It's Not Every Four Years, It's Every day

It’s Not Every Four Years, It’s Every Day

-USOC Moto

Watching the 2014 Winter Olympics has a new meaning for me after competing in the 2012 London Games. I have a new respect, outlook, and appreciation for the athletes. In order to be successful, athletes must not only be excellent once every four years, but also excellent every day for four years. Athletes make daily investments with the focus on a one day event sometimes four years away. These athletes train for years for one event, and many of the competitions or races finish in less than a minute. The training in cold, wet, miserable conditions when your body can barely get out of bed, time spent away from home, missing holidays and valuable time with close friends and family is all invested for a single event that happens once every four years. Every athlete has come to the Games as prepared as they can be and ready to thank their support groups through performance.

Watching the Olympics with my new outlook has caused me to relate to and feel for every athlete: the one who succeeds, and the one who makes a millisecond mistake that costs him or her the race. I have a new appreciation for the profile stories about the athletes. I love learning about who the person is behind the ‘athlete.’ But I also understand the time and energy athletes put into interviews. Interviews are one way for athletes to communication with the public however, if an athlete is in a spotlight, numerous interviews may be requested. Phone interviews can take five to sixty minutes, email interviews can take an hour, and TV or filmed interviews can take eight hours. Often an athlete is asked the same question they have been asked in other interviews, but must respond like it’s the first time they’ve been asked. It’s not always easy, but it’s one small way athletes can give back to the public.

I am thankful for triathlon after watching some of the Winter Olympic sports. I’m thankful I don’t have to wait for a score after I compete; instead, I cross the finish line and know where I stand. I would be anxious waiting for someone else to judge my race. I also love triathlon as I have three different disciplines, and you never know what may happen. Each race is different, and each athlete has to be prepared for any race situation.

My coach, Jamie Turner, is helping to prepare me for any triathlon situation: we must be strong enough in the water to swim in the front pack, responsive to spikes in power on the bike in case a domestique or strong rider starts to control the race, and able to run faster than anyone else once off the bike. Every day of training is a challenge and an education. This year is easier than last year in the sense that nothing is new. But this doesn’t mean the daily grind gets any easier.

At this time of the year, many triathletes are in a building and base phase of training. Every day our bodies and minds are tested under fatigue. When struggling, I look to the USOC motto (It’s Not Every Four Years, It’s Every Day) to gain composure and focus on creating excellence in everything I do. I know when the big race comes practicing under fatigue and pressure will have been good preparation.

While watching the Olympics I became eager to race. Thankfully my first race of the season is fast approaching. I will race the World Cup Triathlon in Mooloolaba, Australia on March 15th.

Flashback to London Olympics. Spending time with my family.

Flashback to 2012 Olympics

Flashback to 2012 Olympics with Evelyn

Jan 2014 Update

On January 2nd, I nervously arrived in Sydney, Australia. I shouldn’t have been nervous because I had Patrick by my side; however, I was out of shape after taking full advantage of the off-season. As we headed to Falls Creek, Australia, I had no idea what kind of shape my training partners would be in and I didn’t know what Jamie Turner had in store for us. After a few days, my nerves were eased. We were running easy (at a 5:30km pace) in the morning, having technique focused swims and a few rides down the mountain. There are a few new faces in the Jamie Turner/Wollongong Wizards group. Falls Creek is a perfect place to get to know everyone. We live together in a big ski cabin (we have two houses and each house holds 12 people). I love being able to go to the third floor (where the kitchen/living area is) to have family meals with the other Wizards. Four times a week we go down the mountain to Mount Beauty where we swim outside. My favorite part of Mount Beauty is the Butcher. They have the best meat – I (or, maybe Patrick) now know how to cook a rack of lamb to perfection. Patrick and I talk about and look forward to the Mount Beauty Butcher all year. When we walk in the door of the butcher, we never know what we will buy; but we always know we will have a warm welcome.

Getting back into shape wasn’t something to be nervous about, but it was a bit exhausting. I was sleeping nine to eleven hours a night and taking mini naps during the day as my body adapted. It felt great to get some solid base training in and to get back into a routine.

On January 24th we left Falls Creek and headed back to Wollongong where we will be based until Yokohama WTS (on May 19). From Yokohama, we will travel to our (third) home, in Vitoria (Basque region of Spain) where we will be until the WTS final in Edmonton (on September 2).

Last year, everything was new and I had to adapt to new training and living situations. This year, having familiarity and normalcy allows me to enjoy and maximize my training that much more.

This year, I plan to do an early season World Cup in Australia and then complete the WTS series. The schedule can be found at: www.triathlon.org I have a few goals this year. I want to  Become stronger in the swim and on the bike; Focus on the processes of each discipline during each race with the end goal of winning the WTS Series Overall; Better adapt to change; and Have a stress-free, fun wedding after the WTS Final

Thank you for taking time to read my updates. I’m excited for this year and the road to Rio.

Swimming in Falls Creek

Dinner in Falls Creek

2013 Timeline

As 2014 starts, I wanted to take some time to reflect on 2013 January 3rd, 2013

ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA

This was my first year training with Jamie Turner and the Wollongong Wizards.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I loved it!

February 14th, 2013

MY WORST BIKE RIDE: Black racing crit on Valentine’s Day

Emotionally and physically I was wrecked from the past month and a half of training. My body wasn’t used to it and I was missing home. The first part of my day should have been great. I remember Patrick buying me gifts (chocolate, lotion, a love note, etc.). He gave them to me, but I wasn’t thankful.  Anyway, we left for the afternoon ride and I was dreading it. I had a poor swim and run that day and I was so tired I could barely get out of bed.  I rode to the deserted road with the Wollongong Wizards and we were told to race each other.  I was getting dropped almost every lap (and would turn around to try to stay with the group, but I continually got dropped). My mind was not in the correct state. I was tired and making excuses.  My body was still adapting to the workouts, and I hadn’t learned yet how to handle my emotions when I was physically tired.  As the year progressed, I knew what to expect from the workouts and was able to better adapt and change.

