Await the Fate

So here I sit and wait,

To learn my Olympic fate.

It's actually only been 7 days,

But has felt so long in many ways.

I raced in Yokohama last week,

but didn't get the podium I set out to seek.

I ended up in a sprint for fourth, fifth or sixth,

but sprinting too early meant the latter I picked.

I was the first American who hasn't already qualified,

Beating some stiff competition gave me pride.

But because of where I finished I didn't get auto selected,

So having a domestique for the Olympics is an option to be contested.

So here I sit and wait,

To learn my Olympic fate.

With people advocating for me left and right,

I realize how many people will put up a fight.

[Don't worry this is a joke it's not that bad, just taking advantage of a picture opportunity I had]

I watch the social media feeds feeling both amusement and love,

As people don't just push to have me there, they shove.

I have faith in the outcome though I don't know it yet,

And all the people who have been there for me, I will never forget.

So thank you for the patience during this time,

I hope to soon be writing a #Katie2Rio rhyme.

And to SRAM, Oakley and ROKA,

as well as Team Psycho, NYAC and HOKA,

Thank you for believing in me one hundred percent,

Through this mildly stressful event.

A(Boo) Dhabi

After a great base training I was really excited to race,

Returning to Abu Dhabi which is quite a unique place.

As always I was nervous for the season's start,

But confidence in the work calmed my beating heart.

Well the race didn't go as I had hoped or planned,

Not finishing a race really doesn't feel grand.

I stopped at 5k on the run when I was going to crap,

Not literally, but I was falling further and further behind each lap.

My swim start was meh but I was able to move up,

Getting myself to the front pack was pretty tough.

I lasted in the front pack on the bike,

but didn't feel as strong as what I like. 

I often found myself at the back,

As we went around in a pack.

Finally the last two laps I got my butt in gear,

When I realized the next pack was drawing near.

I was proud that I was able to position myself better,

I'm going with the philosophy better late than never. 

This move not only allowed me to avoid getting crashed out,

But I was also near the front when T2 came about.

I got off onto the run and didn't feel quite right,

Not able to speed up my legs with any type of might.

I lasted two laps before Joel pulled me off the course,

And then I started trying to figure out the source. 

The whole race I just didn't feel like me,

But surely I should race better no matter what it be.

I knew the prep was there and that I was ready,

So I started looking at the week and things I thought were petty.

Of course maybe it was just an off day but I believe there's more,

There were times I spent extra energy that I should have put in store.

Little things like Thursday being go, go, go was rough,

And Friday I spent too much time doing certain stuff.

I spent so much time training to execute just right,

But the week of the race I should have sat more tight. 

As frustrating as it is I'll really never know,

Which is why it's time to move on and truly let it go.

Funny how a race can teach you quite a bit,

Even when you didn't actually finish it. 

Lessons I have learned and will carry on my way,

To keep me getting better each and every day.

We are now headed to Australia to train before Gold Coast,

The next stop on the circuit and the next city that will host. 

Bienvenidos a Mars

Well, oops my bad it seems I haven’t written for a bit,

Off season has come and gone and now I’m getting back into it.

I guess as a recap; the 2015 season was my best so far,

But my finish at the Chicago Grand Final was sub par. 

In the rankings I ended up fifth,

Which I was mostly happy with.

So fast forward a few trips, visits with family and sunsets galore,

Our time at home has ended and I’m excited for what 2016 has in store!

Last year there were a lot of big changes that I went through,

I had a new husband, a new team and a new coach to name a few.

This year I’m excited to go into year two,

besides additions to our squad there’s not much new.

And my new teammates have brought such a positive vibe,

The satisfaction in knowing that you’re in the perfect place is hard to describe.

It’s my first time visiting Fuerteventura,

And I have no doubt that I’ve strengthened my pleura.

It’s been three weeks since we arrived,

Into the JFTCrew atmosphere we have dived.

I love being back with the group and into such a routine,

Getting into a rhythm like a well oiled machine. 

There’s not much to do here besides training and rest,

and of course eating which is what we do best.

I’m surrounded by such a strong and fun team,

Just being with them each day makes me beam.

As an added bonus Tommy is here with me,

Training and taking pictures for all the world to see. 

Speaking of pictures where we are looks quite like mars,

Everything looking the same just past your handlebars.

But the trails are plentiful and the riding is a breeze,

Especially when the wind comes to take away the ease.

