News_
Paule: a trispeed champ!
Wednesday 3rd July 2013
Luxembourg Trispeed challenge
I ran a 10 k pb on Friday in 41.35 and came third so I thought I would die
the next two days because I pushed it too hard but I managed to be 5
minutes quicker in the triathlon than last year to finish third again (even
though my swim was horrible, I managed to get one girl on the bike and two
on the run!).
As for the duathlon, I was worried that I was just holding on for dear
life as I really felt tired. We had to cycle the triathlon loop four
times instead of two - it nearly killed me in the triathlon so I was
worried about cycling up that massive hill four times.
As I was not aware that it was also the national duathlon championships I
quickly had to find a trilux trisuit so had to drive around
Luxembourg for an hour before the race to pick one up or I would have
been disqualified. I was told before the race that I was only allowed to draft the women and Paulo pointed the women out to me I was supposed to run with. One of them
was the clear favourite - I know her as she is usually the only woman
to cycle the tour de Luxembourg (with the men!!). I was able to run with
them and even come second on the first 6 k run. I tried to catch the
first woman on the bike to work together and draft her but I could not
close the gap. Then Sandra (the favourite) joined me after half a lap on the
bike and told me to stay at her wheel. I hung on for dear life until we
caught the first woman and we cycled in a group for a while, taking turns
drafting off each other but I quickly realized that both women were way out
of my league so I had to let them go. Sandra cycled off like a maniac and
disappeared and I was able to sight the second woman for a while finishing
only 20 seconds behind her on the bike.
Now, the best news was that I had a really good last run and I can now
call myself national vice champion in the elite (senior) category as the
second woman is a master (vet here). Who would have thought that I would
ever get a title when cycling is involved?! I got a fancy medal and they
played the national anthem. Thought it was quite funny as I thought I would
not even reach the third day of the challenge! On top of that, I also won the whole challenge in the elite category!
Walking anywhere is impossible at the moment so I am just sitting in a
chair with my medal around my neck.
I also got a mention and a picture in the national newspaper, I really
like the picture as it shows the final position between the three of us
(this one was taken on the first lap of the run - featured)
http://www.tageblatt.lu/sport/story/Lieners-und-Huberty-holen-Titel-26752584
I will definitely do this one next year again! I now have a reputation for
being the girl with a beer in her hand as soon as each of the races was
finished but I attribute that to my quick recovery!
