Along with my two teammates, Courtney and Brad, I arrived in London 4 days before the race from camp in France. It was a long 4 days. The women’s triathlon was 3 days before ours so we were able to get an idea of the atmosphere we would be amongst on race day and excitement levels were peaking only to have to damper the anticipation to save it up for 48 hours later.
Fast forward to race day and I was greeted to dry roads and relatively blue sky. Trying to stick to usual pre race routine was interesting when crowd reaction during bike warm up (over 2 hours before race start) rivaled that of many WTS race finish lines. Nonetheless routine was followed and sensation was good even if nerves were off the charts.
I managed to use the nervous energy to get a good start in the swim around the Serpentine avoiding being pummeled around the first swim buoys and finding rhythm into the long back straight. My rhythm wasn’t quite as good as others’ and with the leaders setting a cracking pace over the 1500m lap I lost contact and finished the swim well back what became the 4th group heading out onto the 42km bike.
On what must be one of the most iconic bike course around I can honestly say I took in not a skerrick of the scenery throughout the 7 laps. From the mount line the chase began and did not let up until we hit transition having caught one large group ahead but still in arrears of the pointy end. A motivated chase by the majority of my group saw us gain some time on the front but not enough.
Onto the run and again an Olympic motivation saw everyone giving everything they had. I had trouble finding pace in my legs straight off the bike and this cost me dearly dropping positions for the first 3km before beginning to claw some spots back through the middle laps. Finding motivation to push to the finish was not difficult with a constant (and at times deafening) roar of the unbelievable crowd in your ear every step.
I finished 35th which is far from what I had hoped and what I believe I am capable of. On that day I wasn’t good enough to achieve my absolute desired outcome but to become an Olympian is something I cannot be disappointed with. I hope to use this as another stepping-stone towards the bigger and better dreams that are already stirring, becoming more clear and vivid.
I have so many people to thank who supported me to the finish line. Everyone who sent messages before and after I am greatly appreciative, my sponsors who make it possible for me to do what I do at the highest level in the most professional way, my coach Danielle and my family. I do this because I love it and if it wasn’t for the support of everyone of you I would find no joy in the life I lead.
Fast forward to race day and I was greeted to dry roads and relatively blue sky. Trying to stick to usual pre race routine was interesting when crowd reaction during bike warm up (over 2 hours before race start) rivaled that of many WTS race finish lines. Nonetheless routine was followed and sensation was good even if nerves were off the charts.
I managed to use the nervous energy to get a good start in the swim around the Serpentine avoiding being pummeled around the first swim buoys and finding rhythm into the long back straight. My rhythm wasn’t quite as good as others’ and with the leaders setting a cracking pace over the 1500m lap I lost contact and finished the swim well back what became the 4th group heading out onto the 42km bike.
On what must be one of the most iconic bike course around I can honestly say I took in not a skerrick of the scenery throughout the 7 laps. From the mount line the chase began and did not let up until we hit transition having caught one large group ahead but still in arrears of the pointy end. A motivated chase by the majority of my group saw us gain some time on the front but not enough.
Onto the run and again an Olympic motivation saw everyone giving everything they had. I had trouble finding pace in my legs straight off the bike and this cost me dearly dropping positions for the first 3km before beginning to claw some spots back through the middle laps. Finding motivation to push to the finish was not difficult with a constant (and at times deafening) roar of the unbelievable crowd in your ear every step.
I finished 35th which is far from what I had hoped and what I believe I am capable of. On that day I wasn’t good enough to achieve my absolute desired outcome but to become an Olympian is something I cannot be disappointed with. I hope to use this as another stepping-stone towards the bigger and better dreams that are already stirring, becoming more clear and vivid.
I have so many people to thank who supported me to the finish line. Everyone who sent messages before and after I am greatly appreciative, my sponsors who make it possible for me to do what I do at the highest level in the most professional way, my coach Danielle and my family. I do this because I love it and if it wasn’t for the support of everyone of you I would find no joy in the life I lead.