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Something you've just got to do
Posted: Friday January 28, 2000 04:18 PM
Currently ranked No. 10 in the world, Australian triathlete Miles Stewart began competing in triathlons in 1985. Since then he has won a World Championship and World Cup title. The triathlon will make its Olympic debut in Stewart's home country at the 2000 Games, and the 28-year-old plans to be there. Check out Stewart's diary each month on CNNSI.com
January 26, 2000
The time is just passing so quickly! Well, another big month and no mistake! As I had predicted, I suffered the whole way through the first two races (Cronulla and Coolangatta), but as I hoped (and planned) my form came up ready for round three and four of the Summer One series. Round three saw us in Melbourne (what a great city!) I was fired up for the race. Knowing that I managed a third and a second while feeling 60/70 percent fit. I knew with a couple more weeks of training my level would be better. I felt great through race three at St. Kilda and managed to win in a sprint finish from Courtney and Macca. I knew if I could win the next race in five days time, I would win the series.
At round four at Glenelg (Adelaide) disaster struck. Without realizing it, I managed to strain a thigh muscle in the last race and the race prospects looked bleak. I spent hours with osteopaths and physios during the week and decided to travel down to the race and see if felt any better with time. Friday was spent with local physios down there and a lot of ice. It was starting to feel better, but I couldn't get a straight answer out of anyone... should I race or shouldn't I? I could play safe and forfeit the race (and risk the series win), or I could give it a go and see how it felt. A very sleepless night led me into Saturday (the day of the heat) with no more of an idea if I was racing or not. Saturday morning passed and decision time came. I got all my gear ready and headed down to the race... still not sure. I'm not sure what it was, whether it was that buzz that surrounds any race arena or all the kids coming up asking for a signature and a swap card saying "we'll be shouting for you!" or that strange gut feeling when you know there's something you've just got to do, but 20 minutes before the race I decided I was going to race and warmed up constantly until the very last second. By this time every man and his dog knew I had a leg problem, and my fellow competitors decided to take every advantage they could. The heat started out with a run, and the boys took off. It was just 2 kms, but they worked me every step of the way. I tried to stay up in the front to show them I was okay, and it seemed to pay off. I ended up winning the heat and had to now wait and see how I pulled up for the final. Sunday morning I realized how badly I wanted this win. It would mean the St. George F1 series win -- something I've wanted for a really long time. To cut a long story short, I brought it home, leading from the start of the second swim and holding it together for the final 2km run to the finish. I not only took home the win for the day but the series win! Time to party! This is the series I have been after most since it started seven years ago. [Greg] Welchy and I have been battling to beat [Brad] Beven since day one, and I am satisfied now having the series wrapped up. Now to answer some questions. I will try to cover similar questions in the same answer. Training at the moment is for me quite long. The last two weeks have been 30 kms swim, 500 bike and 90-100 running over a six day period as I always have one day off a week (Friday). For the F1 series this year, I have done no specific training for it. I have just been sticking to the longer base training and using the races for speed -- that's why I am suffering so much during the events. A couple of days after the race I feel really fast. Who do I think is going to win the Olympics? Me. Blood testing -- I am in favor of anything that will help clamp down on drugs in sport. If they want to blood test go ahead, as long as the tests are good I say why not. Anything that helps to keep our sport clean has my approval. One last word before I leave you. One of my very good friends in this sport, Greg Welch, has just retired. He has accomplished so much in the world of triathlon. We'll miss the little plucky! See you next month. -- Miles
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