No PB this time

It took me a while to finish this post. I wasn’t sure how to approach it. I wanted to share my experience but somehow was hesitant at the same time.

So I participated in my 2nd Hyrox race in Manchester, in January this year.

I had high expectations, to beat my previous time of 1hr 46 min.

I felt confident, my running got better, I felt stronger and....

heavier.

I put some extra weight on but I kind of neglected it and pretended it didn’t happen.

On the race day, it didn’t feel great. I was nervous, adrenaline was rushing through my veins, but I also felt weak despite having energy gels just before the race.

Start line and everything became real again. I’m going to race in 10, 9, 8...

START!

First lap went well, so I ditched the nervousness and tried to focus on the race.

SkiErg was good, 2nd lap not so much, but my favourite station was next - sled push.

I felt so strong and confident...

...too confident, as I found out shortly.

Rather than pause half way through like Michele told me to do, I decided to go full on, as it was my favourite station and I did so well during my training.

Now I know it wasn’t the best of my ideas. It killed me! 2nd station and I had nothing left.

Sled pull, burpees and everything else felt like torture. Surprisingly my last run was 1 min quicker than my previous race. I give credit to Michele though, who shouted at me so much that I had no choice but to speed up.

Wall balls with new counting screens were disastrous. After the first 12, I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy one.

And even Michele’s voice in the background wouldn’t help.

But I did it.

No PB for me this time, I’m afraid.

6 mins slower than the previous race.

I felt disappointment, big af.

But as Michele pointed out, I did my best. I couldn’t have given more on that day!

It was a tough lesson, but as I was drinking RedBull, trying to catch my breath, I decided that I’m going to do it again!

The beauty of Hyrox is that you compete with yourself and nobody else.

It’s also the hardest thing about that race, but I guess that’s why we all do it, again and again.

I do have relay and doubles already planned this year, but I’m looking forward to my next solo one, so watch this space, as I’m not going to give up that easily.

I’m grateful for my daughter Nell, Michele and Graz who were there to support me. Thank you!

And for you dear reader:) Well done! You’ve made it. You managed to get to the end of that post!

Thank you for reading this post. 

I wish you all the best in achieving your goals, whether it’s your first race or you're chasing that PB, like me!😊

Post race face:)