‘05 Worlds to Now…

Here we go again!  World Long Course in Virginia is just around the corner!  This will be my second time representing Canada on the international level.   The first was in 2005 where I went to the Short Course World Duathlon Championships in Newcastle, Australia.  

2005 was my break out year for multi-sporting.  I had  a great summer winning the majority of the races that I did.  That year I trained on heart.  Every workout was hard because that’s how I thought the best athletes trained.  So when the time came to go to the event, I was a little worse for wear.  Traveling 36 hours by plane and landing in the world Down Under was surreal. And very taxing on the body.  

My family rented a house 15K outside New cstle.  All week we traveled back and forth to the race course so I could practice and do the team meetings.  The event was awesome.  The entire city got behind the athletes and there was a lot of excitement throughout.

The race was different for your’s truly.  It ranks in my head as the worst race of my career.  I have never gone back to look at the results.  The one major thing I took away from it was be prepared.  Just because you’re winning in Canada doesn’t mean squat at the international level.  These boys came to play and it felt like I was watching them.

This year is a little different.  I am aware that most athletes going into this event will be peaking.  I am also aware that I have gotten stronger since 2005.  Back then I wasted a lot of energy through traveling and being excited for the event and being in a new country.  This year I will reserve my energy.  This year will be different.

Last week I didn’t think I could even do the event, let alone race it.  It was a dark week.  Every run hurt.  I had one of the worst rides of my life.  I kept thinking, "Not again!  I am over-trained going into yet another World event."  I thought I had given myself enough rest….  Something was clearly wrong….

When I left Ottawa I e-mailed our Sports Doctor here at UNB and said I need some attention.  My concern was that I was going to write myself off for a long time if I tried racing.  I thought my year was over.  My thoughts were of all the people I was letting down.  Knowing that I had been on such a high just a month ago and now I couldn’t find the energy to do a short run was demoralizing.  

Maybe my body heard me because something happened.  I don’t have an answer what, but I just felt better.  The mojo has returned.  My cross-country race on Saturday proved that my season is not over.  

I can’t say for certain what I am expecting this weekend.  I just know that I can.  That when I need to push, the gears will turn.  This is more motivation for me than you could ever imagine. 

Your body can be your best friend or your worst enemy.  Together as one, anything is possible.  Right now it appears we are husband and wife again!

So here we go again; another car ride with the boys this Thursday, a couple days rest and then race on Sunday.  Pictures will follow!

 I am happy to say that I will make them watch me this time.  Happy Training!

Cliff