Here I will post information about my competitions during the year
V. R. St António Triathlon - National Team championships
After a week dedicated to training and
a lot of cycling I felt I was going to do much better that a week before, in
Altura. I spend the week in Lisbon and that finally gave me the chance, two
months later, to cycle outside. This time I had the support from my family, they were part of what gave me stregth to come back after a bad result last week.
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I went to Algarve once more and the
weather was absolutely amazing. It was 20°C, almost no wind and the sun was
shinning, the perfect day for a triathlon.
This time in the swimming I wasn’t very
lucky, I lined up very late and therefore I chose a horrible position. I got
kicked till the first buoy and I only managed to do a decent swim on the final
meters. In the long run to T1 I felt strong and I knew I would have to fight a
lot in order to get to the chase group.
I was in a small group of 3 girls and
we worked well together, managing to catch up with the main group. I was
feeling very good and even after all that effort trying to catch up I knew I
had nothing to loose in going hard on the cycling since I wasn’t going to run
hard anyway. I was second out of T2 (first of the main group), which also means
I had the best split on the cycling J. In the running I felt relatively good but I knew I
couldn’t go any harder. Right in the final meters I lost two places, which was
very disappointing since I knew I couldn’t sprint without affecting my foot
recovery.
In resume it was a very bad swim but a
good cycling that remembered me of how much I love doing triathlon. The running
will come at its own time. Satisfied to know that I gave all I had.
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Results:
6th place in 16-17 age group
14th overall
Altura Triathlon
I chose a very good position to start
the swim and therefore I managed to get a decent swim and exit the water
besides my most direct competitors. However from the moment I got up running I
felt something wasn’t quite right. It took me a long time to get to T1 and get
rid of my wetsuit.
In the cycling I struggled even though
I knew it was the segment I was supposed to be stronger. I suffered a lot and I
lost a tones of time to the front of the race.
On the final leg I knew my race was
over. I was racing in the condition of running at a calm pace so that I
wouldn’t worse my foot injury. In triathlon there aren’t any miracles and with
the preseason that I had, I knew it was going to hurt in the final segment.
In the end I realised that had probably
been the worst race of my life, but I managed to find motivation in it. I knew
there was still so much that could have been done to improve my performance.
8th place in 16-17 age group
20th overall
2014
Esposende Triathlon - National Vice-Champion!
From the begining of the summer that I have been cycling the longest rides of my life. The average of a weekend was 200km and during the week we would put on some more miles when we had the time. This was the toughest summer in my life, and I loved it!
The last race before my summer holidays took place in Esposende, a beautiful and very windy city in the north of Portugal. This competition was the 2014 National Junior championships. It was a very competitive race in a course that didn't quite suit me.
The swimming was in a straight line, starting 850m from the transition area. It was a messy start and it wasn't easy to get passed the first buoy.
In the cycling we were pushing hard and I was feeling really good. In the last lap something happen and I lost contact with the group I was with. My legs weren't responding and I started feeling bad.
The final 5km run was a disaster! I felt pain everywhere and I was conscious I was loosing time. Even though the result wasn't very bad the overall performance in the final part of the race was very bad.
I now realize this happened because I had been dragging an injury for too long and that was affecting my body in general. After this race I took a break from training and to heal my ankle.
Here is a picture of me with Katarina :) She had an amazing performance.
The last race before my summer holidays took place in Esposende, a beautiful and very windy city in the north of Portugal. This competition was the 2014 National Junior championships. It was a very competitive race in a course that didn't quite suit me.
In the cycling we were pushing hard and I was feeling really good. In the last lap something happen and I lost contact with the group I was with. My legs weren't responding and I started feeling bad.
The final 5km run was a disaster! I felt pain everywhere and I was conscious I was loosing time. Even though the result wasn't very bad the overall performance in the final part of the race was very bad.
I now realize this happened because I had been dragging an injury for too long and that was affecting my body in general. After this race I took a break from training and to heal my ankle.
I finished this competition 4th overall and 2nd in my age group. This means that I was Vice National Champion 16-17 (Cadetes)
Here is a picture of me with Katarina :) She had an amazing performance.
Coruche Aquathlon - National Aquathlon Champion!
A small but beautiful town in the middle of Portugal
hosted the National Aquathlon Championships. I had no idea how I was going to
feel in this race since I spent the whole week with the flu. Aquathlon isn't my
favorite version of triathlon because it's very short.
From the moment I started I knew this was going to
feel bad. I felt tired from the beginning and when I came out of the water I
was in 6th place overall and the gap to the lead was over 1 minute. The running
course was only 1 lap of 5km and I felt better and better as I went along. With
the crucial phycological help of a teammate I managed to catch up with the
second and third girl. However it was too late to get through them and in the
final sprint I couldn't do much.
