Challenge Shepperton
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Clarinda Campbell
I was pretty excited for Challenge Shepperton it would be my first half distance since world champs and after a disappointing result in Moolalaba I was really keen to get back a little bit of redemption. I didn't have the best preparation for this race, crashing two weeks before and having to get some last minute work on a really tight hamstring on race week, but once miller and I the 8 hour trip to Shepperton everything felt great and I was ready to go!
On race morning it was a very cold 10 degrees on the walk down to transition, it was probably the most relaxed I've felt before a 70.3 distance, once I had my transition sorted I was in the water for a quick warm up and ready to go.
I felt like I swam pretty good, at the first turn bouy about 500m into the race I was around 10m off the back of the front pack, once we turned the bouy the gap started to open up but I was happy to hold on for a good amount of time. I exited the water in a pretty good position and was keen to get on the bike.
On the bike it was very windy and cold, the course was on some very open country roads and there was no hiding from the wind, I was solo for the whole 90km and the crosswind really hurt me and exposed me a little to much, but that is the beauty of this so sport there is always so much to work on and grow as an athlete.
I was off the bike in 2nd place but first was way up the road and to be honest the bike smashed me I just wanted to get to the finish line in one piece. I ran as hard as I could and tried to limit the gap as much as possible. I was happy to finally see the finish line! It was an absolute brutal day where I learnt so much, I finished 2nd 18-24 and 19th overall. It was far from perfect but good start to the season, I'm so keen for 70.3 Western Sydney in 2 weeks.
I would like to say thanks to my sponsors Peak fitness, Raine & Horne, Fusion multi sport, Wild ginger, ASPORT and elite energy. Always a massive thanks to my parents and girlfriend for everything they do for me!
Shout out to my coach Nathan Miller who made his pro debut and finished 9th with an unreal result and more big things to come!
Till next one..
Cheers!
