Coached Athlete Review…Balancing life with training and then Covid in the middle of her build up was not ideal for Dawn, but she had a great year doing a World Champs and a 70.3 within 7 days of each other! Read how she got on, and making sure she got a holiday out of it all as well…
I was lucky enough to qualify for a couple of GB events this year but because of other adventures(!) was only able to compete in the standard distance world champs in Torremolinos in October. I also like to do a 70.3 each year so looked for a race that might fit in whilst I was in Spain. As luck would have it there was an IM 70.3 in Marbella the week after the worlds.
I’d been coached by Brent a few years ago which culminated in me winning my age cat at Outlaw so 12 weeks out asked him to coach me again with Marbella being my main or A race.
Brent suggested 😉 I might like to do some actual races before the worlds/IM given I had only done a duathlon this year and suggested 😉 I needed to ‘get swimming’.. after a lapse of 4 months. How did it go.. well Bala standard – won my age category and did a local sprint tri which I did ok but missed podium.
Fast forward to the Worlds which was a fair race but a few technical challenges (broken tribar and watch that got kicked to off in the swim) plus some amazing fast women meant not my best AG result but I had a lovely day out 😁
On to lots of exploring Andalucia in the week before the 70.3 so not entirely rested but ready to race. Loved it.. not a bad result off 12 weeks training.. 7th in my age cat and 2nd GB.
Highlights – I’m getting better at balancing life with training and Brent was super supportive and understanding knowing I think, that I hold myself to account. Oh and racing abroad. Riding my bike in new places and competing will always be a highlight.
Low points – not many to be honest, covid in the middle of the training plan was a bit of a rascal but other than that, I count myself lucky to be able to do this stuff.
Not sure of my plans next year but there will be an adventure for sure. I’m booked on the swim training day in January and will focus on my running over the winter so watch this space.. what I do know is that Challenge Tri Camp’s recipe works and I love the structure of training .. so I’ll be back!