I finished 4th overall and I was National
Aquathlon Champion for my age group (Cadetes). It was once more a
tough race and I'm sure I did everything I possibly could.
Peniche Triathlon - National Age-Group Champion!
Only 3 days after Oeiras triathlon I was heading to one more sprint triathlon, the mythical 31th edition Peniche Triathlon.
This was one of the toughest races I've ever done. I still felt my legs heavy from Oeiras and the hilly and windy bike course didn't help.
The swimming had a very tough beginning. It was a water start and men and women were mixed. I had a hard time going through the first buoy but I managed to gain a good position in the second half of the 750m. The transition was fast and safe and I was the first out of it, even though I had no idea about it. The cycling course was in a hilly road by the sea and it was very windy. I had a hard time keeping up with the groups (all with men) and I had to suffer a lot in order to keep a good pace. When I got to the running I heard that I was in first place with an lead of about 40 seconds. I kept pushing very hard for the 5km left. I felt totally done and I am sure I could have just seat on the sidewalk anytime, but that was when my mind controled everything and I kept my lead to the finish line.
Even though this was an Age-group National Championship it was my first overall victory which felt like a perfect reward for the hard training I have been doing.
Results:
1st Place Overall
1st Place Age group 16-17 - NATIONAL TRIATHLON CHAMPION in 16-17 Age group.
Oeiras Trichallenge - Portugal Triathlon Cup
Over 600 athletes took part in the huge event that was the 27th edition of Oeiras triathlon.
I was supposed to race in the smallest competition (super sprint distance) in order to qualify for the Youth European Championships, but since I didn't go to Estoril Triathlon due to my life as a student in Sweden, the National Federation (though they knew I had the qualities to be part of the team) told me I didn't have the chance to be qualified. Therefore I decided to do the Main Race (Sprint distance) for the National cup.
The start in "Torre" Beach was really messy, because there were too many people and the Atlantic sea was very wavy. Anyway I tried to go really hard in the beginning and that went well for myself, once I didn't get "punched"so often. I managed to be the third girl out of the water and still feeling strong for the next legs.
Until the middle of the cycling course I was in a very small group with 3 other athletes, 3 2 of them were girls. In the turning point we ended up being a huge group with all the best girls on it. This meant it was all up to be decided on the run.
I started running at a strong pace but still feeling well. I didn't want to commit the same mistakes as earlier. Liliana, the girl that won, was running very well and therefore she outran me right in the beginning. I gave all I had and I finished in the 3rd place overall and 1st place i my age group (most of the people from my age were in the smallest race).
I finished really tired but the final result made me very happy and motivated for the next race, only 2 days later, in Peniche.
See all the results here.
Hallstahammar Triathlon
My first real triathlon race in Sweden was in the past 31st of May in Hallstahammar, near Västerås. I went there with the only goal of testing myself and get to know some of the Elite swedish triathletes. I wanted to understand how triathlon competitions are in Sweden and wether I liked it or not.I had a pretty solid swim and I stayed in the front group with 3 more girls for the whole 750m. We worked together through the 20km cycling. I felt a bit tired but I managed to stay with them for the whole time. In the final run a senior girl was running really well and therefore I knew I was then competing for the second place, once I was in the chase group with 2 other girls. I ended up giving everything I had but the last stride didn't go so well and therefore I finished in the 3rd place overall.
Both in my age group (16-17) and in Juniors I got the first place.
I had a great experience and though it was a really small organistaion compared to what I was used to, I also saw why Sweden has greater success than Portugal. The money spent in the registration is seen in the end when the prizes are distributed. I enjoyed racing there and I hope I will take part in many other Swedish Triathlon Races.
Weert Triathlon - YOG Qualifier 2014
On the past day, May 17th I was in an important competition in Weert, The Netherlands. This was the European Qualification for the Youth Olympic Games 2014. It was great to be there although I knew the qualification would be very hard. The first athlete from the 11 best countries was qualified to go to Naijing in August.
I had been training very hard for this competition but, only two weeks before I had a bad foot sprain and I had to slow down the training in order to be able to, at least race in Weert.
I got together with the portuguese team on thursday night, since I had to come from Sweden. On Friday we went to Weert (our hotel was about 30km away) and were checking all the courses. The weather was very nice but the water was cold and dirty! In the afternoon it was the body marking and the briefing.
