It's been a long time since I raced a WCS…well finished a WCS. 2 years actually! I've only completed 2 Olympic distance races in those 2 years as well….scary facts! But true nonetheless. I know my fitness is not where it was before Sydney but I also know it's better than what I showed out there yesterday. I raced a French Grand Prix last week and felt pretty good but this week I just felt flat and off….It is unfortunate but there are some positives.
1. I didn't crash!
2. Nothing else freaky happened
3. I had a good swim with a bad ranking
4. Held my own in a super fast and technical bike
5. Pushed through some discomfort (cramping)
6. I finished! :)
Quite weak positives I know (especially the latter) but I'll take away what I can! I did make some mistakes and learned some lessons. I am still very nervous in a pack after my crash and I was too timid to get to the front coming into T2. I had a bad T2 and started the run from the back. I also got a bit of a scolding today for my altitude timing. Coach thinks some of my flatness and cramping could have been from poor timing at altitude but you never know. Altitude seems to be a trial and error thing…
All pro's and cons aside I was just happy to be out there racing WCS again! It is the highest standard of racing and it feels great to be a part of it again! The bar has been raised in the past 2 years, I can tell you that! I know I can do better next time and I can't wait for the opportunity to improve on yesterday. A small % makes a huge impact on your placing in these things and I think yesterday was a good place to launch from. Not good by any means but also not a complete disaster. I wouldn't go as far as to say I am satisfied but it's a start I guess.
Now I'm en route back to Davos to join my Suisse family. I have to give a quick shout out to the Suisse team for their hospitality this weekend. When the Canadian team left before my race, Iwan and Dominic, the Suisse team coach and manager were there for me. They went above and beyond. They invited me to meals, gave me a race briefing and schedule of race day, carried my backpack to transition, checked over my bike, pumped my tires…you name it! To Nicola Spirig and Melanie Anaheim for letting me tag along in your preparation….thank you! And of course my race day "coach" Reto Hug. You are the best! I can't wait for the chance to pay you all back in some way.
Now it's back to the grind for me. I got work to do and I know it. Can't wait. :)
