When a Hero Comes Along

This week we witnessed one of the greatest sporting achievements in Australian history -Cadel Evans winning the Tour de France. The reaction from individuals in response to Evans' win has been astounding and has been felt across the globe. To most, this is a feel good news story that brings about a sense of pride to be an Australian. However, as evident in Mia Freedman's comments on the Today Show, where she publicly dissed Evans, it appears that not everyone feels the same amount of pride and excitement with Evans claiming the victory and being labelled as a hero. While everyone is entitled to there own opinion, the platform that Freedman declared hers was possibly not the most appropriate and as such she has received a backlash of criticism.

Freedman's issue is centred around the publicity that Evans has obtained and the hero status that he now owns. In her eyes a hero should be someone who saves lives and has a positive impact on the community, such as nurses, doctors, fire fighters, etc. Whilst I totally agree with her opinion there, a hero is that and so much more.

Everyone's definition of a hero is different. My definition of a hero is a person that someone can look up to and who has a positive impact on ones life. They do not have to directly save lives, as with doctors and nurses, however they can give someone something to live for and the morals to strive towards. To some people, professional sporting people are a a bunch of overpaid ego-centric individuals, however to others they are the role models that kids look up to. They give them the determination to succeed not just in a sporting context, but in life. Evans victory will inspire children across the country to take a chance, believe in themselves and work towards a goal, thus having a positive impact on their life. Additionally, what his victory has done for Australian cycling is yet to truly been seen. However, if it means that people are more active, more health conscious and more driven to succeed, then I believe that someone such as him should be classed as a hero.

Like so many other individuals, both in a sporting and non-sporting context, Evans victory did not come easy. He opitimizes the Australian spirit. What we viewed over the past three weeks was not an overnight success. Evans put in years and years of hard work and sacrifice. What we as spectators do not see is the countless hours of pain, hurt, disappointment and frustration that he has gone through to achieve his goal. He has showed that through belief, hard work and a strong support network that nothing is impossible.

To many Cadel may have come across as the underdog. Many had written him off from the start. However, that is what makes success such as his all the more special. In a sometimes confusing and negative world, he may have given hope and confidence to people to pursue their dreams and something to live for. As seen in the 2008 AFL Grandfinal, from the outside Hawthorn were given next to no chance of winning the flag, however through perseverance and belief they showed that they could achieve what others thought impossible. In my eyes, that 2008 Hawthorn team are my heroes. Crawf is my hero. He does not save lives and conquer the worlds issues, however he is the type of role model that children can look up to and that I look up to. Not because he is a footy player, but because he has the attitude towards life that I strive for.

The way I see it, if someone positively impacts your life, gives you a reason to live for, gives you someone to look up to and shows you that through determination and hard work that the impossible can be achieved, then that person should be classed as a hero.

Vegas!

The main goal for this year was to qualify as a professional triathlete for the 2011 World 70.3 Championships, which are to be held in Las Vegas on September 11. While it came down to the wire, I am stoked to say that I made the first round cut, qualifying in 21st position. The road to qualifying has not been an easy one, with five 70.3's in 10 weeks, however with the support of my coach Josh Rix, sponsors, family, friends and Sam, it has all been worth it!



To go from my first attempt at the distance at the Shepparton Half Ironman in November 2010 where I swore I would never do one again, to now where I have qualified as one of the top 25 girls in the world is a huge achievement for me, especially at such a young age. While at times it can be super intimidating lining up against the best of the best in 70.3 racing, it has been such a great opportunity and a huge learning curve.

With less than 7 weeks until the big day, it is time to knuckle down and put in some more hard yards to ensure I am the fittest and strongest that I have ever been. I am looking forward to putting in a big block of training after having raced so often recently.

I am planing on competing at the Alcatraz triathlon on August 21 as a lead up race to Worlds. Alcatraz is one of my favourite triathlons and I can't wait to race there again!

Once again, thanks to all who have and continue to support me along the way of this amazing journey :)

Muncie 70.3 Race Report

Back in February Josh and I decided that I would to attempt to qualify for the 2011 World 70.3 Championships which are to be held in Las Vegas in September. The new WTC qualifying criteria for professionals state that the top 25 females on the ranking points as of July 18 would gain a start, with points from an athletes best five 70.3 results going towards ranking points. As of the end of April I had not yet raced in any 70.3 races, so it was always going to be a tough ask to fit in 5 races between then and now. However we worked out a plan that would hopefully provide me with the best opportunity to make the cut, as such I have raced five 70.3's in the past 10 weeks - Port Macquarie (April 29), Busselton (May 7), Kansas (June 12), Buffalo Springs (June 26) and Muncie (July 9). Not surprisingly my best results have come when I have been at my freshest (2nd at Port Mac and 4th at Kansas).

After having a more than average race at Buffalo Springs two weeks ago, I was looking at putting in a better performance at yesterday's race in Muncie, Indiana. I had managed to recover well from Buffalo Springs and had put together a week of really good training between the races. I was confident going into the race, with an aim of gaining a top 8 finish and some more valuable ranking points. The field was stacked, and it was once again awesome to race against some of the best athletes in the world (congrats to Mel Rollinson for a rocking 1st place and smashing the field!).

I raced fairly well but didn't feel my usual speedy self, with my legs feeling flat and the body tired. However, I still managed to finish within 5 minutes of my best time, finishing up in 9th place (one place out of my goal). It is going to come down to the line as to whether I make the cut for World Champs. I have done all I can in such a short period of time and it will now depend on results from athletes racing next weekend. I have learnt more about myself over these past 10 weeks than I could possibly have from just training, and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to race at the highest level in 70.3 competition.

I am looking forward to having about 6 weeks off racing and putting in a huge block of training up here in Boulder. I am still having the time of my life and I am loving training in such a great environment. Once again, thank you to my sponsors Malvern Star, Peak Bike Hub, Brooks, Selle SMP and Giro for joining me for the ride and making it that bit easier to achieve my goals :) Also thank you to Bill and Melissa for providing a great home stay in Muncie, I will definitely be back to race again next year!

WEEK 26 - Winter Wonderland

The one (and possibly only) bad thing about having an endless summer is missing ski season. However, the next best thing to do when one can't ski is to go play in the remaining snow that is left on the peaks of the Rocky Mountains. While it was 30+ degrees down in Boulder, it was a lot cooler up at 3000m where the winter wonderland awaited!