Thinking about 70.3 Durban there are two separate elements for me.
​
The first one, the one of Trifactri coach was time spent building up to the start. The weekend spent with my team, team warm up and pre-race dinner. Lots of nervous messages and last minute advice. There was no time to think about my own race but that was something I knew would be the case before I entered. I entered this race because I knew I would be in Durban to support all the Trifactri athletes and that I would feel sad not to be racing on the beautiful Durban 70.3 course. I went to this race not worrying about the outcome but going there being excited to see efforts rewarded of everyone racing, from our top guys to half Ironman virgins. Atmosphere in the team didn't disappoint. There was lot of laughs, nerves and amazing spirit. I loved every moment of it.

My journey to Durban 70.3 was very mixed…I arrived in Durban with a huge amount of self-doubt. I was not convinced I could do the race. I knew I could do the individual distances but not all together.  As people around me got more and more excited I got more nervous – I definitely was not caught up in the excitement of the whole event – actually I got worse as the race got closer. If it was not for a very supportive husband (Chris) and the TriFactri team members I would really have struggled to get to the starting block.

About two years ago I was diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder as a result of specific events in my life. I was in and out of hospital with a very strict diet, and different Drs’ trying a variety of medications until I was finally diagnosed and treated accordingly. Being somewhat stubborn and having a strong mind I decided during the middle of last year I no longer wanted to be on strong daily medication and I that would try and manage my anxiety myself. Up until Durban I hadn’t really been in a situation where I could properly test my ability to manage my anxiety disorder……. I FAILED. I failed so badly that it very nearly ruined my whole race experience.