Kansas 70.3 Race Report

Today was my first race of the US season, Kansas 70.3. I have managed to get some good training under my belt over the past few weeks in Boulder, so was looking forward to seeing where I was at against the competition over this side of the globe…and what better way to gauge a measure of my progress than race against the world’s best in Chrissie Wellington! Chrissie is the type of athlete that comes around once in a life time…if lucky. I look up to her as both a person and an athlete, so it was awesome to be toeing the start line with her.



Race start was an early 6.30am, which was good so as to beat the heat. The 1.9km swim was a one lapper in the Clinton Park Lake. It took me a while to get going in the swim, but after about a kilometre I started to find my rhythm. I exited the water in 5th place, made up a place in T1, and headed out onto the bike course in 4th.



The 90km 1 lap bike course took us out through the hilly back roads of Lawrence, Kansas. The roads were smooth and the winds favourable for the first half of the bike. I was feeling strong and managed to reel in one of the lead girls at about kilometre 40. With about 15 kilometres to go I was passed by another girl, where I then held my position and headed out onto the run in 4th.



The 2 lap 21.1km run course wound through the Clinton Park campgrounds and dropped down to the lake car park, where we then had to climb up and out of. The first lap felt fairly average, and I knew that if I were to hold my position then I would have to get moving. Luckily I started to feel a lot stronger in the final 10km and ended up running a PB 21.1km time of 1.27. I crossed the finishing line in 4th place Pro female, about 2min down on 3rd and some 18min down from Chrissie (if you want to be the best, you have to race the best!)



I was aiming for a top 6 finish so was pleased to come away with 4th and gain some more World Champs qualifying points and a tonne of experience that I will take with me into my next race at Buffalo Springs, TX in 2 weeks’ time.



Thanks to Cheryl for providing us with such a great homestay, it definitely helps me to stay relaxed prior to a race knowing that I’ve got a comfy bed to sleep in! Also a huge thanks to Sam for making the trek to Kansas with me and taking awesome photos and keeping Mum and Dad updated back home.

My result today gives me the confidence I need going into a season of tough racing over here in the US and it is a stepping stone to bigger and better things to come in the future. Happy days :)