From Zero to Hero (World Championships)

August 18th laying in bed I found out about Xtri Greek Hero Extreme Triathlon(October 12th 2024). Months earlier an Italian friend of mine (Matteo) send me a link to ICON because in July I ran my first marathon as a joke due to my employer hosting an epic glacier marathon(ultraks), here in the Swiss alps. I had 4 weeks to train and the race turned out to be fast and incredibly fun except I wasn't able to walk for days after. At the time I was also still dealing with repercussions from a skiing accident including and not limited to knee surgery. `Back to bed`, I got immensely excited - the Extreme always intrigued me, only was I far away from being one of these crazy people. Never having done a triathlon, only recreationally pursuing different sports, I didn't think it was possible, the ensuing days though I intensively started researching training plans(building base endurance when others go into taper haha), watching videos of first timer mistakes and so on. I shared with a few, selected people the euphoria I was feeling and some were indifferent, some projected their own limitations on me; this in turn motivated me to try, just try. I remember sitting on the bus to work thinking: The odds are against me, but what consequences do I suffer if I don't make it? I am not one to be afraid of a bruised ego. I like to be wild, sure routines keep me safe but if I never try I will never know how good I can be - it's not mutually exclusive. I am wild and free - it makes me feel alive - what if I succeed? I was seeking out my guru (physical therapist, M.) who already healed me after a broken shoulder the year before. He said go, my newish partner said go, my sister(Hannah) said go, Matteo said go. So I did. I started running to work, swimming in my lunch break and running back home, on my off days I tried to get a bike ride in and one day rest. A propos 'rest', although my training was going well; no additional injuries, becoming healthier with a nutrition plan (I was eating like a racoon before) I was tired, always tired(I still am) had pain here and there but the strategy was: getting used to 18 hours of activity - I set out to finish in. Self reliance does not equal self assigned discipline - so the days I didn't adhere to my schedule I went to the sauna, telling myself to detox (it's a real thing though). I already knew names like Courtney Dauwalter, but her scope is just unfathomable, still... besides working, training and chores I was reading 'can't hurt me' by David Goggins - it carried me through, because very quickly my life was crumbling. For almost 6 months I have been single handedly renovating my kitchen from dirt and non functioning appliances, a landlord not caring, throwing that thing out and learning to build a new one inspired by Pinterest, setting new main water supply connections to be able to have a washing machine and dishwasher, induction cooking, new wiring for outlets which I haven't had before. I carried the freaking wood on the bus. I bought power tools and cut, and cut again when I noticed I messed up and so on... the thing was leaking everywhere and I gave up ..not as in giving up but I took weeklong 'breaks' until I had new ideas/insight into solving problems. Well a few days before flying to Corfu I finished the kitchen (for now) it's not pretty but its functional, many times I cursed from backpain. The polylemma(yep that's a word) continued...my boyfriend wasn't able to provide for what I needed, fighting against me, so I had to say good bye, my work place suddenly conflict laden - I couldn't bare it anymore. In order to sign up for Xtri Greek Hero you have to have a support car during the bike leg and a support runner for the last 18km for safety reasons. I reached out to my entire network, admittedly I am an introvert, so there weren't many people to begin with and nobody was able or willing to support me. I contacted the organizers and asked for help, the communication was quite difficult to navigate, although they ensured me they will find someone I felt very, very uneasy about the lack of information, and general exchange of words. Though at that point I just invested too much, I already had a road bike which I transformed into a triathlon bike by myself, no need to say it was a shit show, buying tools and parts, often the wrong things, putting it together hoping it will work out, the day before my flight I finished it and had a mechanic 'look it over' and rode it 10km in summary - the odds are against me!!! All in all I spent more money than I had, besides the already mentioned, also buying a wetsuit, an airplane bike case - thanks to my sister, who decided with her partner(Steven) to vacation there and lend me the money. I was able to go. With some more blessings I didn't have to camp the night before the competition. I had to lug the 20kg oversize gear across 2 countries up and down stairs, in those moments I surrendered to adversity and found my deep seated strength. Now I welcome those misfortunes, the pain cave, the 'no's'. I tried my wetsuit once in 13degress Celsius after which I was sick for almost 3 weeks prior to the competition. I was hoping, hoping not to have stomach issues, or knee pain. I thought I can swim, I can bike and I can run, not fast but 18 hours without mechanical failures or getting lost (my specialty) should be possible. Living at 1800m and being a mountain goat (Capricorn) born in water I had that going for me - the uphill's. Be the mountain my Muse. The whole year was in that sense incredible, my best friend turned his back on me, I lead an associate up a mountain I was terrified of(due to exposure), I went to cycle Mallorca by myself, got my dream job, been living in my cherished place for a year, 3 years in Switzerland in which I taught myself skiing by watching Youtube videos, buying stuff and touring up a mountain trying to figure out how to get down; on the way down, by myself(you get the idea). I am at ease and peace with myself. My 3 year old niece recently shaved her head wanting to look like me (I had hip long hair before and then relatively short) - I suppose I was her hero already - I embraced her joy for life and disinterest in peoples norms and opinions so in her honor and with the devotion to the spiritual, to what really matters in life I shaved my head, joking it'll make me more aero. Embracing true Womanhood. My last run was in 20cm fresh snow - I love winter- everything becomes more magical. The travel journey started on the 10th after work, to my luck a friend sent me off with well wishes. As soon as I landed I had to rush to find my apartment, dumb everything, rush to the race briefing. I was a bit intimated by the actually, athletic looking people, recognizing faces they featured on social media beforehand. Other than no poles allowed there wasn't really news with the information you had to study beforehand. We