Sunday 19.2. was very special day for me, it was quite few 1st – first time in Sri Lanka, first place in the race and our first anniversary.
70,3 Sri Lanka was truly unique race. My goal before I came there was to see something different and to try to win. Both goal were successfully accomplished:) It was first ever triathlon in Sri Lanka and if you add crazy traffic in Colombo, you know race will be “fun”. Swim was one lap in Indian ocean, well marked and without wetsuit. Which is good for me and my trusty Blueseventy speedsuit PZ3TX. I was leading small second group and was first woman out of the water with lead bit over 2 minutes.
Bike course was 3 laps and very quickly I realized that this will be real adventure. Despite having one lane on road designated for cyclist, soon it was clear that fastest biker will be the one with most courage and technical skills to avoid everything on the road – from some potholes, slalom in between cars, buses, local three wheels tuk tuks, dogs and even birds. I decided to take bike easy and just to survive without any crash. In 3rd lap Christie Sym caught me and we finished cycling together.
Run was hard thanks to scorching heat and humidity. But lot of volunteers around the course and at aid station made it easier. I got quickly into my rhythm and run steadily away from Christie and just controlled the pace and gap to other girls and made sure to drink enough. I was even walking through every aid station just to make sure i get enough water and local Kik Cola.
It was great to win my second ever title at 70,3 series and I believe there is still more to come:)
It was truly different experience but that’s why I love triathlon, to get to see new countries and meet new people. Huge thank you is to all the organizers to make race happen and to all my sponsors and friends for their support!
