ITU Aquathlon World Championships - Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand

One the best parts of being a triathlete is having the opportunity to travel to amazing places to compete in races, then taking time afterward to do some exploring.  Last year I got to see Beijing, China, which is a place that I likely never would have visited were it not for the opportunity to compete there at ITU World Championships.  This year, I got to go to New Zealand and had the trip of a lifetime!

Walking in the parade of nations

The atmosphere at the World Championships is like no other race I've ever done.  You walk in the parade of nations, surrounded by your teammates, and athletes from all over the world.  People line the streets just to watch to you pass by and cheer and wave!  You may even get the opportunity to meet some of your favorite professional athletes.  I got to meet Jonathon Brownlee.  Watching one of the U23 races, he rode up on his bike and hung out for about half an hour cheering for team GB.  He told us all about Alistair having to get his appendix taken out before his trip to Brazil (awesome!)

me, Jonathon Brownlee, and Charles

Last year Chris "Macca" McCormack came the same after party I was attending and we had a beer together.  

SO, the race!  This year I opted out of bringing along a bike and competed only in the Aquathlon.  It was a 1000 meter swim and 5k run. The water in Auckland Bay was the coldest I have ever swam in, about 55 degrees, and only my second salt water swim.  It was tricky course as the tides changed the direction of the currents depending on your time of day.  At 2pm for my race, there was a strong current into the wharf.  SO swimming out was difficult, and at the end of wharf, the water was extremely choppy from the high waves.  

Of course that means the water pushed you into the finish, so the swim into the platform was quick!  My swim was only okay.  I think I swim much better without my wetsuit, but clearly can't skip that in 55 degree water!!  I came out of the water in 27th position.  

swim start in Auckland

The run was a completely flat course, with strong wind drafts near the water.  I had a great run despite pulling my calf with a mile and half to go.  (I pulled it 10 days before the race in Atlanta and had been nursing it - it got the job done as best it could).  I posted the 10th fastest run time in my AG moving up to 21st place.    Charles' wave started 30 minutes before mine and he was nearly finished before I started the swim.  I was thrilled to see him when I exited the water and started on my run. He placed 13th in his AG at his 4th World Championships.

Me and Charles, after the race

Cheering on my fellow Team USA members

Last year on the 13 hour flight to Beijing, Analise and I sat next to Geoffrey Kennedy, one of Team USA's paratriathlete competitors.  I was thrilled to see him again this year!  If you are need of some inspiration, I recommend going to watch the Paratriathlon races.  These athletes have the most incredible stories and overcome unbelievable obstacles to be here.

Geoffrey, Bronze medal winner for the USA

After the race I spent 2 weeks traveling all over New Zealand.  It was fantastic to see people everywhere we went wearing gear from the World Championships to identify them as other athletes doing the same thing.  We ran in to athletes from Canada, the Netherlands, Great Britain  etc. all easily identifiable with the same ITU hoody I was wearing!

kayaking to the Tasman Sea

Kayaking in the Milford Sound

Sunset on the beach near Dunedin

Lake Marian

The Blue pools

En route to the Milford Sound - near Lord of The Rings filming locations

playing with the Kea's

Scenic view on our drive 

on the way to the Milford Sound in the fog

At the Champagne pool (my photo contest entry photo for the Enterprise!) 

And so, my 2012 season has come to an end.

Looking ahead at 2013 I only have a few races picked so far.  First, the New Orleans Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon, The USAT National Championsips (of course!), and the ITU World Championships in London in both the Aquathlon and Sprint Distance events.  .