met with my supporters, not gonna lie, the driver made me think my sister will die in a car crash and I from dehydration, however the runner being jolly saying: You'll be a Greek Goddess tomorrow, made me believe all I have to do is make it until he joins me and I'll be okay. (the driver did a fantastic job after all) After the briefing the stress began again. For 7 weeks I was making sure to get 8 hours of sleep (that, besides not drinking alcohol I am sure is the best you can do with training and nutrition). Hannah and Steven not living in the same country as I, we now had to discuss my race strategy while I am putting my bike back together hoping nothing is broken, quick shopping and cooking, not risking an upset Gi tract. We had a rough layout and the bike was whole, the details weren't worked out and it's close to 11pm. I tried for some sleep, they took my transition bags and course nutrition to their place, I only had the course on my watch which I am still learning to use. At 5 am I was rolling in my Onesie to T1, so far so good, I had breakfast, warming up. The athlete shuttle left with a delay due to goats on the street to the swim start. Another women(G.) sat next to me and we talked about both being newbies not really having a clue -thank you. I had to walk barefoot on the rocks to the beach because I didn't have extra shoes - the red sunlight creeped slowly through the night. I jumped in the water - it was warm- good! Then I noticed I haven't washed out my googles properly (antifog soap). I tried to no avail. So I started with soapy googles, my eyes burned hellish real quick, my wetsuit was rubbing my neck sore(still gotta cut that piece out or something) but all the same I was so cheerful and delighted that I swallowed salt water left and right, I had to switch to breast stroke and got rewarded with the most stunning sunrise, while everybody head down, I was going the most straight line and enjoying. My fear of dark open waters vanished. The under water world was gorgeous. I was happy. To my surprise I didn't come out the water last, ran to my bike. Hannah and Steven waiting, striped down and with lots of Vaseline put my race suit on, socks, shoes, bib holder, helmet, I also wore a buff because I am a mouth breather and swallowing insects might be my game over. Next I was flying, crushing my muscle into the pedals and flying fearlessly, my bike handling skills are sub par - not this time, the bike was superb, comfortable. I started the bike leg with Ewout 'you soon disappeared and around every corner I was looking for you'. I never got him but many others. Corfu is so stunning, the roads were partially so rough I thought my bike will break into pieces and I prayed to the gods to protect me, we went along beaches so dazzling I was tempted to stop right there and never return to my every day life. I had a blast. I was fast. Every 45 min, traffic permitting, my team was waiting for me to get me refueled - water, sugar, salts, protein, caffeine, pickle juice -my calculations worked out so perfectly. The weather couldn't have been better, pure sunshine not too hot. The people and cars on the road didn't care about us but as I said I had no fear whatsoever. My stomach didn't hurt, my psoas and knee didn't hurt, my butt didn't hurt, it was all manageable. The moment I found out I was in position of 2nd women I knew I am gonna go for it, everything can change in a second but I was thrilled and determined, that's my place. I will podium - how incredible? Coming off the bike, to my surprise I wasn't tired, well at least not my body, my mind degraded slowly,  the constant concentration was taxing, I wasn't excited to run but I found a good rhythm, calculating I will be in T2a before dark, I got overjoyed  (I am scared in the dark woods). Most of the run I was by myself, until I found number 11. We went over the boulders and beaches together - thank you. I had to keep going though, by the time I met my crew I really wanted it to be done, I haven't been able to drink and eat for a while now - it was just too much, I was groggy and tired. 'The faster I run the faster I am done' became my mantra. S. and I ran into a lovely sunset, next up I hit a wall (the typical 30km -ish wall in marathons) and started walking, I simply couldn't do more and before it got better it got worse. I really just wanted to lay down and decay there, the course became more difficult, rocky, jungle, olive nets, dark, but after 2hours walking I regained some energy, was able to eat and drink a bit and ran the last kms out. The moment of arrival wasn't as spectacular as I thought it would be, it took in fact some days of emotions to process what I did. Though I knew then, there is more to this!! Greek Hero Xtri is a truly awesome place for a first extreme triathlon, yes the markings didn't always match the gxp, there were support cars were there weren't supposed to be any. The people are kind, all folks organizing and attending were simply amazing. I was even able to sleep that night and the nights after, before I had to travel back - the real world, the real work, buses, airplanes, busses and trains back to my job, and laundry and dishes and bills, with a 20kg bike bag, by myself. I am proud, not that I finished second woman but that I was willing to fail. I was suffering for all the competitors arriving after me - the real heroes. I am grateful. Hannah and Steven dedicating everything to me, taking care of me, supporting me - I felt loved. At the ceremony I was told I qualified for Norseman (World Championships) and considered the hardest triathlon on earth. I had to make a quick decision as my slot is gonna go away if I don't sign up within 10 days.... Back to the finish line, I for the first time really looked at my phone and got overwhelmed by many messages of dear people following my race that day, by live tracking including my for almost 10 years estranged older brothers, they were with me the whole day - So thinking about Norseman. - my sister and brother told me they'll be on the sideline. I signed up knowing I have to take on extra jobs - I am going to the extreme triathlon world championships in Norway August 2nd 2025 and I will crush it!!! This is insane, one triathlon, one shot and I am in, I have 10 months to prep, waking up now I am giddy with purpose, wanting to move, to suffer, because when the times comes I won't be scared - I am gonna enjoy, and I'll be stronger than before. As I am writing this I am dead tired, I am working, building relations, running, unpacking, cooking, tending to my injured cat, it's cold and rainy and dark outside but I am studying and learning - I will make adjustments and plans. Funnily(yeah that's the adverb of the adjective funny) I wasn't even sore whatsoever. If you want to support my journey send me some fruit and veggies or a message. Whatever you are fighting for I am here cheering you on.

I am a Greek Goddess!