NEWS

Forster Ultimate Race Report – Amanda Clark October 9th, 2017

Forster Ultimate 2k, 80km, 20km

The truth in triathlon is… you never know what is going to happen on race day.

I consider myself now a pretty experienced triathlete with over 12 long distance / Ultimate events and 2 Ironman events under my belt. But, as I said above, you never know how your body is going to react and no matter what your body does – your head is your number one tool. The most powerful tool you can have in endurance racing.

We were up and out the door nice and early to rack our bikes in transition. The weather was near perfect creating awesome race conditions. The sun was popping out between the clouds, the water was calm and there was the exiting nervous buzz from all the athletes getting ready for their race. I was surrounded by my boyfriend, sister, and heaps of friends from the Elite Energy crew, Moore Performance athletes and other friends we have made along the way from embracing the Elite Energy triathlon community.

I was feeling calm / not nervous – probably my first sign. Feeling nervous is a good thing, it means you are preparing yourself for your challenge ahead. I felt like I had put in the work as I am eight weeks our from Busselton Ironman so I knew I had this distance in the bag… well so I thought.

The next truth about triathlon. No matter what distance you are racing – it is always tough!

The swim started and I felt strong and confident in the water, knowing that I had been super consistent in my swim training of late. As time passed I started to feel heavy, I noticed I had no feet around me and I was swimming on my own. The swim felt long and I was not even half way. I started to just focus on my stroke knowing what my coach always says – swim with power, use your arms, long strokes and pull through. I always talk to myself in the swim. I thought I was doing ok, I was feeling tired, but too bad. As I exited the swim I looked at my time and distance. 42 min, 2.2km. I was stung with disappointment that overcame me. I was gutted. But, I had no time to waste, I had to get to my leg. The bike. As I was in T1 I saw my two friends were already heading out on the bike. More disappointment spread through my head and body. Triathlon is an individual sport and you can never compare yourself to others as you don’t know anything about their race, their training nor should it matter. Your race should be your race. Mine was not.

Truth number 3 – race for yourself and your goals – not others.

Onto the bike I go, I take a swig of electrolyte. What is happening……?? my legs are powerless, I’m feeling negative and I’m not happy. I look down at my garmin “performance – 9” oh no, I knew I was in trouble. I had to slow down my heart rate if I wanted to get the bike time I know I am capable of. I knew this was all in my head and that I had the power to control this. I keep peddling, I take a swig of water from my aero bottle – it was empty…. I must have a hole in my bottle as I filled it up this morning. I know how important it is to keep hydrated on the bike, I needed water ASAP if I wanted to pick up my game. Hydration on the bike is the key to a successful run. If you reach the run dehydrated, you are limiting your body as your muscles can not perform to their best without proper hydration. I overtake my girlfriend just before I get to the aid station, I slow down, drop bottle one, drop bottle two and finally manage to get bottle number three. (Thanks so much to the volunteers who spend their time helping us and giving us our water!!) Ok – I’ve got my water, I’m 10k into the 80km and I am way down on my time and power. I get the first turn around knowing that I had wasted that time as I was too busy focusing on other people rather than my stats and my race plan. I knew I had to change this attitude if I wanted to get a semi decent bike split. I’ve got this I said. Forget the pain, forget where everyone else is, forget your slow swim forget what your gamin said. You know you can ride so just get to it. Don’t ever under estimate what you can do – your mind is more powerful that what your body is telling you it is. I started to move, I was picking up speed and got the second turn around. Only 40km to go. I’ve got this I said again. I started feeling strong, I stared to ride to my power and my cadence – I started to do what my coach set out for me to do. I was back in my happy place. I started to love the ride, enjoy seeing my friends on the course and thinking how lucky I am to be here doing what I love.

Truth number four – embrace the race and the people in it

I set off on my run. Mentally, I am in a good place. Even though I was slightly under what I wanted in my ride I was happy that I overcame my negative mindset and pulled myself out of it to keep going. I got a massive cheer from all my friends and Jay Luke yelling my name wishing me luck over the mike. I was in 5^th place. That too made me feel good. I high fived my sister on the way out and then got to run with Peter Gillis who was doing the standard distance. That did not last very long, he was flying!! He just starting his first 1km and I was on my 10^th km. Seeing your mates on the course getting the thumbs up and seeing them working is such a fun motivator. Knowing that you all train together and are there to help support each other on the run is such a big booster. Thanks for all the #MPLOVE on the course today and all the other supports – you truly all make such a difference to all us athletes. You help me out more than you know.

The sun was out in full force and the hills were making my heart beat like crazy. Again, even though I was not running as fast as I had planned ( due to the unknown course elevation) I was still out there giving it a go, doing what I can. And the truth of it is – that is all you can ask for. Do the best you can on the day and be proud that you gave it ago. But you must remember to be brave (with in your limits) to push yourself to see what you can do.

The final truth. Do what you can and be proud of yourself for ‘having a go’.

I came thought he finish line in 4^th place in my age group, 7^th female over all. I had manage to overpower my negative thoughts of wanting to pull out due to the disappointment of my earlier efforts and overturned it into pride of being out there on the course with all other athletes giving it a go. If it was not for this community and culture that Elite Energy has raised of ‘it’s not about winning its about having a go’, I would not be where I am today, lacing up for my the Elite Energy Long Course Weekend! An Ironman distance race over three days! Elite Energy Australia – you create such inclusive events for so many people, a community that I am so proud to be a part of. Thank you to you all for all your time, effort, culture, community and love.