by Anne-Marie Carter-McAuslan
Anne-Marie Carter-McAuslan, CKAP member 1348 will be participating in the World’s International Triathlon Union (ITU) competition in Pontevedra Spain, this May. The following is an account of her preparation for the May 4th, 2019 event. Learn more about the event here: https://pontevedra2019.org/itu/en/
I began cycling to compete in 2003 and did my first triathlon around that time. Being a member of Almonte Bicycle Club helped me to understand the importance of preparation, and participation in their Time Trials spurred my competitive spirit.
I also started cyclotouring with my husband, David McAuslan, first to Newfoundland and then to many other areas in Ontario, USA, England, Ireland, Wales and France.
I love encouraging others to keep fit and push themselves to be the best they can be. I do this by group pages on Facebook, and in the past I have been an Ambassador for my favourite race, Barrelman. I continued to improve my swimming by joining the local Masters group at our local pool, and ran many miles till I did my first Around the Bay 30 km run in Hamilton, Ontario last year. I have done many 1/2 Marathons and long distance triathlons, and open water swimming competitions.
In 2013 I attended a triathlon camp in South Carolina and since then repeated the experience 4 times. I am in love with the long distances triathlons. Qualifying for Worlds has been my goal for many years.
Barrelman is my favourite event. It is in Niagara Falls/Weland and it is a 70.3 event (1). I came first in my age group in 2016. I have done it four times but due to a foot problem had to transfer last year to the Aquabike. This race was a 2km swim in the flat water center in Welland and a 90 km bike race which ended in Niagara. I ended up first in my age group, 60 to 64 years, and qualified for World’s ITU in Pontevedra Spain, this May.
After qualifying, the next day, my husband and I flew to Ireland and cyclotoured through Ireland, Wales and England. It was a good start off to train for Worlds. David has always been supportive of my endeavours, and with his help I am using the computrainer and a program to keep up my cycling over our long Canadian winter. Being a retired midwife has left me time to train and an appreciation of regular sleep and excercise.
In two weeks we will fly back to England so I can continue training in the South Downs. After 10 days we will leave for Spain by cycling to Portsmouth, taking a ferry to Santander, Spain, where we will cycle to Pontevedra. This will be my hill training for sure as we will also be carrying all our kit including my wet suit and extra gear for my competition. I have a support team of two other cyclists , David, and also, my cousins who are joining me at Worlds to cheer me on.
I am competing in the Aquabike, a 3 km swim and 112km bicycle.
After my race, my husband and I are cycling down the coast of Portugal to Lisbon. In total, we will be cycling approximately 1600 km.
You will find Anne-Marie’s athlete profile here: Anne-Marie(1) A 70.3 event is a half ironman