Saturday morning I was feeling well but a bit afraid about how fit I was and wether my foot was going to be a problem or not. The day looked good, the weather was sunny and not very windy. The water was a bit cold but better than in the last day. I asked a nice woman from Belarus to help me with my hair braid.
With everything set for the race it was time to do my best.
I had to start the swimming in the second line which delayed me in the beginning. I had to work very hard to get me to the front. The swimming was going well until the point where there was a buoy I was directing to that no one followed and I lost important time that got me out of the main peloton. I had a good transition, but I didn't feel strong enough to get to the first group and therefore I ended up in the group with the other portuguese girls. The running went as normal although I was finally able to get a good pace getting on to the finish line.
The final Result was a 36th place in 66 girls, 3rd Portuguese and 12th country, which didn't give Portugal a place in the YOG for the girls.
In the boys race Portuguese Miguel Cassiano did a rally great job and got himself qualified for the YOG!! In the team really on sunday the portuguese team (I didn't take part on it) got the 9th place.
On sunday night I came back to Sweden very disappointed with my performance back there. I know that some mistakes during the course affected me a lot and I'm hoping that this experience taught me something good for next time.
Quarteira Junior European Cup
On the 13th of April I had my first Junior Triathlon European Cup, in Quarteira.
I was very happy to finally be in an european race with all that environment and people from different countries around. I spent friday and saturday there with the national team, to get to know the courses and the amazing weather (25°C).
Sunday morning it was a foggy day and the sea was a bit wavy. The race started at 8.45am.
The swimming was really hard, between kicks, waves and current it was really hard to do a good swimming. I finished it in a second group, about 30 seconds from the first girls.
The transition was quick and the bike started a bit confusing. We ended up as a big group in the cycling that unfortunately didn't work so well, losing some time for the first group. I had to move a lot in the front of the group during the 3 laps of 6.6km and that made me a bit tired.
The running never really got very good, I wasn't feeling well and I couldn't find myself on it. I lost some time for the fastest runners in my group and I suffered a lot to keep me up to the end.
I finished in the 30th place overall and 4th portuguese. I hope next time I will be in a better day and finally able to show people all the work I have been doing lately.
Thanks to everyone that supported me along this "adventure" and that have always been there for me. Family and friends are very important for me and they are who keeps me up. Congratulations to all the other portuguese girls that did a great job!!
You can check the complete results here:
When the magazine comes out I will write down the link so you can watch it. You can now watch the magazine on Alpiarca Triathlon:
And here are some pictures:
Alpiarça triathlon/Miguel Jourdan
Last sunday it took place in Alpiarca (Portugal) the first big race in 2014. This triathlon was in honor to Miguel Jourdan, a very important person in this sport that sadly left us about 2 years ago. It was my very first Sprint distance triathlon and finally (after 7 years) as a real (junior) athlete.Most of the best portuguese athletes were there and it was a very competitive race. I did a good swim, coming in the main group, it was a quick swim and I'm happy I felt so good. This good swim and a perfect transition got me in the first group for the cycling. The cycling was the proof that my times as a youth athlete were over and that now group work is crucial. I managed to finish the cycling very fast and in a great position. The second transition was, once more, perfect and I started the running in the first place. The first lap went very well and that made me pay the bill for the second one, I got to the finish line in the 5th place and right on the finish ended up being passed by another junior girl.
The result was the 7th place overall and 2nd among my age group 16-17. I think it was a good race but it showed me I still have a huge way to do. The goal was the qualification for the European Cup in Quateira and hopefully I achieved it (just waiting for the approval from the national federation). In the teams classification we got 2nd but, unfortunately, we weren't there to get our prize :(
I wanted to thank everyone that was there to help me and took part on my success, my family, my friends and my coach. A special thanks to Loja das Bicicletas for helping me with the bike.
Next race is on sunday, a duathlon in Montemor-o-velho. Now there's a lot of training left but as I always say: No pain, No gain!!
P.s.: It was great to talk to my swedish friend: Katarina Larsson that is a triathlete in Portugal. Visit her blog here: http://katarinalarsson.com/
Falun Indoor cup: Final Stage
Last saturday it took place the third and final stage of the Falun Indoor Triathlon cup. It was a tough race and after a hard week of training I was feeling a bit tired.
I did a normal swim, getting about 40 seconds advantage over the second girl. In the velodrome it was very hard and the legs weren't working at all. I lost about 25 sec. of advantage. The run was the best part of it and I'm glad the extra and hard work is getting some results.
I finished in the 1st place getting three victories in 3 races, this felt great and it was a good beginning of season.
The training here has been hard and getting good results helps a lot on keeping up with the training.
