Super-Charged Athlete in Chicago!

 

Competing for Australia in triathlon permits me to travel far and wide for competitions and this year, I had qualified for five World Championship Triathlons, three of which were held in the same city, in the same week: Chicago!

I packed my bike, my trainers and my passport and headed towards the Windy City for a whistle-stop 6-day trip.

Arriving two days before my first race, my focus was on race preparation: Registering for the competitions and getting to know the course, as well as waking up my legs from a long overnight flight from London, UK.

 

Kate Strong-1 Swim

My first World Championship was on Wednesday was an Aquathlon: Swim 750m and run 5km. For me, this was fun and I enjoyed the fast pace of the race!

 

Kate Strong-2 Bike

 

Thursday was the Sprint-distance Triathlon World Championship comprising 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run: basically exactly what I had completed the day before, but with a bike ride in the middle!

 

Kate Strong-3 Run

 

The day was very warm with temperatures around 80ºF and I regretted not wearing socks whilst I ran – my heels had rubbed in my shoes and two large blisters were present. Ow!

 

Kate Strong-4 Bro & Sis

 

Today was also very special for me. My younger brother took up triathlon this year and also qualified to compete for his country in his age-group in Sprint-distance triathlon. The twist: I compete for my country, Australia and he competes for his country, Great Britain!

Friday luckily was a day of rest before the Standard-distance Triathlon World Championship on Saturday. This course is double a Sprint, so 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run.

 

Kate Strong-5 Recovery

 

I am blessed to have very supportive family and when I became interested in sport, my mother chose to study sports massage – enabling me to get a faster recovery after competitions and training. My parents flew to Chicago to support their children and also give me some massages when I needed them.

Even with some rest and recovery on Friday, it wasn’t enough for my legs, they still felt tired and not as fresh as I would usually expect for a competition. Yet, the crowds cheering me on and also the backdrop of a pretty urban metropolis kept my spirits high and I finished my third race in four days with a smile!

 

Kate Strong-6 Medal

 

Kate Strong-7Family

 

It was so wonderful and truly special to have my parents and brother in Chicago with me as supporters, and also another competitor. I also enjoy the triathlon community where I have made some long-lasting friends.

 

Kate Strong-8 USA friend

 

 

Kate Strong, aka Strong Kate, is a Welsh-born international traveller. Kate has spread her wings far and wide not only geographically but in every aspect of her life. Having graduated with a double Masters in Mechanical Engineering from French and English universities, Kate has had a diverse career path from working with fashion companies such as Gucci, Diesel and Benetton in Italy, at an environmental protection agency in Russia, to working as a Dive-Master in Mexico! Kate is a 2014 World Champion, Women’s Long-distance Triathlete. Contact Kate with your thoughts and suggestions and follow Kate as she trains for upcoming events.

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