TRI TRI TRI AGAIN

Goa Triathlon 2018

By Veloscope

October 19^th, 2018

Thrice the pain

Triathletes are an unfathomable lot. Usually, people get into one sport - endurance running, or cycling, or swimming. They get good at it. They experience pain and often suffering too, that comes with loving endurance sports. Then they decide to, consciously, sign up to treble it. Like, one sport wasn't enough for them. They want to go from an open water swim, come out dripping wet, hop on to a bike and ride hard, and return, only to leg it over a few more kilometres.

Triathletes are an inspiring lot. They end up knowing just as much about breathing techniques as they do about negative splits while running, and the right groupset for optimal performance.

They willingly push boundaries and shine brighter for it.

A deep dive into the goa triathlon 2018

What started as a swim meet in 2011 with Elias Patel and team has morphed into one of India's most awaited triathlons. Fully and ably managed by volunteers, with a detailed video recceing the route, no less, this event is a must-attend for triathletes in India.

Turf war!

Goa Tri is the battleground of Pablo and Lucia Erat. They have been winning the race hands down at every edition so far. Race ambassador Lucia Erat was the runner up at the Ironman World Championships last year in the amateur category. No amateur feat, that. Dr. Pablo Erat is a serial entrepreneur who balances his passion for being successful at the sport with monthly long-distance travel, by putting his footprints all over the world.

This year too, this duo was the one to beat.

Meet folker

Every champion needs a challenger and challenge never came as strong as this year.The German surprise this year was Folker Schwesinger who created mental shockwaves as he emerged out of the ocean first at the end of the swim, besting Pablo Erat; it had never happened before. Murmurs and a wave of hush discussions went around the beach, everyone knew there was a story developing. He then continued to lead the race for a good part on the bicycle leg. The challenge was on. Was this going to be the year the undisputed king finally got conquered? But then resembling something you would only see in a gripping sports movie, Folker took a wrong turn, owing, possibly, to him confusing a signboard or just a bad moment, in an effort which was flawless until then. The murmurs amongst the spectators were now louder. That was the break Pablo pounced back upon and took over the lead, to never drop it till the finish. Despite the upset and the need to double back, Folker finished close, really close - a mere 11 seconds behind Pablo! With his accomplishments as a triathlete and a taste of being in the lead for such a long part, we'd be hoping to see him return the next year, for another nail-biter!

Meet sujay

The guy who got Folker Schwesinger to the triathlon was the fastest Indian 70.3 triathlete, Sujay Shalawadi. This guy is as systematic and driven as they come... not to mention that rare thing in endurance athlete circles - quiet. Seriously, he's taking it slow and steady, in ramping up, without losing the quality and intensity of his training. Small surprise, given that he trains with the fastest Indian Ironman, Subramani Venkatesh - this, when he's not working on his PhD in Weimar, in Germany. This is one talented athlete to watch out for.

A race for everyone

For the elites doing the half-ironman distance, for others doing the Olympic and super-sprint distances, the goal was the same: to have three targets for each of the sports, to accomplish the targets, and to emerge mentally stronger at the end of the race. Interesting, and interestingly universal is that the delta improvement within oneself is always more than the sum of the three individual sports. One emerges feeling more in control, more resilient and more ready to give to one's own life. This single-minded focus is something that the Erats have spoken about in various interviews. Those triathletes that have not yet been interviewed for their successes will also agree that the sport asks for much, and gives much, much more in return.

The open sea swim

Swimming in open waters is a whole different kettle of fish compared to swimming in a pool. There are no perimeters, there is no temperature control, no clearly marked lanes and visibility is significantly lower. When you are swimming in a tri, you have to contend with significantly murky and disturbed waters; add to that, owing to the many others jostling for space, there is a good chance that you get hit by a thrashing limb, inadvertently.

Open water swimming is a skill - and like any skill, has to be acquired and practiced regularly. If you are a great swimmer in a pool, that doesn't automatically guarantee you'd be great at open water swimming. You have to learn to navigate the choppy waters, and be prepared for having no rest at the walls (because there aren't any). As compared to a 20-50 stroke swim session, a sprint triathlete does about 1000 strokes and an Ironman finisher would do about 5000 strokes. Triathletes learn to use the buoyancy to swim taller, using their entire bodyline. These guys just make it look easy - there are years of practice behind this ease that you witness in these images

see A different goa

For most of us, the Goa state of mind is "sun, sand and sea", maybe downing some Kings beer while on a hammock, watching the sun set over the west coast, maybe the flea markets...

This is a different Goa: experienced through the eyes of the locals. Goa lives in its villages. Fittingly, as you leave the resort for the bike ride, you hit the lovely undulating back roads where village life is on full-swing. You will also experience the famed Goa hospitality through the volunteers. Maybe at Mumbai marathon you might find people this earnest to help you. But you certainly won't find volunteers running beside you to ask what you want, sprint back to get it, and sprint back harder to reach you. That kind of commitment born out of love for the sport: Goa!

What you see here is people who love the outdoors and love the value of a hard day's work - whether that's chasing work or chasing a sporting goal. As a result, this little corner of the world celebrates her sporting heroes. Goa is equally welcoming of sporting heroes from other parts of the world.

This is the real goa too!

The struggle is internal

The race course was on till 5.30pm, which meant that triathletes giving it a go for the first time also had the chance to test their capabilities, rest when needed and proceed with caution. It was also supportive of those attempting the race for the 20th time or more, and were out to beat their best time till date.

At the end of the race, as with the end of the day, the struggle is mental. The ability to swim long distances, to run out and climb on bikes while still dripping from the ocean, and having fuel in the legs to pedal through country, village roads and highways till the cycling gives way to a half marathon - that is about ability, that comes from practice. What really took these athletes to the finish line is the question inside their own heads, that asks, "Do you have more to give to this day?" And when the answer is yes (and legendary marathoner Paul Tergat tells us, the answer is always 'yes'), it is all about bringing it home.

BRING YOUR TRI-BE

The beauty of a day outing while one of the family is sweating it out is that the rest get to watch them, store away memories, and aspire for the same years later. Bringing the tribe along - family and friends - truly makes for a future investment in triathlete talent!

tri the next year?

The Goa Triathlon is a great platform to wet your feet for the first time into the sport, and for setting tough goals and going after them. The estuary swim is safe and yet challenging. The village roads charming and tough to navigate. The weather balmy and yet nice. There is always a lovely holiday at Goa awaiting you at the end of the race, with nothing more than basking in the glory of your feat, the sun, the sand, susegad and maybe plans for another tri.