Glasgow Shenanigans.

The XX Commonwealth Games aren't quite over yet, but we've been home for almost a week already, and so a personal update on my part seems to already be overdue. Back in the training routine, it's hard to believe that not that long ago we were part of one of he biggest sporting events of the year in Glasgow. 

We had the chance to get the full games experience as we arrived in the village a few days before the sporting events started. The village itself is quite interesting. They have basically built a small colony on the edge of the river, complete with food services, laundry, entertainment center and special sections based on your country and your sport. A colony where mostly English speaking super-human with all sorts of athletic abilities roam the streets, sometimes in odd attires, and live in close proximity with each other for a few weeks.In the colony your accreditation is your lifeline, a free pass to mostly everything (even the bar) and you better not lose that baby. Outsiders are frowned upon, although you are allowed to leave the colony if necessary. Wireless is abundant, except in the dining hall, where we were forced to make conversation with those sitting across us rather than those at the other end of the word on screens. How odd. Genius, if you ask me. The first day at the colony felt a little bit like a family reunion as I saw people I hadn't seen in many months (or even years in some cases). 

I found it quite surreal to be talking to other athletes in the village and later than day, they would pop up on TV, in this very professional broadcast of them doing what they do best. Then they would come back to the village and eat dinner like everything was normal. There were even some Wiggins sightings (but I was too busy riding my bike to notice) and several other fast Canadian athletes that I wish I had the courage to go talk to. Wasted opportunity. And now for the races....

July 24th - Individual Triathlon Event

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY. 

Picture to break up the text. I'm in there. for a bit. 

I’m “the bad”. I’m the one whose race didn’t go according to plan. I’m the one who got a little caught up in all the shit going in, who got a little distracted, who got a little soft in a moment that mattered too much to afford going soft. And when the bubbles dissipated in front of my face, when I realized the gravity of the situation, it was too late. I rode around the course on my bike, along with some nice South African ladies who also missed the pack, lamenting to myself how much fun it would be to mix it up at the front. After leaving my bike in T2, I had a little chat break with the hefe who gave me some fairly terrible news and told me to get off the course. Easier said than done. I don’t know if the coverage properly conveyed the magnitude of the crowds who came out or the impeccable barricades installed for our race, but finding an opening and a quiet spot to sulk was near impossible. I trudged back to transition, and ended the day with a DNF besides my name. 

Wasted opportunity.

“ The good”? That’s Kirsten of course! After many years of injuries and setbacks and odd happenings she had a lucky break(luck she works hard to have happen), one everyone always knew she could have, and landed herself on the podium with a 2nd place finish after a finely executed race. Quite the excitement! 

And “the ugly",  that’s breaking a collarbone after the second crash of the day. That’s the terrible news I got shortly before dropping out of the race. That’s our third teammate, Ellen, who met a barrier and then the ground a little quicker than she expected. Shit happens. She had a great swim, and was in a great position, but sometimes there are things outside your control that determine your destiny. She’s been a trouper through the entire experience, got some good care from the Canadian doctors and the polyclinic staff in the village, and she’ll be back winning races shortly. She left a big whole on the team and in my heart. The whole on the team, I would have to fill myself on the team relay on Saturday. The one in my heart, it’ll stay there until she’s back training by my side.

Kuddos to the rest of the podium on the day. Jodie and Vicky showed the rest of the english world how it's done, and no one had anything to add (besides Kirsten). Yorke and Bailie on the men's side get race of the day for their 4th and 5th place finishes respectively. 

July 26th. Team Relay Event. 

Team Maple Syrup gets to work 

Kirsten started things off for us and tagged off to Sharpe in first. Great start to the day for Canada eh! Sharpe mastered his leg of the relay and kept it together in the run, even though he hasn't had the easiest time this year with injuries and all. Very proud of my tallest friend. I gave a good effort and managed to hold my position, doing my utmost to not let Emma Jackson get a lead for Australia on that mile run. Andrew brought it home for us in style and once again it came down to a sprint finish with Bailie. The finishing order was reversed, and we nabbed the fourth position. That one didn't sit quite as well with Andrew. Proud of every member of the team for the awesome display of guts and speed. I hope you got to see it, because it was too exciting. We have some room to grow as a team and hopefully the team event becomes an integral part of triathlon one day. 

Sharpe, Kirsten, Me and Yorke. Team Canada. 

