Saturday was the morning I'd been aiming for all summer. 12 months ago it was the scene for my best international performance and this time around it was to be the marquee race in my final dig at Olympic team selection. Everything was going great in the lead up. Solid training, solid race results and a healthy confidence I would perform as my plan predicted.
Unfortunately something I could not feel was present and come time to turn it on I was not ready. From the first stroke in the swim I was not right and was quickly at the rear of the pack. The feeling did not change as I lost contact with the main group and by the end of the 1.5km swim I was well off my usual mid pack positioning.
The sensation on the cycle was an exact facsimile of that in the water. When the two athletes I was desperately chasing the leaders with crashed on a tight corner my chances of remaining at all competitive were dashed and I made the decision to retired from the race.
It was very difficult to make the call as pulling out of any race always hurts the ego. This particular day was much more painful as I had so many people, both on course and elsewhere, in great support of me in my home country's big race. I want to thank everyone for their well wishes, words of encouragement and general support. I will have many chances to make up for this disappointing day and I have every intention of making the most of every opportunity. I will continue to dig into the unknown potential within me.
Unfortunately something I could not feel was present and come time to turn it on I was not ready. From the first stroke in the swim I was not right and was quickly at the rear of the pack. The feeling did not change as I lost contact with the main group and by the end of the 1.5km swim I was well off my usual mid pack positioning.
The sensation on the cycle was an exact facsimile of that in the water. When the two athletes I was desperately chasing the leaders with crashed on a tight corner my chances of remaining at all competitive were dashed and I made the decision to retired from the race.
It was very difficult to make the call as pulling out of any race always hurts the ego. This particular day was much more painful as I had so many people, both on course and elsewhere, in great support of me in my home country's big race. I want to thank everyone for their well wishes, words of encouragement and general support. I will have many chances to make up for this disappointing day and I have every intention of making the most of every opportunity. I will continue to dig into the unknown potential within me.