it.
My next race will be the 70.3 in Rapperswil, Switzerland on
the 7th of June. This will be my first international 70.3 race and I
am quite excited for the race and the whole atmosphere of racing overseas at a
new distance as well as the fact that my whole family will be there to support
me. Let’s hope I won’t let them down and that I will have a good race and most
important of all, have fun.
Cheers
Rudolf
