Confidence is Key

Im gonna hit you with some truth. I have been really shaken up since Western Sydney 70.3. I don't know why, but it scared me. I never thought I could feel that way again because I felt just as hopeless and out of my depth as I did at my first ever triathlon all those years ago. Maybe it brought back feelings or memories of being overweight and unfit? As I have said in previous posts, I do not believe it is possible to go through the kind of massive physical change that I went through and not have some issues as a result. Regardless, something happened to me after that race, I haven't been myself and I don't like it. 

So in an attempt to remedy the situation I decided to race a small local sprint triathlon yesterday. I have done next to no training in the last 2 weeks after the race and have spent way too much time eating and drinking. So I went there yesterday and thought Im just gonna have a hard hit out and make sure I can still do a decent swim-bike-run. I had no expectations, I just wanted to feel good. I admitted to my wife after the race that I was actually really scared before the race. What would it mean if I failed once again? A big part of who I am is a triathlete. Not for the reasons non-triathletes may think, but instead because of the healthy lifestyle that it promotes. The part of triathlon that I enjoy the most is the training. The structure it gives my life and the motivation to bury myself on a regular basis and know that as bad as it hurts while I am doing it there is a purpose.

Anyway I will spare you all the details of the race but the main thing is I felt really good. I had a few little issues throughout the race with my goggles filling with water constantly and having to adjust my shoes on the run but I walked away with a 1:04:09 a new PB and I won my Age Group. All that stuff is great but the thing that makes me the most happy is that I enjoyed the race. I smiled on the run, crushed the bike and had fun. I remembered why I do this sport and why I love it. I got my confidence back.

It's amazing the impact that the race has had on my attitude and mood. It really demonstrated to me how down I have been since Western Sydney. So now I am ready to rip in and get ready for Challenge Melbourne in February. I did this race last year and it is brilliant. The roads are amazing and it is a super-quick bike course so I am looking forward to the race. I also think I have sorted out my 70.3 race schedule for next year:

February - Challenge Melbourne
August - Cebu 70.3
September - Sunny Coast 70.3
November - Challenge Phuket
December - Taupo 70.3

Next year is when I really start my work towards the 2016 World Championships. Cebu is one of the first qualifying races and it looks like there a number of very strong Australians heading there to do the same as me. I also have the Taupo race to try as well. I have done a lot of really solid ground work in 2014 to get myself to a fairly competitive level and I am looking forward to taking it to the next level in 2015. I know there is plenty of room for improvement especially on my swim and run and I am looking forward to working with my coach to get there. I also have a number of my friends who are looking to complete their first triathlons in 2015 so I can't wait to work with them towards their goals.

So like my friends, good luck training, have fun and remember to TRI!

Finally got a running photo where both feet are in the air!!!