Well that didn’t exactly go the way I thought it would. After last years dip towards the end of the season, I had planned to delay training and hence not be near the shape I was in at this stage last year, but 22nd was a bit out of hand.

Great car with huge room for our bikes!

Things started out really well. I had a great swim coming out the water a fair distance ahead of those I swam with in the Buffelspoort Xterra, had a nice fast transition and had a decent bike. It wasn’t spectacular but neither is the shape I’m in. The run is where it all went pear-shaped. I ran out hard feeling reasonably strong but as soon as we hit the hill I just kept slipping backwards. My running has been a little off the pace in the last few years but it was like someone swapped my racers for lead as the rest of the field breezed past me.

So although the quantity of training was planned, the niggles and injuries certainly were not. The result: Much frustration and feel like my self-esteem has been run over by a bus. It’s times like these however where your friends show their value. I’ve had so many messages from everyone and its amazing how much it helps pick you up. We all go through up’s and down’s and as we all should know, it’s not important how often you get knocked down in life, what matters is whether you get up or not. Attitude is everything!