On August 25th, I competed in the World Triathlon Long Distance Championships. The race featured a challenging 3km swim, 114km bike, and 30km run, and it was a key event for me with a bigger goal in mind: qualifying for my professional license. To achieve this, I needed to finish in the top 5 overall across any age group and within 5% of the winner’s time. It was a tough task, but one I believed I could conquer.
The journey began on Thursday evening when I flew from Melbourne to Townsville. My family joined me. Stepping off the plane, I was immediately hit by the intense heat and humidity, a stark contrast to Melbourne's cold and windy weather. Over the next few days, I soaked up the event’s atmosphere, explored Townsville, and focused on managing my nerves and staying hydrated.
Race day arrived with the usual blend of excitement and nervousness. As adrenaline coursed through me, I calmed myself, went through my pre-race routine, and lined up at the start. The race kicked off with a deep water start, a first for me, and one I really enjoyed. Despite past struggles in the swim, I was confident. Having trained hard and improved my swimming, I knew I could compete with the top girls.
I found a good pair of feet to follow, and after a large group began to thin out, it was down to just three of us. Soon, it was only two. I stayed on the lead swimmer's feet for most of the second lap but had to drop back momentarily due to overheating in my wetsuit. I exited the water in 2nd place, just 40 seconds behind the leader—an outcome I was very pleased with.
On the bike, I felt strong despite the challenging course with numerous turns. The ride took us through some fantastic areas, including the race track, past stadiums, and along the coastline. The midday sun was relentless, making it feel even hotter. I pushed hard towards the end of the ride to prepare for the run.
Starting the run strong, I initially moved into 1st place around the 10km mark. However, I faded towards the end, learning valuable lessons in pacing and nutrition. As I neared the finish line, the relief of completing the race gave me a final burst of energy. Unfortunately, in my haste, I accidentally ran through the wrong finish line and had to backtrack, adding an extra 600 meters to my race. A lesson learned for sure!
I finished in 2nd place, narrowly behind the winner, and achieved my goal of qualifying for my professional license. The race was a great experience with many positives, although I recognise many areas where I can improve, an exciting motivator for future performances! I’m excited for the new season ahead, eager to build on these lessons and continue growing as an athlete.
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