Natalie Van Coevorden- Australian Triathlete

The past 4 weeks have been probably the hardest mentally and physically. I came back to Australia, jumping straight off the plane into pre worlds training. From then on, there was no going back with everyday providing challenging and quality sessions. I looked forward to everyday, waking up knowing what we were preparing for. We had specific Auckland spec sessions that threw everything it could at me, shattering, yet satisfying. I was training in an elite environment, surrounded by my 2 other Under 23 team members. We pushed each other everyday and I watched them improve and develop around me, quite scared of what they could bring out on race day. I came into everyday not knowing how I had recovered from the days before, taking the good with the bad, knowing that fatigue had settled in. The last month of preparation has flown past and before I knew it, we were travelling to Auckland. Having the opportunity this year to be invol...

  163 days later, 11 countries, multiple trips, hours spent in airports and too many minutes to count sleeping in the most uncomfortable places gaining whip lash from swinging my neck, I am can finally change my current location for a few months as Australia. Home sweet home J The homely comforts of my own bed, coming home to dinner, my parents doing the shopping and washing and of course being back in “ctown” or Campbelltown, are probably the things I missed the most. Now I can say, that I can never escape France as I have Paris in my bedroom with a welcome home surprise on my wall. The even better part was that I was home to support my team in the AFL Grand Final. Not many people know that I like AFL but I am happy to admit, I am crazy fan! Happy to say after a few nervous moments, the Sydney Swans won J J   With the morning check of emails, the refresh button was getting a good working out sin...

After a long plane flight from Europe and arriving 7 hours ahead of the time we have been living at for the past 5 months, Korea awaited us for the last 5 days of our overseas trip. I have heard many things about Tongyeong especially the range of food choices and the lack of things to do. I am more than happy to live off rice and tuna for a few days but I was more worried about how long it’s been since my Olympic distance triathlon. Tongyeong does offer adamant facilities to swim, ride and run pre race. An early start to race morning, I wasn’t feeling that well. Tired, change in eating times and nerves all settled in. The water was a fresh 20 degrees, a few degrees colder than a few days before. With only 26 girls starting, it was a small field to contend with. My first lap of the swim was an absolute shocker and I was stuck behind people and getting caught up in mid pack madness. Exiting the first lap, I was fu...

The 2 nd last stop before heading back to Australia, this race was the final French Grand Prix for the year. In the middle of hard training towards other events later in the year, I was 99 percent positive that I was not certain how my body would handle racing.   I am always excited to spend time with my French team as I am surrounded by different people, a different environment and another language to get my mind around. Arriving the day before, it was the first opportunity to have an easier day with minimal training and spend time with my French team. Nice reminds me of home- bike paths, beach, sunshine, tourists and relaxed residents! The sun was shining, a non wetsuit swim and my team was ready to go. With Tri Val de Gray being in 9 th place were still do not get much chance to pick our team place on the start line. So I would not really call massive stone like pebbles a beach! Sand please? It was actually quite painf...

Where has the last 5 months gone? Time flies when you’re having fun!! I know it’s getting close to home as the important date has been written by Mum on the fridge at home. I have a wonderful opportunity given to me to race and live overseas for so long with the support of my biggest fans, my parents. I love the training base I am in here in Vitoria and could not be any happier. With the constant support from NSWIS and Triathlon Australia my time overseas is maximised to the greatest so I have a chance to perform to my best. With the facilities of the recovery centre less than a minute across the road, my recovery from sessions everyday has been improved. With access to ice bath, hot salt water pools, normal pools and spas, I have time to have some self- time, water running in-between. Gratitude , thankfulness , gratefulness , or appreciation is a feeling, emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit t...

Stockholm World Championship Series Leading up to Stockholm, this was the first time that I had the chance to have 4 weeks of solid training. With a few ups and downs within the weeks, I got a reality check of where I was at. Training was based around what we needed to achieve to maximise our performance in Stockholm. I was happy to get some speed back into the body. Without realising before briefing, over 50% of the course was on cobble stones, some on a downhill and an uphill transition area. Stockholm is known for rain and wet conditions and in most people’s eyes this is asking for some eating of the pavement. A quote from Erin Densham summed up what I thought:   “ yes, it’s technical, there are cobblestones, it’s going to be exciting, you have to be able to handle your bike as well in this sport. It’s not just about boring courses and being strong, so I’m looking forward to the course.” Race day was again lat...