August 29, 2008

Victoria Beck wins Powerman Austria

New Zealand athlete Victoria Beck won Powerman Austria recently.  Here is Victoria's take on the race:

I had to get up early to have breakfast, but was still feeling quite sleepy, so went back to bed for an hour, before getting up to start the day! I was still feeling tired and could've easily gone back to bed…  The race briefing was all in German, so I was hoping that there was nothing important said that I missed!

The race started on the main street of Weyer. A couple of the Austrian girls started out pretty fast, so I tried to hold back, as it was going to be a long day and I figured they'd blow up running that fast!! I was right - after only about 1km into the 1st 15km run, we were all together in a bunch of about 5... halfway through the first lap on the first run I noticed the girls had been just creeping up the rises and hills, so I decided to push the pace a bit and that was that - they all dropped away!

Coming back onto the main street at the end of the first lap (of 2) I was the first athlete overall to go through, as the men had started five minutes later, so the crowd went crazy - I actually got goosebumps!! The bike was good - one good 17 or so minute climb per lap, and then undulations. At the bottom of the hill on the second lap, my chain came off, so I quickly jumped off to put it back on and my calf muscle seized up - I thought disaster had struck, but once I jumped back on my bike it was all okay - my calf calmed down!

To tell you the truth, I was expecting to get passed on the bike, as it's always been my weakest, but once I got back to the transition still in the lead, I had a feeling I was going to be okay.   The last run was really hot and really hard, but I got there and running down that finishing chute with my flowers and everyone going nuts was just the best feeling!   I nearly had a wee tear in my eye when I was up on the top of the podium and they played "" - a very, very special moment! God defend New Zealand. Dinner that night was in the VIP area, and it was a privilege to spend the evening with world duathlon champ Joerie Van Steelant and other elite athletes!    Victoria Beck

www.victoriabeck.co.nz