Rear-view Mirror a.k.a look back on 2014

2014 was supposed to be the year I ruled the world. The female amateur tri world of the long distance anyways. I was entering the finish line of the first long term essentially 4 year approach/process that we (me and coach Jorge) took to get me to where I wanted to be - the double 70.3 and 140.6 amateur champion. I guess they were right when they said that nothing happens overnight!

The progression went something like this (CZECH is for check):

• 2010 – Race my first few 70.3’s and qualify/and don’t come dead last at 70.3 World’s – CZECH

• 2011 – Continue to focus on the 70.3 distance, qualify for 70.3 Worlds again but this time let’s see how competitive I can be there – CZECH

• 2012 – Win my AG at all 70.3’s with a main focus of qualifying for Kona at Buffalo Springs (One of the few 70.3 Kona qualifiers left at the time) – CZECH. I did my first ironman (1^st marathon) and got absolutely hooked on Kona! I was there for the experience (secretly hoping I would do well of course) - CZECH

• 2013 – One year closer to the world domination, but I knew I had my work cut out for me, and needed at least 2 years to get there. No WC races in 2013, but goal was to start winning 70.3s and 140.6 overall /qualify for both world championship events a year ahead of time –CZECH

• 2014 – Double 70.3/140.6 Amateur World Champion - FAIL

But back to 2014.

• 2014 was the year when my dreams became attainable goals.

• 2014 was the year, I realized why I couldn’t compete at this level back in 2011, or 2012 – I have always loved the process – you know the day in/day out stuff – but it was when all the "why’s" started to fall into places.

• 2014 showed me that I am capable of more than I ever thought I would be, and most importantly that I am not done yet – the potential is there! I know it and feel it.

• It would be easy to label 2014 as a disappointment of a year because I didn’t quite reach the top, but looking back in the review mirror, 2014 was the greatest learning experience that I could have ever given myself. I showed up at both Mt. Tremblant and Kona ready to compete and confident that I had what it takes to win. I came close and just off the age group podium in both races (6^th AG, 6^th overall in Mt. Tremblant; 6^th AG,17^th amateur) , but close isn’t winning. Any other year, I would have been extremely happy with those placings at that level, but not in 2014. Had I been in any other age group, I would have been the 70.3 World Champion, or won the Umeke Bowl but I wasn’t. (Harsh reality) I knew I had what it took to win, but I just wasn’t able to put it all together when it counted the most and that hurt.  Without going into details (Mt. Tremblant Race Report and Kona Race Report), I made choices in key points of each race, that I would want to take back, but such is racing. There were 5 and 16 faster girls than me on those two days, and they deserve all the credit. I raced my heart out, and I failed. I cried my eyes out and my heart hurt, but I learned, and that is KEY!

• 2014 uncovered weaknesses I didn't know I had, and I will now be stronger for those.  

• 2014 was the end of the new beginning – No, I am not turning pro, and no I am not changing my goals. I am also not going to go and train 30-40 hours every single week because that is what someone else that beat me does. It’s not always about just more,rather it’s about the overall process (long and short term), the evolution, and growth. It’s about “ME”, about what “I” need to do to make my dreams a reality. 2014 showed me and my coach what needs to happen next and that’s worth more than winning.

2015 is the year of “FEARLESS”. “FEARLESS” not just physically, but more importantly“FEARLESS” mentally.  Although I do not have plans of racing the 70.3 World Champs in Austria so my double world champ attempt will not happen again (unless someone wants to sponsor me/buy me more vacation days at work), I have already qualified for Kona (Cozumel Race Report) and have my eyes on the prize "MISSION UMEKE"

As always THANK YOU to my family/friends and sponsors for supporting my (to most - crazy; to me - absolutely normal) dreams! 2015 is going to be a blast!