2022 Tri SEASON REVIEW
MY MOST SUCCESSFUL RACING SEASON SO FAR…
Finishing 2022 on a high with a Silver in the blue-ribbon event – the Olympic distance World Triathlon Age Group Championships in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi was my 8th appearance at a World Triathlon event and my first podium. My previous best placing was 4th in Edmonton in 2014 and I never thought it would take another 8 years before I beat that and got on the podium. A few disappointing performances, illness and a pandemic have all contributed. But eventually persistence, hard work and patience have paid off.
Whilst I still hunger for Gold, this was my year to get SILVER. I crossed the line knowing I had done my best, no mistakes, no missed chances, an intelligent focused race that showed the work I’ve put in.
I don’t consider myself particularly athletically talented, just determined, and persistent (stubborn). I’m still learning to appreciate the good results and learn from the bad, and it’s a work in progress not to attach my self-worth to a particular result and appreciate what I can do. My competitive ego has a habit of diminishing my achievements.
A big fat thanks you to my triathlon coach Jacqui, S&C coach Arthur, mindset coach Eileen, masseur Romano and my friends and family for all the support and well wishes. Looking forward to celebrating with you and enjoy some downtime over Christmas and New Year.
For full results from the 2022 season read below, and a bit more detail on how I made this year my most successful year of triathlon racing.
2022 Race season results - with 3 age group medals
Cannes International Triathlon 1st Vet
Eton Sprints World Qualifier 6th in AG
Olsztyn European Triathlon 1st in AG GOLD
Eastbourne Sprint triathlon 2nd in AG
Shropshire Standard Triathlon 6th in AG
Bilbao European Aquathlon 3rd in AG BRONZE
Dubrovnik Triathlon 2nd Overall
Abu Dhabi World Triathlon 2nd in AG SILVER
THE PLAN - NEW COACH, NEW EQUIPMENT AND MORE
I started 2022 with a new coach, who has been instrumental in my success this year. I’ve worked with some amazing coaches who have been very experienced and knowledgeable but at the end of the day it’s about the collaboration and communication between coach and athlete that really matters. A coach that truly listens to me, takes account of my life outside triathlon, and knows how to win at the age group level. She has helped me navigate the road of training and perimenopausal hormone changes and helped to instil the believe that I can win.
As well as a new coaching relationship I invested in 3 key changes, one for the swim, one for the bike and one for the run.
SWIM
A new custom made Snugg wetsuit designed by swimming legend Richard Stannard. Whilst repairing my old snugg wetsuit for the 2021 Aquathlon World Championships Richard said he could make me a faster wetsuit. He did – I reckon the new Snugg is approximately 20 seconds quicker over 750m than my old Snugg.
BIKE
A bike fit with the king of aerodynamics Matt Bottrill. I’ve had bike fits before but not by Matt Bottrill. So, a few changes, new bars and importantly a new aero helmet which I could actually see out of when in the TT position all helped to improve my bike times. Together with my bike and strength training I can safely say I no longer consider my bike a weakness. In Poland I had the 2nd fastest bike time and in Abu Dhabi I had the 3rd fastest bike time in the age group.
run
Targeted strength training with and Arthur has made me stronger and more resilient. This has enabled consistent week in week out training without injury or niggles. I now have hamstrings I can feel.
EUROPEAN CHAMPION F45-49 GOLD MEDAL
part 2: BUILDing to WORLDS
The 2022 season was very much a game of two halves with Europeans in May and Worlds in November. That would have been a very long season and I’ve often had disappointing results at Worlds at the end of a season because I’m mentally and physically tired. This year would be different. My coach and I split the season, with a big break of 6 weeks in the middle. It was a risk but to quote Albert Einstein – “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” I restarted structured triathlon training on the 1st of August to give me 16 weeks to train for Abu Dhabi World Championships. It was humbling to race just a month into this block at Shropshire Triathlon 2023 World Qualifier against ladies in my age group who were in peak form, and a lack lustre 6th place was the result. It showed me how much work I had to do.
Mid-way through the 16 weeks I raced at Bilbao European Aquathlon championships. Whilst not yet in peak form, a bronze medal result was a good confidence booster and helped me keep my focus. With Worlds at such a weird time I was concerned that a lack of racing would impact the result. Thankfully, I found Dubrovnik triathlon to compete in mid-October, 6 weeks away from the main event. This would be a perfect opportunity to test out my form and gain some race fitness. A fantastic race and 2nd place, helped to reinforce my love of competing and triathlon.
beautiful bike course in dubrovnik triathlon
Now it was down to the last 6 weeks of prep. A lot can go right in 6 weeks, but a lot can go wrong too. Jacqui and I sat down and meticulously planned the final lead up. She oversaw training, but it was my responsibility to get myself in the best position to complete those training sessions well. To prioritize recovery, nutrition, and logistics. To make sure that the I’s were dotted and the t’s crossed.
I love a good list, and as an accountant I love stats and numbers. So, I gave myself 10 daily commandments to try and stick too. Aiming that if I could achieve an 8 out of 10 of these, I would put myself in the best form possible.
The 10 commandments included;
complete my training,
sleep 7-9hrs,
daily meditation,
immune boosting cold showers,
check my equipment and race logistics,
heat training,
recovery protocols - regular yoga, massages, and S&C
keep on top of nutrition with +5 a day fruit and vegetables,
reduce alcohol, crisps and chocolate consumption and…
get to race weight (56kg) for me slowly and sensibly. A slight increase than previous years as I now have bigger muscles, yay!
FINISH LINE FEELS - YAY SILVER MEDAL
I achieved 9 out of 10! Now I just had to take care of the final few days in Abu Dhabi pre-race and ensure that didn’t make any mistakes during the race and showed what I could do. I proud to say I did that. Keeping calm and focused on race day and producing a result that reflected my training and preparation. I’m still thirsty for Gold but 2022 was my time for Silver.