Joining the Trimonster family
After Ironman 70.3 - Lima in April 2019 , my former coach at Perutriathles informed us that the team would only be training online. In view of this he kindly referred me with his good friend and coach at TRIMONSTER´s - Chris Harrison to continue my training for the World Championship.
In May I formally joined the TRIMONSTER family, and it does feel like that – an actual family. They gave me the opportunity of feeling a part of something larger than an individual sport.
The feeling that its´ not just about winning or racing (although we all love it), but something bigger! it is a sense of belonging, sharing and caring.
With each passing day I learn more about each one of my team members and their lives. As this happens, I grow inspired by their journeys. Every single one of them are truly exceptional and brave.
Traveling to Manta
Manta was a very special experience for me because it was the first time I traveled with a team for a race.
Six of us traveled from Lima to Guayaquil Ecuador, from where we then took a bus ride to the sunny and clear water beach - Manta.
For the Pacific Challenge medal we would have to complete both Ironman 70.3 Lima and Manta, so in our case we were all going for it.
Pre- Race
The day before the race is always a little nerve wrecking, the usual worries (Is the bike adjusted? Am I missing something? Do I have all the things I need? Among many others…)
We tested everything. We went for our morning swim in the sea. Our first welcome to the water was by burning tiny squids, without any serious damage. The water was beautifully clear and warm, making it a fun swim.
We cycled around making sure our bikes were adjusted and finally after a busy day of getting ready, we went to bed as early as we could.
Unluckily, one of our team, Ramon had a bad fall in a duathlon in Lima three weeks before and did not race but did travel with us. Luckily for the rest of us, he was so much help with every single detail during the entire experience.
RACE DAY
Transition Zone - 5:30 am - all set and ready at the transition area.
SWIM
6:48 am – Green swim cap and goggles on, standing front row, my feet were already in the sand, hearing the waves as they hit the shore. Power posing my way through the wait until I could hear the starting instructions, my heart was racing and felt the excitement. For that moment nothing else mattered. I was finally there.
Once we receive the staring instruction, it´s on. We ran to the sea getting into the waves and swimming our way at a good pace.
The swim was like in a rectangular shape ending near the transition area, so once we turned right it was all straight until the last buoy.
The waves moved us a lot and at times did not allow me to see a lot of what was happening in front of me. When the wave was growing it was a good opportunity to look up and make sure my swimming was in the right direction.
Pacing and feeling confident as I was passing many other swimmers that started in a previous swim wave, until another girl in a green cap (my age group) was passing me, I felt the urge to swim faster. Thanks to her, I pulled it together and managed to make a strong exit out of the water.
BIKE
Expecting to be able to gain time on my cycle as usual, I started strong, until my stomach stared aching.
At one point, my head was busy with all the things I had done wrong and how they should have been different. Quickly noting how that dramatically my negative thoughts decreased my performance, I figured something had to change.
When was I going to have that moment in time again? for a moment I realized I was stealing myself the opportunity to enjoy a day I had worked for and looked forward to long before.
In that moment, I looked up and acknowledged everything in a different light. I felt grateful. Grateful for the blue sky, the shining sun, the hill covered landscape in all shades of green, the wind, the sweat rolling my face and my legs pedaling.
It may sound funny, but it changed my entire experience from that moment on. I was loving every second.
RUN
If I had to choose a name for this run, it would be running through fire. It was over 40 C and without any shade to hide from the sun whatsoever. As I ran, I got all the ice possible along the way and placed it inside my trisuit to avoid overheating.
10 kms into the race I see my team friend, Thais, catching up with me at a fast pace. 5 kms later she came up to me, hey Stef and went racing past me! From there on I was convinced that nobody else was passing me. At the end she finished 7th and I 8th.
Lessons learned Ironman 70.3 Ecuador
Stick to what you know works for you in nutrition.
o Don’t have a heavy dinner before race day
o Eat your usual breakfast
· Deal with what you have to work with.
· Enjoy the ride and have fun
· Thinking about what ifs must be replaced immediately with what can I do now.
· Wear Sunscreen EVERYWHERE! Even in the tips of your ears.
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Chris Harrison for taking me in and all the Trimonster family for taking me in with such a warm welcome since day 1.
Special thanks to Thais Maggiolo, Ramon Lopez, Alfredo Palacios, Omar, Hinojos and Adan Rojas that were an amazing travel crew and team.