You can check the full results on:
http://www5.idrottonline.se/DalregementetsIF/Aktuellt/Klubbnyheter/ResultatochslutstallningOrcaFalunIndoorTriathloncup2014/
On Sunday, the 9th of February I took part in my first Running competition here in Sweden. It was in Sätrahallen, in the surroundings of Stockholm.
I decided only on Friday to do this competition and therefore I wasn't psychologically ready. When this happens the races don't go well and this one wasn't an exception.
I ran the 1500m and I did a poor time. Anyway I felt pretty good and it gave me power to keep running a lot.
FALUN INDOOR CUP
On the past Saturday, the 24th of January I took part in the second stage of the Falun Indoor Cup.
About 2 months ago I had been in the first stage and it went pretty well. Last weekend I was there again to try and repeat what I had done 2 months ago: the first place!
In the swimming I didn't feel great, I didn't go in a good heat and I was feeling my arms a bit heavy due to a tough training week. Anyway I did the best time among the girls and the 3rd in the overall classification.
After that the 400m swimming it came the cycling. I had about 400m (2 laps) in advantage for the other competitors and therefore they had to recover some time during the cycling. When the race got to the 10 laps and everyone is in the track is when it actually starts. The other girl (3rd in the last stage) was very prudent this time and used her experience in the velodrome to try and beat me. It was hard and I had to work really hard with my legs but I managed to stay in the game with her until the end of the 42-lap-cycling.
The running was fast and strong and I did it way better than last time, I was running at a good pace and I was able to keep the distance I had to the other girl through all the running.
I finished it in the 1st Place with a great performance and an extra will to keep working on the cold.
Looking forward for the last one, next Saturday, 15th of February.
NIGHT RUNNING IN CHRISTMAS TIME
While I was in Portugal I did two running competitions, the known Sao Silvestre (Saint Silvestre), one in Lisbon and the other one in Lourinha, near Peniche.
S. Silvestre de Lisboa
One of the biggest running events in Lisbon, with over 6000 people took place in the 28th of December.
It was running at the time it started (5.30 pm), anyway it was for a short time it was enough to make the floor slippery, what ended up affecting one of the groups I was in. After that first wearied Kilometer I was entusiastic and I was running at a great pace, every thing was fine up to the 5km where I passed with 20.30 min. My first goal was done: doing a good time in the first 5km, the prolem was that the next goal was making it to the end...
My legs started failing and I was in pain, but I did it to the end and I fifnished with a time of 43.13 min.
The result was not bad att all but I hope next year I'll be near to the 40.00
I was 5th in my age groups (Junior) and 623th in a total of 6535
S. Silvestre da Lourinha
The first one was in Lourinha, in my brother's birthday: December, the 21st. At 21 pm It was rather cold but once living in sweden it wouldn't affect me that much.
The starting was a bit hard and I lost some distance to the 2nd girl, in the first lap I couldn't find my pace and only when I started the 2nd lap I finally found myself. I did it gradually but I could reach get a very good pace and I reached the 2nd girl and not being that far from the 1st (comparing to the last year). The last 2 laps were done with a lot of mental effort and with help of many people support's. Thanks to all of them.
The Final result was 2nd girl in the 14-15 age group
The day ended in a Restaurant with a nice meal and party with my friends.
TRIATHLON IN FALUN
This weekend I had this nice competition in Falun: My first Triathlon Indoor.
It was 400m in a swimming pool, 8km (42 laps) in a velodrome and 2km running.
I felt really good and I leaded from the swimming to the running. The swimming was easy and well done in 5.00 (about 1 minutes advantage to the other girls), the cycling was hard and fast, doing 8km in about 12 minutes and cycling in 45/50 km/h in a velodrome with deep curves that seemed walls. In the running I felt very good.
TRAINING IN SWEDEN
I did a normal swim, getting about 40 seconds advantage over the second girl. In the velodrome it was very hard and the legs weren't working at all. I lost about 25 sec. of advantage. The run was the best part of it and I'm glad the extra and hard work is getting some results.
I finished in the 1st place getting three victories in 3 races, this felt great and it was a good beginning of season.
The training here has been hard and getting good results helps a lot on keeping up with the training.
You can check the full results on:
http://www5.idrottonline.se/DalregementetsIF/Aktuellt/Klubbnyheter/ResultatochslutstallningOrcaFalunIndoorTriathloncup2014/
Indoor track Running in Stockholm
On Sunday, the 9th of February I took part in my first Running competition here in Sweden. It was in Sätrahallen, in the surroundings of Stockholm.
I decided only on Friday to do this competition and therefore I wasn't psychologically ready. When this happens the races don't go well and this one wasn't an exception.