The "team" deserves a huge thanks. It goes without saying, JT got us ready to perform on the day, and we were. Drew Marilyn, Dr Patty, Sharleen, Roger, Libby. Medals don’t win themselves, and athletes are no islands. I also got lots of love on the race course, from my parents who made the trip from Canada, my uncle and the fam, Jess, and even a few Aussies who might have cheered for a Canuck or two along the way....Couldn’t thank y’all enough. The volunteers and officials also put on a wonderful show, in the village, at the park and around he city. Scotts are awesome. I knew that already of course, but now that I have more than a couple acquaintances it holds more weight. I'll be back. Oh, and the kiwis. They know how to party. 

Until then, it's time to get ready for the Grand Finale. 

-sarah

Yokohama!

ferris wheels are big in Japan. 

Racing often has its perks. Gaining experience is one of them. Airmiles and airline points another. There’s also those drawstring bags we get every race, I’m gathering quite the collection at the moment.  I’m also racking up the Points, those precious WTS points. Having more Points means I there are higher chances of having a camera shoved in my face as I attempt to avoid looking like a fool while I fumble to organize my transition properly before the race starts. Tattoos are also easier to put on (and take off!). What I wasn’t expecting was how long the wait would be for everyone else to be called down to the pontoon, while I gaze ahead at the empty race course trying to settle the nerves and convince myself I made a great choice with my starting position. This time around, I did make a good choice.

I don’t usually get to many instruction before racing. Saturday, I was told to keep that swim “on the rivet”. And “on the rivet” it was. I sure was glad to round out that last buoy and see that I was in relatively good company for the time being. In excellent company I should say! In fact, maybe our party was a little too popular, as everybody and their mother decided to join our peloton. We didn’t keep the pace high enough for it to remain exclusive, which means most of the field was present at the start of the run. And in my yo-yoing from the kinda front to the dead back to almost the back, I got to visit with most everybody in that pack, even those best to be avoided.

Gwen decided she had enough of the party scene and went off on her own once we stepped onto the pavement. I limited myself to a few close friends, some of which stayed for longer than others, and some of which decided they had enough of me and ran ahead. In the end, I didn’t catch the former steepleling Duck from Belgium on the blue carpet, but did manage to get by one of the Japanese girls (many of which showed up big on home turf, which is always nice to see!)

All in all, I was super-duper pleased with a great swim (by my former and current standards), and a solid run which I was more confident would come this time around. 7^th in the final results, which lets me climb back up to 4^th in the overall series rankings. More awkward waiting-staring time and camera-in-the-face time coming up in London in two weeks…

Shoutout time! Yorke for a best ever 15^th place with an impressive run. Gwen of course for winning. Dave, Sharleen and Marilyn for not only being world class at their jobs, but also awesome people. The wizards (Char, Aaron Ryan) for a good weekend. Thanks Yokohama for putting on a great show, making us feel unorganized, too tall and not respectful enough. You set the standard high Japan!

Until next time, 

-sarah

party of five. 

What I'm Going to Miss

• The beach. Most specifically North Beach. Days like these.

• Leisure Coast Groceries. They found the best way to get lazy people to buy too many vegetables (just grab a bucket!). Which is only a problem when you have to stuff them I a backpack in order to get them all home.

• Massive multi-family tubs of sunscreen at the pool for all to use. Greatest investment in public health in a country where the UV rays are too strong for redheads. 
• Surfers. Surfers in the water, surfers at the beach, surfers running to the beach to surf, surfers biking to the beach to surf. Surfers everywhere. 
• Flat Whites. Diggies on a sunny morning. Or after a group session. 

• Spearman’s and Northside Runners. They all understand “I’m with Jamie” means no compromise. They also play street cricket on Australia day with the triathletes. Great people, great stores.
• Cheap grapes and peaches. And passion fruit and mango. And pumpkin. Not the canned stuff. 
• The pie shop at the top of Jamberoo pass. Familiar sights are comforting on long rides. Especially when they mean a bit of a break for the legs. And the end of the climb. 

• Friday morning Open Water Swim Session. Body-bash session. Sometimes, the two were quite similar. Taste of it here...
• Sunday roast dinner with the eclectic group of people living under one roof at the top of Kembla street.

