2009 started out undulating for me, I had done well in some races (IM 70.3 EL 6th PRO, Xterra Albert Falls 1st,Xterra Grabouw 3rd) and some not so good races(SA Champs Germiston, almost got lapped, was the last elite on the course, on the last run lap it was only myself and my close family still supporting:) But by the end of the year I had found my groove, and after a few solid months of training, by the time the Energade Tri Series began I was in the best form in months.
I was fortunate enough to have joined the then NESTLE/Bar One Triathlon Team, and for the first time felt what it was like being jetted all over the country to race in different events as the Energade Triathlons, and it was great. Coming from a team sport background, it suddenly felt as if I was part of a team and I made a bunch of new friends, Andrea, Ash,Carlyn, and got to know some of the other Pro’s a bit better like Erhard,Theo and Claude, and could always count on Bright to amuse me with one of his silly antics. Then our team also got a bit of a celeb status when Liezl vd Westhuizen joined the team and the madness!
I had a few of my best results: Roodeplaat 4th, Midmar 3rd, PE 3rd, Blouberg 5th, and finished 4th in the series, my best result so far.
I also raced the All Africa Cups in Pretoria and Durban and finished 3rd in both and well as the Tiavigo Duathlon Series, where I managed 2 wins( off road du’s) and a few 2nd places and finished 2nd in the Series.
But by the end of the year I had to take a well deserved break and shared some family and friend time!
On the personal front, my other half, Dreyer had been training hard and also had good results at a few xterras and SA tri champs, and All Africa Champs in Durban. He made the SA Age Group Tri team and flew all the way to Oz for the World Tri Champs, and had a great race!
Dreyer and I also attended lots of engagements parties and weddings and things were getting serious! ;)
More next time!!
Have a blessed day!