I ran the 1500m and I did a poor time. Anyway I felt pretty good and it gave me power to keep running a lot.
FALUN INDOOR CUP
On the past Saturday, the 24th of January I took part in the second stage of the Falun Indoor Cup.
About 2 months ago I had been in the first stage and it went pretty well. Last weekend I was there again to try and repeat what I had done 2 months ago: the first place!
In the swimming I didn't feel great, I didn't go in a good heat and I was feeling my arms a bit heavy due to a tough training week. Anyway I did the best time among the girls and the 3rd in the overall classification.
After that the 400m swimming it came the cycling. I had about 400m (2 laps) in advantage for the other competitors and therefore they had to recover some time during the cycling. When the race got to the 10 laps and everyone is in the track is when it actually starts. The other girl (3rd in the last stage) was very prudent this time and used her experience in the velodrome to try and beat me. It was hard and I had to work really hard with my legs but I managed to stay in the game with her until the end of the 42-lap-cycling.
The running was fast and strong and I did it way better than last time, I was running at a good pace and I was able to keep the distance I had to the other girl through all the running.
I finished it in the 1st Place with a great performance and an extra will to keep working on the cold.
Looking forward for the last one, next Saturday, 15th of February.
NIGHT RUNNING IN CHRISTMAS TIME
While I was in Portugal I did two running competitions, the known Sao Silvestre (Saint Silvestre), one in Lisbon and the other one in Lourinha, near Peniche.
S. Silvestre de Lisboa
One of the biggest running events in Lisbon, with over 6000 people took place in the 28th of December.
I was one of those that completed the challenge of 10 km in Lisbon at night.
It was a good experience, way better than last year, since this time I started in the sub40' line and I could start running right in the beginning.It was running at the time it started (5.30 pm), anyway it was for a short time it was enough to make the floor slippery, what ended up affecting one of the groups I was in. After that first wearied Kilometer I was entusiastic and I was running at a great pace, every thing was fine up to the 5km where I passed with 20.30 min. My first goal was done: doing a good time in the first 5km, the prolem was that the next goal was making it to the end...
My legs started failing and I was in pain, but I did it to the end and I fifnished with a time of 43.13 min.
The result was not bad att all but I hope next year I'll be near to the 40.00
I was 5th in my age groups (Junior) and 623th in a total of 6535
In these pictures I could find my self, you can use it to play :) Where's wally?
S. Silvestre da Lourinha
The first one was in Lourinha, in my brother's birthday: December, the 21st. At 21 pm It was rather cold but once living in sweden it wouldn't affect me that much.
The starting was a bit hard and I lost some distance to the 2nd girl, in the first lap I couldn't find my pace and only when I started the 2nd lap I finally found myself. I did it gradually but I could reach get a very good pace and I reached the 2nd girl and not being that far from the 1st (comparing to the last year). The last 2 laps were done with a lot of mental effort and with help of many people support's. Thanks to all of them.
The Final result was 2nd girl in the 14-15 age group
The day ended in a Restaurant with a nice meal and party with my friends.
TRIATHLON IN FALUN
This weekend I had this nice competition in Falun: My first Triathlon Indoor.
It was 400m in a swimming pool, 8km (42 laps) in a velodrome and 2km running.
I felt really good and I leaded from the swimming to the running. The swimming was easy and well done in 5.00 (about 1 minutes advantage to the other girls), the cycling was hard and fast, doing 8km in about 12 minutes and cycling in 45/50 km/h in a velodrome with deep curves that seemed walls. In the running I felt very good.
TRAINING IN SWEDEN
Finally I fixed my trainings schedule for this season between Sweden and Portugal.
I'm swimming with Västerås Simsällskap and I'm Running with Västerås Friidott. They are 2 good teams with good training groups. This year I'll have to spend much time with my brother as he will be my only every training friend. We have been cycling and running sometimes together, getting to know the best ways around here.We went to small towns around Västerås.
It has been cold here so we have been using our usual winter clothes to work out.
I hope I can be motivated to continue working out without my team (Teleperformance "os belenenses") witch I miss very much.
Good Trainings! :)
MY FIRST COMPETITION IN SWEDEN
On last 11th of August I had my first competition here in Sweden.
It was the Vasteras Open Water Trophy:
I felt really well and I did the 1500 meters in 19:04.82, finishing as the 1st girl and 5th with the boys :)
The water was at 19ºC, so with my wetsuit I did it very warmy
Here there are some pictures of it.
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2 comments:
5 in boys doesnt matter but 1 in girls matter 2 much :P try more harder i wish u could be 1st in boys ;). (Asad)
Well done!
perfect (y)
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