Another revenge!!??

Finishing a 70.3 in a sprint is an experience that is hard to forget. Missing 5th place by one second by doing so is even harder to forget. This year, I am back in Boise for another shot at that finish line.


Boise finish line!

Let me explain:
Last year, at kilometre 13 of the half marathon, I was wondering how my legs would carry me all the way to the finish line, I was very low on energy. At meter 600 before the finish, that long stretch in which all cards are played, I had been fighting since km13 with someone at my heels the whole way. I had now elaborated a strategy: I was going to let her pass now, resource myself for just a couple of seconds...and surprise her in a final sprint.




400m.... we are still running at the same speed, nothing is happening. I tell myself that now is the moment I have to prove to myself that I can be brave and this is my shot at 5th place, it is right there.....I know the feeling, it is the feeling of uncertainty that often proceeds great accomplishment. It feels just like the second before initiating a dive from a really high cliff or a first try of a snowboard stunt...there is no way to be sure about the outcome, all you know is that nothing will feel as good as if you succeed and that is what makes you turn off the switch -STOP THINKING AND JUST DO IT.

Your brain is yelling how much it hurts....at this point, you need to shut off the brain, turn on the heart and run for your life!!!! That’s what I did...all things being relative, I did my –Sprint-. It seemed to be successful at first...until the couple last steps before the line. I was sixth...by one second.

At the finish line that day. I started thinking about how it was going to feel in two weeks from now. I am getting a second shot at that line, there is something special about this race.

Many things make it unique. The experience I just described, of course....but also, the course. The race feels like a journey. There are two transitions, which I love. Starting at point A and finishing at point B is always something I enjoy. The swim starts on an elevated reservoir (on the top of a dam), after transition you bike across the dam and race down a hill. The bike course takes you through the country and includes some nice hills. The run is amazing, it starts and finished in downtown Boise and goes through some shaded areas along a bike path. And there is the stretch into the finish...just amazing. Oh, and did I mention it was an afternoon race? That should be something too!





I had my first contact with Bruce Regensburg and Dan Smith from Lifesport at that race, which was also something to remember and the newest thing that will make this race special is that my buddy Linsey will be there to fight just like last year...of course, mom will be cheering for me too.
I’m excited about this one!






Just a couple more days of hard work...and at this point when motivation is high...hard work just sounds like fun!