Most of us are leaving the Gong for the warmer, greener pastures of Vitoria by way of Yokohama. I’m lucky, I’m bringing most of the people I like with me (or rather, I’ m following them). I hate goodbyes, but I plan on coming back someday. In the meantime, life won’t change so much; the environment will be different, but the work and the goals remain the same.

See you on the flip side!

But don't forget to tune in for some fast racing on Saturday, 10AM Japan time! 

Cheers

WTS RACE #1. AUCKLAND.

Unless you've been living in a twitterless, information vortex, you might be aware by now that I finished fourth at the first WTS race of the season in Auckland. To say I am pleasantly surprised would be a bit of an understatement.

Training has been going well, nothing extraordinary, but every week had been getting better slowly but surely. I gained some confidence from winning the Mooloolaba CC and yes, got back to work after that. I also got some new socks. Some nice tall black cycling socks, Aussie style. Sometimes, it's the little things. I landed in Auckland Tuesday night feeling pretty good and looking forward to a few easy days in my favourite country.

So how was it to race the best in the world?

Well, I tried to pretend it was just the same as I had always done, and that it was just another race. And it really was ‘just another race’.

I dove off the pontoon between Routier and Pennock, which gave me a clearish path to the first can. The rest of the swim, I was a little gridlock and bumped around, but not overly concerned by it. 

Once I mounted my trusty stead, I jumped on Jenkins wheel and didn’t let go until I was safely tucked in the pack. The hills were tough, but I was more than ready for the demands of competition. I don’t have much confidence in my run yet, so I was a little worried when Barbara’s pack came back on us, a few laps before the end of the forty kilometres ride.

I ran out of transition like I’d never stopped racing, like I knew exactly what I was doing. I stuck my nose out there, more because I was worried that if I didn’t stay actively involved I would get left behind than for intimidation purposes. The hardest thing about that run was to ignore the names on the suits around me. Well, running was hard too. I could smell the podium with a few kilometres to go, but those ladies were too good for me on the day. Haug (GER) and Jenkins (GB) ran away from me on the last lap, and that was all I had that day. Since we had caught the two kiwis from the breakaway, that left Stimpson at the front, and me in fourth.

I owe the Wollongong Wizards, my beloved teammates, for showing up ‘errday  and pushing me to be the best ‘me’ I can be, by being the best they can be.

I owe Jamie Turner a lot. Mostly, a new stroke and an attitude.

I owe Libby and Triathlon Canada for the opportunity.

pics by Delly Carr....pretty cool running buddies!

I hope you enjoyed the show on the weekend, here’s to some more good days out there in 2014!

results and 3 minute video recap fort those interested...

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Quick takes from Mooloolaba CC:

• Sometimes, we travel to races and everything seems to come together. The accommodations are great, the people are funny and interesting and thoughtful, the logistics flow and things go according to plan. Last weekend was one of those trips. TriCan has something to do with that. Thanks.
• Mooloolaba is a stunning location for a race. Or a vacation. I encourage you to go if you ever get the chance. Or just make that chance happen.
•  Triathlons are exciting. I got to watch the big girl’s race on Saturday and there are some speedsters out there! Pretty excited to have a go at it myself sometime soon, but we’re taking it one step at a time.
• I’ve "updated" my swim stroke, cycled heaps, just gotten back into a constant running schedule. THAT is why I didn’t race the WC, for all those asking. One step at a time.
• Golly, it feels good to put my arms up in the air. Again.
•  I am fully aware I’ll have some bigger fish to fry soon. But I showed up on Sunday (too early, but what can you do) ready to get the job done. I found a few things that may need tweaking, so I’ll be working on that.
• Ellen and I can pack my bike in 10 minutes. Biggest accomplishment of the weekend. Also, my fastest drug test ever, even though the volunteers refused to give me water cups on the run course because we were only allowed water bottles at the one water station which stocked them. They train them well.
• Coming back to Wollongong felt like coming “home”. That’s a good sign.
• To finish up, huge shout out to my teammates/training partners/friends. Gwen for winning, Ellen for a huge run to nab 4^th place,  Kirsten for a stellar swim and a 7th overall, Brian Keane for best dressed, and New Jake for winning the men’s side of things on Sunday morning.

-         

                                          - Did you get New Jake
                                                    - Me: I don't know, someone got champagne in my eyes
                                                     - New Jake: Yeah, someone got champagne in my eyes too. 