February 15th, 2013

ONE OF MY WORST RUNS: 3 rounds of 10 min at 3:50k pace plus 4x1:20 on 2:00 faster

Mentally I was doing heaps better than the previous day.  I felt alright in the morning and at the afternoon swim, but I did not do well at the afternoon run session.  I remember struggling through the first round, getting dropped on the second round and getting demolished on the final round. During the cool down, I ran with fellow Wizard, Natalie VanCoevoerden, and felt like I wouldn’t make it back to North Wollongong Beach.  When we finally shuffled in, we found Charlotte, Grace and the boys playing in the ocean. Jamie told me to cool off in the water. I looked at him with one of my faces knowing that the 50meter walk to the ocean would feel miserable.  Patrick was there, and he could tell I was exhausted.  He started to ask me what I wanted in the curry we were going to make for dinner. “How about broccoli? Carrots? Cauliflower?” All I could think about was how I was going to get the 1k home from the beach.  “Gwenny? Do you want cauliflower?” Patrick repeated. “I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT CAULIFLOWER!” I bellowed. To this day, Jamie makes fun of me telling Pat I didn’t want to talk about the cauliflower.  Obviously, I needed a break.  I spent the next few mornings sleeping in and I was back in business before I knew it!

March of 2013

PATRICK AND OUR BIGGEST FIGHT: How many coffees are acceptable to buy a day?

I think two coffees are acceptable. Patrick likes to enjoy five or so. I know there are much worse “addictions” to have, but I tend to stress over how much money we spend.  In the end, I don’t think either of us won this fight.  We talked about it constantly for a few weeks trying to come up with a  compromise.  We settled with full disclosure (Patrick had to tell me exactly how many coffees he bought a day).

April 19, 2013

BIGGEST RELIEF: San Diego Win

After the WTS race in Auckland, I wasn’t sure if I had made the right choice to be a professional triathlete.  I knew I was fit and ready to race, so when I didn’t perform in Auckland I was worried about my career.  Wining San Diego changed everything.  Crossing the line, I remember thinking, Thank goodness. I am meant to be doing triathlon!

May thru September

CONFIDENCE BUILDING WORKOUT: 1k repeats in Vitoria (done between May and September)

I enjoy 1k repeats. They are long enough to make me tired, yet short enough to not wreck the body. I loved doing 1k repeats with either Charlotte McShane or with Aaron Royle.  If I was doing them with Aaron (Bugs, as I call him), he would give me about a 15 second head start.  It works out perfectly so half the time he beats me, and the other half I win. It was motivating, exciting, fun, and gave me confidence. (I tried doing the same thing with fellow Wizard Ryan Bailie, but he always timed it so he would pass me in the first minute, which I didn’t enjoy as much).

July 20th, 2013

MOST HUMBLING MOMENT: Entering T1 at Hamburg in 43rd place

Running to transition from the water and seeing almost all of the bikes gone is not a good feeling.  Jamie and I had been working on improving my swim and I had seen improvements in the pool so this was a very humbling moment for me and something that still motivates me.

August 24, 2013

BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Winning the World Triathlon Series race in Stockholm.

I had a rough time in Auckland, followed by two successful wins in San Diego and Yokohama. The first part of the European season I struggled.  I had a mediocre (at best) race in Madrid, a hard time in Kitzbheul, and a bad swim in Hamburg.  I had been working hard and training well.  A lot of sweat, tears, and gut went into the season, and Stockholm was when I was able to showcase what I’d been learning from my peers, support crew, Jamie, and Patrick.

December 4, 2013

HAPPIEST MOMENT/BEST DAY/MOST JOY: Patrick’s proposal

I had no idea Patrick had a ring and was completely shocked when he got down on one knee.  It is a moment I will never forget, and something I cherish every day.  I can’t wait for the rest of our lives together.

December 12, 2013

MOST RECENT WOOPSIE: Ruining soon-to-be Mother(-in-law)’s new kitchen Table

Pat and I drove to Fargo, ND, to spend some time with his family.  While there, I asked his mother, Jane, for some nail polish remover.  Jane gave me some, and went to bed.  Patrick, Craig (Pat’s Dad), and our friend Justin were talking and catching up at the kitchen table.  Patrick farted and I was complaining, so he reached over to plug my noise for me.  He accidently tipped over the nail polish remover which spilled on the beautiful wood of the finished table.  We were frantically cleaning it up and wondering how we were going to explain this to Jane.  An hour passes and we decided to head to bed. I lifted the napkin I was doing my nails on, however it stuck to the table.  “Uh Oh,” I said.  Everyone looked at me and shook their heads as they knew what happened.  The first spot was bad enough, but now there was a huge part of the table that had the finished removed. I was not looking forward to telling Jane. Thankfully, she was a good sport and she didn’t seem to mind too much.

Some Favorites from 2013:

FAVORITE POOL TO SWIM IN: URAC in Wollongong, NSW, Australia.

FAVORITE PLACE TO RUN: Salburua (Vitoria, Basque region). There is a 6k loop that I would be happy running every single day!

FAVORITE PLACE TO RIDE: Cable, Wisconsin or Vitoria in Basque Region.

FAVORITE WOLLONGONG WIZARDS MOMENT: Family Dinners.

FAVORITE COFFEE PLACE: Diggies

One of our Family Dinners in Vitoria

family dinner

The Wollongong Wizards running in Falls Creek 2013

fallscreek