Ebola, Isis, Ebola, Isis, Isis, Ebola. Fox news has little hope for humans. Terrorists terrorizing terrorists I call it. The answer to Ebola ?. African isolation. The answer to ISIS ?. War.
Why are we so preoccupied with war?
Such a cruel construct, encompassing pain, loss, triumph and probable death. (Aside from oil) We want power, we want control, or riches, or democracy, or land, or command, or people. It is the human condition to be ‘better’ than others, to ‘better’ others. That is where elite sport comes in- some morphine for our situation. It satiates our primal desires without death and destruction. Armory and influence are balanced from the offset. The battles are tighter, fairer and nobody has to die. Sport is not a pointless endeavor. It is a metaphor and an example to war and whilst it can’t solve this world’s problems- it can offer hope, example and relief.
I am so very privileged to have found my solace in elite sport. I get to exert all my primal desires on ‘safe’ territory. My ‘enemies’ are, in fact, friends. The battlefields I visit are hospitable, at the least and often paradisaical. Failure and victory, are relatively inconsequential.
Relatively. Because there are moments in defeat (all be them very rare) that it can feel like something has died. It is momentary though, professional sportspeople get to resurrect ourselves on an annual basis. We get war without the danger.
If racing is my war then my fourth place at the World Championships would class as a battle win. A result that leaves more to be done but a truth that it can be done and that I have the ability to win the World Championships. I am not absolutely sure I believed that going into Kona 2014. In 2015, that will be different. That is in itself a victory-a chance for resurrection.
My Ironman racing evolution has been an extraordinary experience. I, in real terms, am a novice Ironman- Kona being my 7th Ironman. As a student of this grueling sport I have made pacing and nutritional errors in each race I have done. I finally nailed my first Ironman on Saturday. I executed that race as best I possibly could.
In sport, as in life, as in war, it is often harder to deal with the errors of others than one’s own. Uncontrollable factors in a race that affect the race dynamic: - whether that is another racer, the weather or a referee’s decision.
I was given a penalty at 30km into the 180km ride – having led 90% of the race. I was told that it was given for ‘taking too long to pass Meredith Kessler as I was re assuming the lead’.
It was a bad call on a few levels -the most relevant being that it was absolutely, abundantly clear that I was not trying to gain unfair advantage. The second being, that it wasn’t true.
When I was carded I was travelling at 40km per hour, leading the race. I had decisions to make and had to make them quickly. I say that, but in all truth there are no decisions to be made when you get a penalty – no argument to be had, no discussion, control is usurped. It Just Is. Much like a soldier – you are under command to stand down.
That was the best decision I have made in racing right there. ‘It .Just .Is’
I served 4 minutes in the 45km penalty tent. I probably lost five in reality.
I stopped, I waited, I watched and I exhaled. I felt nothing, not even anger – just control. For the first time in my life I chose tepid temper over my bubbling temper.
I resumed racing in about twelfth position having had to watch each contender ride by on and up the road. I chased all but the front group of three down by 170 km. Whilst I finished 4th in the World Championships it was only the champion Mirinda Carfrae that got actually got to pass and beat me on the field. That is pretty weird.
You learn a lot racing from the back – more than you do from racing off the front. You also learn much more from fourth place than first. The way I raced on the run was a demonstration of a different way of thinking from me. A tactical way of thinking that I have always been capable of but never had to really practice.
Having caught Mary Beth Ellis at 10 km she re passed me at 11 km but I dropped her at 12 km. Caroline ran passed me at 21 km and again at 25 km and again at 32 km. Three times and three times I responded. There is my progression right there.
I am proud of myself and I am itching for more, I can’t sleep for dreams, I think I have a lot more. That is the thing about the World Championships – they only happen once a year and so we all must wait and prepare for the 2015 war and all that this crazy life will bring to it.
Before the race I told Chrissie that my quote for the day would be Ernest Hemingway’s “By "guts" I mean, grace under pressure”, and I had it written on my peak. I think, and I hope, that I did show guts on Saturday. I sure as hell know that the other girls in the top ten did.
Congratulations Rinny Carfrae, Daniella Ryf, Rachel Joyce, Caroline Steffen, Julia Gager, Liz Lyles, Gina Crawford, Mary Beth Ellis and Liz Blatchford. Top ten in the world. My enemies on the race field but my allies and friends for 360 days of the year.
World peace, Iron war.
Mahalo
Many thanks to my team :- Coach - Siri Lindley, Manager - Nic Lamond, Chiro-Lawrence Van Lingen, Treatment-Boulder- Todd Plymale-Mallory , Treatment-Cape Town - Rob Beffa/Francois Retief
Sponsors :- Tyr Sport, Scott Bikes, Enve Composites, 32gi, cobb saddles, rotor, smith optics,computrainer
Supporters :- Scicon, Saucony, Rallysport