The 50 meter pool temperatures at Las Playitas are just right,

so when getting into the water there isn’t the usual mental fight.

Then there’s the open water swimming in the ocean that is near,

You can see straight to the bottom because the water is so clear. 

It’s the perfect place to train and it makes you stronger still,

There is no ride or run without a decent hill.

And the wind that comes can blow you to the other side of the road,

So every now and again you have to turn on the beast mode.

I really can’t believe that our time here has gone by so fast,

Soon our days here will be some of our last. 

Next up we head to Mallorca where everyone will regroup,

Hopefully it’s not so chilly this year that we’ll all be craving soup.

The Swedish Place on the Circuit

After not qualifying for Rio racing Stockholm was back on the list,

I had raced last year and it was a city I was happy I wouldn’t miss.

Flying into Sweden we were greeted with the most beautiful weather,

Which made the experience, the race and exploring that much better. 

New this year compared to last year’s race,

Was that it was Olympic distance with the swim in a new place.

I didn’t do the swim recon. on the Thursday before,

But on race day I found that it was conditions I adore.

A bit of chop and a ROKA wetsuit swim,

Had me feeling good when I got in.

When the gun went off I went for it right from away,

And I found my fastest swim that day.

Coming out Sarah, Carol and I had about a 20” gap,

Then on the bike Flora joined us after a lap.

Away the three of us tried to stay,

With Flora taking control and leading the way.

However, after about 5 laps we got caught,

And at this point I didn’t use the good positioning I’ve been taught. 

I ended up coming into T2 a few seconds back,

So I really had to push the start of the run to rejoin the pack.

I did just that but then Sarah and Andrea got a bit ahead,

At this point I was feeling quite tired and my legs a little dead.

But then I saw that Sarah had dropped Andrea a bit,

And I thought, “OK, Katie how bad do you want it”

I made a move to get back on Andrea’s butt,

Then once I did I was quite tired, and thought, “now what?”

I decided if I could just get to the hill a bit before,

Then I would give it my all once more.

The finish is right beyond a steep little hill,

So once I got to that I went, got 2^nd and finished with nil!

 I was very proud of my hard fought race, 

And getting my 5^th second place.

The next day Tommy and I changed our initial plans,

So that we can head back to California to work on our tans.

The Rio Deal

After the Rio test event I must confess,

That I needed to take a few days to digest.

I finished not really knowing how to feel,

The disappointment in not qualifying was quite real.

The main event of the year had came and went,

When I finished 6^th at my first Olympic qualifying event.

This was the Americans’ chance to qualify for the Olympics next year,

But they only took the first two Americans in the top 8 and I was the 3^rd I fear.

As in every race there were things I wish I could go back and do again,

But I realized there were things I could be proud of-even if it wasn’t a perfect ten.

So onwards I will look for my chance to qualify at the event next year,

Hoping I will get to use all the things I learned while I was here.

 

As for the race itself, well at the start I came from the rear,

Because when the horn went off I didn't hear.

So I frolicked into the water second to last,

But the adrenaline of missing the start must have lit a fire under my ***.

Because actually entering the water I was right in the front of the group,

So I just worked to stay in position during our 1500 loop.

Finally I had good transitions this race,

And got onto the bike in a good place.

However this was a weird start to the ride,

From the beginning we were like three people wide.

No one really went for it and so we all settled,

For the next eight laps that together we pedaled.

The uphill was easier than I would have guessed,

The downhill was steep putting my skills to the test.

It was important to have a good T2 with a large pack,

The run was going to be important to try and attack.

I did what I could and put myself there at the beginning,

But unfortunately throughout the race I was no longer grinning.

I fell off the group and for a while kept the same gap,

Until I got real tired during the final lap.

 I finished the race in sixth but was third for USA,

So I didn’t end up qualifying for the Olympics that day.

 I played the what-if game, got disappointed and sad,

But then looked back at the race that I had.

No it wasn’t perfect and I didn’t reach my goal,

But this race for better or worse played an important role.

I’m happy with my swim and how I was able to recover from my start,

And that I had transitions that weren’t as foul as a fart.

I was proud of the way I was able to handle scary situations on the bike,

And having a chance to qualify next year is an opportunity I really like.

I’m excited that I can identify a lot of places to improve,

So now it’s time to just get back into the end of the season groove.

Next up for me is Stockholm coming up next week,

Until then I am in France climbing peak to peak.

