Not everything in life goes as you expect it to do!! – Sometimes you have to dare to take one step back to be able to take two steps forward. I choose to take an optimistic view on the recently ended world championship in Hawaii, and be pleased with my 14th place, even though the placement didn’t live up to my expectations.
What went wrong? Well, I could give you a million of good excuses, which in it self is great, cause that means that there are room for improvements. But to sum up all the ”flaws”, is something I see as discouraging. So instead of writing a blog about what went wrong, I’ll rather use my energy on writing about what I did right, and what I am planning to do in the future.
Hawaii is my favourite event – I love everything about Hawaii! The heat, the medias, the sponsors, the dolphins, the energy-lab, the atmosphere etc. (however, they forgot to turn on the heat in Hawaii this year) – I feel inspired the minute I set my feet on the Big Island, so I am already looking forward to next year. It’s also all these elements, that make Hawaii so special along with the fact, that you only have that one shot – and then you have to wait a whole year, before you get the chance again (hopefully). Last year I ended up on an 8th place, which I was super pleased about. This year it “only” became a 14th place, so the next 12 months can’t go fast enough. I need to improve my placement!!!
Luc and I have made a plan – ready, set, GO!
Okay, well, back to my race report! The swimming all in all, went as it should – I have been swimming really well throughout the whole year, and I was sure that I would be close to the first group. I get bad start and find myself in front position in the second group! However that is too slow for me, and I spot the first group ahead. I am pretty good at orientating in the water (if I should say so myself), and I spot my good friend Mary Beth Ellis break away from our group, trying to catch up with the first group. I start to follow her, and we connect with the first group right before the turning point. Unfortunately I miss them again, as I am reacting too slowly, and thereby find myself swimming alone on the last part. Well done, Vesterby!! As if that wasn’t enough, it turns out that the second group, led by Rachel Joyce, has moved up on my right side and they are getting out of the water together with me!!! So, solo-swimming next to a group!! So no slipstream for me, bummer!
On the bike I get a good start, and I find myself in a group with Daniela Ryf, Caroline Steffen and Rachel Joyce – I’m thinking YES! You better stay here, Michelle! But within 20 km it’s like the air goes out of the balloon, Yeahhhh, it’s actually very close to same scenario from South Africa and at the Challenge Roth earlier this season. Bummer! – Because it’s usually on the bike I feel at my best. BUT I think the error has been located, soooo we won’t se this happening again! And that’s final!
I fight the best I have learned and the 180 km are really – really long! Especially because I am used to being in control here!
I place my bike way lower in the field, than I usually do – maybe as number 15! And yes, by this time I have actually given up. I am thinking “CRAP! maybe I should just go home”. But I could never really let myself do that! The fact that I am in the bottom area, after the biking, and that I have to fight my way up during the race, is a situation I’ve never been in before, so mentally – I wasn’t prepared at all, to the fact that I actually had a chance of being in the top 10. So with a little negative and quitting-attitude I start moving into the race. I try to smile the best I have learned (KEEP SMILING), in order to get some positive energy in, but it doesn’t really help! I am fighting the best I can – 42 km are really long and the smile starts to stiffen a bit. ;o) – I end up running a 3.20 Marathon, which I am no way near satisfied about! My running has become so much better and I really wanted to show that! But hey, I will be back!! It was an expensive lesson to learn – but I have learned SO MUCH! And the most important lesson of them all, is that you must never give up, before the finish line has been crossed!
I wrote in the beginning, that I would write about what I did right. ;o))) It’s gonna be a very small section! Haha!
Okay, it all sums up to;
I DIDN’T GIVE UP!!!