Results Here: Mooloolaba Triathlon Oceania Cup 2014

Who 

Ellen-Matt-Andrew-Sarah
Canucks at North Beach

– me. (sarah-anne) I’m part of a group of young Canadian triathletes, the new generation they might say. There’s also a slew of Aussies who know what’s up, a couple fast Americans, a go-proing Hungarian, a South African,  and a slight Chilean who likes to make fun of me.  We form a “group of individuals” working together towards a goal. This group is also known as the Wollongong Wizards (although I have yet to be officially inducted or get tatted up)

What  

-Training. Training. Training. Learning about myself, and life, and triathlon. If you've seen me over the past few months, you probably thought my training was quite relaxed, that being a triathlete seemed like a sweet pastime. I got to see friends, family, a little bit of British Columbia, meet some cool  people, and then see more family. But that time is over now. Not that it wasn't enjoyable, but time off implies that there needs to be some `time on`, and this is it. Time to get to work, to go after the process that will deliver performance. So don’t get married in the winter or the summer, I’m not coming (unless you get married in Spain, then we could maybe work something out…). Fall weddings FTW.

hanging out at coopers with the mommies over break.
No more free afternoons now.
except for Sundays, 

Where

 –Australia. Mostly Wollongong (google it), a little bit of Falls creek, although that part is now over, before we launch for Europe, and ultimately Edmonton for the World Championships (upon qualification, of course) But for now, we’ll be rooted in Wollongong, which is a university beach town south of Sydney. Yeah, life could be worst.

When 

– I missed the countdown on the East Coast by a few hours. I caught the 12 bangs of midnight in Vancouver, sitting on the runway waiting for the interminable international flight to take off. That’s when it started. But realistically, I've been prepping for a while. Ever since I got back from my last adventure. Shout out to the parents for helping with the last prep before take off.

Why

 – The relentless pursuit of excellence. Racing the best in the world on the ITU circuit. Winning. 

I feel like I ran away a little bit, when I talk to people and they aren’t sure where in the world is Sarah-Anne Brault. I guess it's hard to keep up at times. I hope this little guide helps. I’m also hoping I can get some more updates up, about life, triathlon, maybe some racing stories. But we'll take life one days at a time, one session at a time. It makes it all that much sweeter if I can share it with y'all. 

Thanks for reading,

Until next time.

Summer Time. Highs and Lows.

Hello dedicated readers, and thank you for tuning in,

It’s been a while, but let’s not dwell on the past shall we!  Although, before we forget it all, I’ll do a quick summary of what I've done with my time over the past few months.

•  I graduated from West Virginia University with a BS in Finance for the College of Business and Economics. My parents, brothers and favorite aunt drove down for the occasion and I got to show them around town. (Big Up, I still enjoy telling people I graduated, so don’t hesitate to ask me when you see me).

  

  Steph A and I at the B&E Convocation

•  I failed to qualify for Nationals Track by racing foolishly at Regionals, and just not being fast enough on the day. (big low, don’t mention that)
• I left all my friends and family in Morgantown. forever. (big low)

  

  Part of The Team. Miss them already

•  I saw all my Winnipeg friends and got to see coach Pallett who is on track to lose a whole Tyler pretty soon, is a proud grandpa, and is doing a great job with the juniors up in frozenland. (big up)
•   I got to fly to Victoria to train for a while and meet the awesome IST (integrated support team) team which will be with us until Rio. Very excited to be working with all those passionate and professional people! (big up)
• Had the chance to race the world cup in Edmonton with all my friends. (so-so results, great experience) Welcome back to ITU racing Sarah.
  
•   Travelled to Brazil without my trusty companion who happened to crash in Edmonton (Big low - heal quick tyler)
•    Raced PATCO championships on Sunday. Got 2^nd in the race (results here), which was won in impressive fashion by Pamela Oliveria soloing from the front. I tried to limit the damage to the best of my abilities but I, let’s say, ran out of road to run her down. All in all, very pleased about with that result. I’ll be facing much stronger field in the near future but it’s a good start and it’s always a good feeling when I can execute the plan.(Big Up!)

As you can tell, this is a very much abbreviated summary, and if have any questions/comments regarding any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact me. Maybe one day I’ll write more about my races, or my travels, or all the interesting junior kids, or rather young adults, I got to spend the last week with in Brazil.And I have no doubt the next few months will bring their fair share of adventures that I can share with all my readers…

Until next time,

-sarah