I always say that you can have plan A and plan B for Ironman but you usually end up with plan X anyway. This race just proved it, i end up with changing plan all the time and racing just with listening to my body and my feelings
Here is just few things about my race, my weekend in Brazil and my preparation:
Two weeks to go: my training was going exceptionally well and i was feeling strong and excited about the race!
One week to go: I caught some virus and stomach bug…grrr…so from Sunday till Thursday morning i was just in bed trying to get better and healthier and thinking if i should go or not. But I was slowly getting better, so I decided to fly even I knew I will not be 100% on race day.
Florianopolis – It was my 4th time in Brazil but 1st time in Floripa and i just loved that place. Great nature and people.
Accommodation – I think that was highlight of my stay in Brazil. I was extremely lucky to get in touch with Leandro, coach of Medlay triathlon club and share house with crazy 15 Brazilians athletes. Not only i had lot of fun with them but they were also extremely caring and helpful. I know I have few very good friends in Brazil now and they will be main reason why I will most probably come back!
dinner with my brazilian friends
Night before the race – I was off to bed very early – due to jet lag, 5h difference from SA, at 6pm. Unfortunately at the same time started wedding of owner of disco club about 200m from our house. And it was true disco style wedding! To say that music was loud is understatement. Even i had my ear plugs, all i could hear whole night was just…duc duc duc….grrr….i was ready to kill…
Swimming – pro athletes started about 1,5m ahead of all age group athletes. So at the time we hit the water, i had feeling like i am in huge washing machine and had about 100 people trying to swim over me. All i could do was just to try and stay close to the surface. Luckily after first boy it calmed down a bit and i placed myself comfortably in the middle of first pack. Just before end of first lap, big wave caught me, rolled me over and i lost my goggles….panic…what to do now…oh well, not much choice here, so lets swim. Second lap was interesting, I do not recommend swimming without goggles in ocean salt water, it burns:( So most of my swim I literally did blind, I was just trying to feel feet of person in front of me. Despite of it i had very good swim and finished as a 1st lady and 5th overall.
Beautiful morning for start
Cycling – I felt great…for 60km, then someone punctured my legs (sickness week before) and i lost all my power. I was thinking to stop and give up so many times but I just kept going and paddling. Amy passed me after 130km and I was just trying to go my own pace and don’t look too much what is happening around me. I really liked the bike course but low point was drafting. All i could see behind me was huge pelotons of athletes.
going hard on my P3:)
Running – everyone was warning me about hills in first lap but they still took me by surprise…soooo steep! I was trying of i can catch Amy but the gap was same all the time and with my energy slowly disappearing i decided to focus on keeping my 2nd place. I focus on keeping my own pace, stay relax and try to smile to people cheering. But last 10km I really had to dig deep and give my all because 3rd girl – Brazilian, was running well and was catching me.
still smiling at the top of the hill
Finish line – last 2km really hurt, all i could see was just that finish line. I still managed to smile and high five with people. Then i crossed finish line, did two steps more and…..collapsed. Next 4h i spent in medical tent, got 5 drips, 2 injections and was throwing up. After 2h i was moved to special part of medical tent – there intensive care section where they started to monitor my blood pressure, sugar level, oxygen level, heart and not sure what else:) Luckily i got better and was spare of visit to local hospital.
happy to finish 2nd
Travelling back - flight from Floripa to Sao Paulo sweet and short, flight from Sao Paulo to Joburg – cancelled…grrr…another 9h on airport:(
Ironman Brazil - great race in great place with great people. It really is one of the races “must do” and I am very happy that i went. I am also happy and proud to toughen up and finished 2nd even I know it wasn’t my best day. But quite honestly, which Ironman is 
I would like to say thank you to all my supporters and sponsors – Emotion cycling, Kiwami, Troisport (First Endurance), Compressport SA, Suunto, Cebe glasses, Blueseventy and Asics SA!
