annett kamenz - triathlete

Racing at Great White North, or how I got myself a cute moose...

Last Sunday I started for the third time at the Great White North triathlon, the biggest local race. Having come third, then second, I wanted to win. But so did my competition. I woke up on race morning excited and a bit nervous, knowing that it will be a good race with Kristina and Tanya, both previous winners. Also, having seen at Oliver how close the women’s field is getting these days, you never know who else will be going in for the win. Arriving at the race site I went through my usual pre-race procedure, talked to a bunch of friends racing or volunteering, and then took a little quiet time just listening to my tunes to get me ready for the race. I like to “talk” to my legs and ask them if they have any idea of what I am going do to them today ;-)...I think it’s pretty funny that you are sitting there pre- race totally relaxed, with nothing hurting, but knowing that in four and a half hours everything will feel just toast.

The swim start came sudden. I didn’t hear a countdown or gun; just saw the big guys next to me start running...oh, oh, there we go. Literally closing my eyes I just put my head down and tried to hammer the first 400m. All I thought was that I need to go hard and get some feed to not lose too many minutes to Kristina, and whoever else swims like a fish. I never looked up, just trusted that the other “first-row-standers” are good swimmers who will tunnel me in the right direction. They did :-)! Out of breath, and with a bit more room to swim I tried to get into a manageable rhythm, focusing on my stroke. I was swimming the remainder of loop one next to another female, but then was able to close the gap to two guys in front of me while running around the turn-around buoy. Swimming in a draft made loop two feel way better. Into T1, I was happy to check-off the swim, and getting onto my bike. Even though I push myself in the swim I always feel like my race starts in T1. Still working on the swimming though :-).

Right from the beginning I felt pretty good on the bike. I passed a bunch of the faster swimmers, but didn’t really know where I was in terms of the women’s field. I totally went by feel, peaked at my power output here and there to make sure I am not overdoing it into the headwind. Getting closer to the turnaround point I saw the first guys coming back, and counted. It was no surprise to see that Kyle was the first coming back. I counted about six more guys while getting closer and closer to the turn- around point and began to wonder where the other women were. I am sometimes so in my zone that I do not even notice whom I pass. (Back in 2006 during my first Ironman I ran by my own boyfriend without recognizing it, only once he called my name I turned around to realize). Anyway, it wasn’t until I saw the turn-around that I also saw Kristina, and then knew that I already rode into second position. I was surprised to see her so early in the race knowing how strong a cyclist she is (holding the bike record). I kept on getting closer and then could pass her on the uphill at km 50. I was excited to be in first, as I have never been in the lead at a Half-Ironman race. Usually coming from behind, I had managed to make it into the top 3 several times, but have been always short to make it all the way to first. Still though, the race isn’t over until it’s over. However, when I kept on passing two more guys (Jason and Jason :-)), I knew that I must have a pretty good race right now. The last 500m to T2 I changed into my small chain ring, spinning at a high cadence to hopefully have a smooth transition.

Hopping off the bike is like the first moment of truth. It never feels that great. Then starting to run out of T2 is moment number two, and often already feels way better. It did so this time as well (better than in Oliver anyway). Partially, because my friends Noni and Byron were cheering for me from the top of their lungs. Made me smile. I headed out following the bicycle in front of me. Never saw a prettier bike to follow by foot, haha. However, I’m sure the rider must have wondered how I will make it through that run, since I sounded awful for the first 2-3km until I found my rhythm, and breathing. At around 3.5km I had the first chance to see what kind of gap I had to Kristina and whoever else was coming behind her. It was about 2min.. I also noticed that Tanya, who was in third looked smoking fast. So I just tried to put one foot in front of the other as fast as I could. At about 6km I saw my coach Kevin and our APTS group cheering. Kevin told me to stay relaxed, a comment that came at the exact right time. Just relaxing my shoulders and arms, and let the legs do all the work seemed to make my running feel “easier”. Again, I ran totally by feel, not checking my splits or anything. I just focused on a quick turnover and good form, and did in my head what I usually do ;-). At the halfway point I could check again what was going on behind me. I was happy to see that my gap had been growing to about 3.5 minutes to Tanya and 4.5min to Kristina. A bit relieved I thought to myself, I JUST have to make it back the way I came out. It’s that easy, haha. Then I was back in my zone, focused on keeping my rhythm, not thinking about the outcome really. Just pushing it home.

I was amazed and touched by all the people, whether on the sideline or racers themselves who kept on cheering for me. A race at home really is something special. At the third turn-around point with only 4km to go I knew I won. Seeing the again bigger gap I told myself that no matter what happens I will cross this line first. I locked my eyes on my rabbit (the cyclist), and / or the runner next to me, and counted down the meters. With about 500m to go I was smiling again, hearing my friends Teresa and Jason, and just realizing that I really had made it. Turning onto the finishing stretch was the first time I saw a time…another reason to smile. A win, a new bike record, and a PB of 4hr20min14sec.

Overall, my training group APTS had a fantastic weekend, with lots of athletes posting a PB or finishing their first Half Ironman successfully. It was great to be a part of this. I love triathlon for many reasons, an important one sure are the people. Thanks to Wade, and everybody that helped him to get this race organized for the 19th time. Thanks to the volunteers and all the friends that came to cheer. And, thanks to Kevin Masters, for believing in me, supporting me and getting me to where I am at as a triathlete. I plan on coming back in 2011.