It Ended Epic & It Will Start Way EPIC-er

by Carole Fuchs

for Trilife Magazine

Photo by KIATTIPONG FROM BIKE ZONE

Extreme-sports-junkie me, developed through the practice of rock climbing and mountaineering. Flirting with boundaries and pushing the limits of what is possible gives me the feeling of really being alive. I embraced triathlon four years ago when I arrived in Thailand to write my PhD dissertation. Swimming was a bitter memory from high school when I was using my imagination to escape swim sessions, biking was a way to commute as a teenager, while running was never useful to the vertical opera climbing. Nevertheless, my new lifestyle as a triathlete rapidly became an obsession until I decided to make it a full time activity as a professional one year ago and became the only pro triathlete representing Thailand.

Chasing Dreams

A late start from a totally different background and a job as a legal counsel did not predispose me to become a professional triathlete. Believe me, never give up on your dreams. Impossible is Nothing was Muhammad Ali’s slogan. After fourteen months of intense training, I managed to make my way to the podium as an age grouper pushing myself to the edge until I became the fastest age grouper at a number of races in Asia. Taking the challenge to prove that I could make my way to the pro field was far from easy and the trigger occurred in Cebu at Cobra IM 70.3 2014 placing myself among the top overall women.

Still working as a legal counsel part time, I found the extra challenge of combining two jobs to be a fulfilling experience. Triathlon helps me to cope with my professional life and define my goals.

Transition to 2016

An epic season 2015 full of learnings with all the ups and downs to enjoy and overcome are strengthening my body and mind and gave new tools to prepare for season 2016.

November 2015, especially has been a mixture of excitement, fun and pain through the two toughest races in Asia: my first IM distance race in Langkawi, Malaysia and Challenge half in Phuket, Thailand. The Langkawi experience taught me how to challenge the distance and keep the mind strong. I had to face the fact that I got lost early on the run course adding an extra painful 4km to my marathon. Tough reality for the mind at this stage. After 42km in the heat and humidity of the island, the legs rapidly became as hard as wood and I had to pull out after all the preparation invested in that race. Twelve days later was Challenge half in Phuket, taking the bet that my body will recover on time and ready to give what was left in that machine, mentally prepared - not much left but a strong determination to cross the finish line as fast as possible. It was a slow race but I am never disappointed with races taking them as a valuable experience.

Now off-season after the hardest month of my triathlete path, it is about time to enter the transition area between 2015-2016.