Fischer's Port Elizabeth ITU Triathlon African Cup report

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Tuesday, 22 March 2011 16:22

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Fischer wins SA Triathlon Champs and ITU African Cup

Wow what a weekend and what a race. I entered the race as an Elite, giving up my chance of redeeming my U23 SA title, not knowing that I would walk away with the Elite title of the African Cup and the South African Championships.

The swim was a non-wetsuit in the 22.1 degrees Celsius sea of PE, luckily I had my new Sailfish trisuit on and I prefer non-wetsuit swims. We were a bunch of about five athletes in close contact (by contact I mean punching, kicking and pushing under water-the usual), and we stayed together throughout the first 750m lap, exiting onto the beach, around a flag and back into the sea for lap two.

I entered T1 first, with half of PE’s beach on my feet, had a quick transition, onto my bike first and took a sprint to give me time to put my feet into my shoes and fuel up on some 32GI. The troop was with me and I checked each one out to analyse the situation. Mari Rabie (RSA), Zsofia Toth (Hungary), Pletikapa Daria (Czech Republic) and Lauren Dance (RSA) were all in my pack. We worked well together, rotating through allowing each of us a turn to work upfront. Strong cyclists ensured the pace was fast the whole way. No one shouted at each other which was a first. The Czech girl took a bit of a free ride but we didn’t complain.

It was a three lap cycle of 13,3km each, out and back, totaling 40km. After the first turn we headed back and were able to see the chase pack and the athletes further behind. In the chase pack, about one minute behind us, was SA's Gillian Curr and Rosalyn Laurens with a small gap to the third pack with compatriots Tayla Glover, Nelmare Loubser and Ashleigh Bartram. After another gap was Andrea Steyn (RSA), alone. My pack stretched out the lead, with only two break away attempts, the lead group managed to stay together.

I worked hard on the bike; I knew that I had to stay in the lead pack if I had any chance of medaling. As I entered T2, my whole troop was beside me, we started the run in a pack of four, leaving the Czech girl behind. The pace was fast and I knew the three girls around me were strong runners. The race had only just begun. Toth put a steady pace on and the group started to split, at 1km into the run, I took the lead. I pulled my peak lower over my forehead, zoned into the fly zone, said a prayer and trusted God to allow me to run without limits.

The scorching heat burned my skin and the salty sea water formed crystals on my body which cracked as I splashed water onto myself. I took water at every water point, 10 bottles in total on the run, which I poured over myself. I forgot about the pain in my legs, the stitch in my side, the Hungarian on my heels and I just ran. We passed the crowd on each of the three laps, and all the cheers gave me that little bit more encouragement. Each lap, I stretched my lead a bit further. I looked back and there was no sight of anyone behind me. The last 200m I had a big smile on my face, I heard my name on the loudspeaker, and told myself, “Wow Carlyn you’re winning SA Champs, Elite!”

I was overjoyed, it felt a bit unreal. It was my first National Championships as an Elite and I`m happy now that I decided not to enter as an U23 Elite, being 20-years-old. This race has given me a more positive look on the future and achieving my dream.

Women's Elite results