An Unexpected Year

I had a year I wouldn’t have predicted.  Before World Championships, I would say I had a disappointing season.  I had subpar races, bad luck, and mediocre results.   My competitors were racing smarter, and possibly harder.  I went into World Champs knowing a good result wouldn’t make up for my Olympic (or other) performance, but I was determined to prove to myself that I am good enough for this sport. Auckland World Champs Race:

I dove in the water and tried to get to the front.  I was having a mediocre swim, and came out of the water further back than I’d hoped.  I mounted my bike and tried to look up the road to catch the front pack...it didn’t happen.  Anne Haug bridged up solo to the front pack on the bike.  I have no idea when this happened in the race, but I know that someday I hope to do the same (or just always be in the front pack when I start the bike).

Entering T2, I was over a minute down.  I raced out of transition thinking I could maybe get top 10, if I could just focus on my run form.  With two laps to go, I realized I might be able to catch the front pack.  I was almost in disbelief.  The entire crowd seemed to be willing me up to the front group.

On the last lap, I was with the front group (except for Anne who had already dropped the rest of the group).  I tried to just keep running strong and was in shock when I was sprinting to a podium finish.  My 10k time wasn’t outstanding, and the other girls may or may not have been running a technical race. It was a tough course and the hills on the bike course took a lot out of my legs. I am happy with my effort and that I was able to finish the race strong and never give up.

World Champs left me more motivated to stick with ITU triathlon.  I could make more money in draft-legal racing; however, it’s not money I want.  I want an Olympic Gold Medal.

I’m taking a month or so off of training.  I’m relaxing, cooking, visiting friends and family, and doing some “spring” (fall?) cleaning.  I am also going to travel a bit – I am going to San Francisco for a vacation with Patrick.  We are big foodies and are looking for recommendations of what to do/where to eat. Have any suggestions?

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First time in Japan: can’t wait to go back

Japan: loved the food, and the people were incredibly polite. I ate rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and was always trying new treats (salad, miso soup, and curry for breakfast? Yes please!) Yokohama was my first race post London and it felt great to be racing again.  I was mentally itching to race, however I was a little flat.  The swim was slower than normal.  We started biking and it basically all came together.  I rode timid, even though I had more confidence than ever on the bike –I think I just forgot how to race? Got to the run, and I finished as strong as I could.  I ended up getting 8^th behind teammate Sarah Groff.

The day after the race Sarah Groff, Vicky Holland and I went on an excursion to downtown Tokyo.  We found an Olympic Games 2020 festival.  We attempted to tell them we were Olympians, but I don’t think they could understand us.  Nonetheless, they welcomed us with open arms, teaching us how to make green tea and giving us chocolate treats.  It was an incredible experience and the green tea was delicious – we whipped it until frothy and drank up (picture)!

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After we went to a park with a shrine.  It was beautiful (picture).  We were famished by this time, so we went to find food, which was difficult as Vicky has a food allergy: Fish (so we tried to find something that wouldn’t have fish, fish sauce, etc. which is like trying to find something without cheese in WI). We ended up going into a packed restaurant downtown where you used an ATM-like machine to order your food and pay (picture).  You then sat down, and your meal was delivered shortly.  It was something I’d never experienced before.

On the way home I was craving a bubble tea.  Sarah thought she knew a place that served it.  We walked up to the window to order, but the man behind the counter had no idea what I was saying.  I was pointing at pictures and trying to show him what I wanted.  Five minutes later he was back in the kitchen whipping something up as I prayed he knew what I wanted (picture).  Thankfully I had paid for a bubble tea and was happily ready to pack my bags and head to Wollongong, Australia.

I spent the past few weeks in Wollongong training.  It was beautiful and great weather (picture).  I flew to New Zealand on Wednesday for the World Champs in Auckland this Saturday, October 20^th.  I’m excited to race.  It’s a tough, hilly course where no one can hide on the bike.  Excited for a tough race to end the season.

Off Road

I’ve never been so unprepared.  I showed up at Tuesday Night Cross (TNC) in Minneapolis, MN with my cyclocross bike.  The bike was perfect, and I felt like my fitness was great.  But I lacked essentials: mental will and skills.

I had ridden my cross bike a few times at the river bottoms in MN (my favorite place to ride – it’s beauty is unbelievable - See Picture To Left), however I hadn’t worked on CX skills.  And TNC is all skills.  The course is wide open with no place to hide.  There were two straight sections, lots of technical switchbacks, and a few barriers.  ITU’s use of the word “technical” made this course seem impossible.

Pre-race I rode two laps of the course and was almost in tears.  I’m a bit clumsy and had fallen down a flight of stairs earlier that week causing a huge bruise on my hip.  I was scared of falling on the bruise and was having trouble with the switchbacks. I knew I wasn’t prepared and knew this would be an embarrassment.  I had a conversation with myself – I kept saying I couldn’t do it, however I knew it was more that I wouldn’t.  I had to make a choice: swallow my pride and race, or walk away.

I decided to race, however, I wasn’t mentally in it.  I was scared of falling, and weary. The race started and I killed the straight sections.  Then the technical sections started.  I’d dismount, hop the barrier, and attempt to mount….minutes later the field was ahead of me.  I’d sprint only to get passed again.  It was humiliating.  I finished the race reluctant, knowing I need more work.  The only way I would improve my bike handling skills and power was to continue CX.

A few days later, I headed to Cable, WI, to watch Chequamegon.  It was an awesome experience.  The serenity in Cable reset and rejuvenated my mind and body.  My boyfriend, Patrick, his dad, and I stayed with Denis Kruse (in the yellow jersey below).  His cabin is incredible, and his generosity remarkable.  His house was full of entertaining, fun personalities.  I could listen to Steve Tilford and Denis talk all night!

gwen Cheq

Almost everyone in the house raced; but I was a spectator.  The athletes were incredible – fellow Olympian Lea Davison was racing in the women’s field.  We met after the race and were having a great time with the Little Bellas, until she asked me about my CX experience.  Apparently word travels fast!

Heading back to MN, I know I need to do things I don’t want to, such as CX.  It’s not going to be an easy journey, but I’m excited to improve.  Next, I will be racing the WTS race in Yokohama and the WTS finale in Auckland.