Thanks for all the support as I chase my dream,

I wouldn’t be where I am without my awesome team.

How To Train (with) Your Husband

When I first arrived in Clermont there was the reuniting bliss,

But as we started to train together a few things went amiss.

I’d forgotten what it was like to train with my spouse,

And it took a bit of time to bring order to the house.

I had forgotten a few critical things and would like to rewind,

Like the fact that quite often Tommy cannot read my mind.

I assumed he knew to stop talking when we picked up the pace,

But I quickly realized that this just was not the case.

I was reminded how critical it is to get enough sleep,

So that a toxic mood does not begin to seep.

 

 I was soon reminded he swims really fast,

And I mustn’t count the number of times he goes past.

I also remembered how communication is the key,

So I can get the most benefit from training with Tommy. 

I tell him when I’m grumpy and just don’t want to talk

I tell him that before we run sometime I like to walk.

 I tell him when he’s going too hard or if I want him to go faster,

And not to take too big of risks because that could be a disaster.

I tell him when he’s on pace and pushing me just right,

I tell him when I need him to protect me from an alligator bite.

So Tommy took over yet another role as training partner extraordinaire,

And I truly feel the partnership we’ve formed is really quite rare.

We are in each other’s company every waking minute,

He sees the best of me, but also the times when I’m at my limit.

He forces me to recover and not take on too much,

By binge watching The Blacklist, Netflix and such.

He’s the one pushing me to be my best and hold onto his wheel,

He’s also the one who’s telling me to trust in how I feel.

Each day he’s the one who gets me out the door,

And pushes me when he knows that I can give more.

I was reminded how when we work together how amazing it is,

And how it is possible for me to reach my goals while he reaches his.

So how do you train (with) your husband?

 

You talk to him no matter what the mood,

You tell him what’s on your mind before you turn rude.

You don’t assume he knows what you’re thinking in that brain,

Whether it’s about dinner or how you like to train.

You take away the stubbornness and input give and take,

Because not compromising could be your biggest mistake.

You make the important things known and let small things go,

And this is how you train (with) your husband like a pro.

 

This poem was written in collaboration with Mr. Tommy Zaferes

WTS Cape Town

South Africa is one of those places you go and it takes your breath away,

So it was exciting that after Gold Coast we were there for a ten day stay!

Typical for Cape Town the water front is quite chilly,

I actually like the element the 12 degrees Celsius water adds…really!

So the day before the race I got in to test it out,

The initial freeze of the water making me want to shout.

But it wasn’t too surprising when on race day the swim got changed from two laps to one,

Not my preference, but at least it was better than none!

When we dove in and started swimming I quickly took the lead,

Never thinking about the sharks that may decide to feed.

Thanks Delly Carr for the sweet photo!

I led out of the water in my ROKA wetsuit,

But it wouldn’t be Cape Town if I didn’t end up on my boot.

I accidentally slipped when I was in transition,

But recovered well and got onto the bike in great position.

Whoopsies, chain of events caught by Liezel

We had a group of four and I truly thought we would stay away,

Until Nicola Spirig and crew put their strengths on the bike on display.

We were caught at the end of the second lap,

Consumed by pretty much every other athlete on the course map.

Our group of three captured by Jeff Ayliffe!

The course was technical with some bumps that made me a bit wary,

Going through with such a large group can sometimes be scary.

I continuously had to work to move up through the masses,

And then I found myself at the back as others made their passes.

Putting on my Brooks Racer STs. Thanks Chris Hitchcock!

But going into T2 I was in an alright position,

And excited to actually have a relatively good transition!

We ran with a group of about ten throughout much of the race,

And I was just waiting for someone to change the pace.

This photo brought to you by expert photographer and masseuse GeOh Photography!

Vicky Holland did this with about one lap to go,

And in a lapse of focus she put a gap on me…oh no.

I never did catch Vicky and finished the race in second,

But I did hold off the Olympic gold medalist which is pretty good I reckon.



I was happy with my race because it was different from the rest,

Coming off with a huge group really put my running to the test.

I came away from this race with the fastest swim and run,

And you know being the current World Triathlon Series leader is pretty fun.

Thanks Jeff Ayliffe for capturing this moment for me, as well the others posted above!

This race showed me I have all the elements that are going to get me to the top,

But for now I will go home and regroup until London, which is the next stop!