Half the battle is to turn up! US National Championship Cross Triathlon Austin April 18 2026

After winter triathlon nationals, I am happy to report that I have been healthy and training is progressing okay. I added some vitamin supplements to my diet, and I suspect that has been helpful.

My bad left leg has slowly healed, and I have very carefully added som running in my training. At first, just a few minutes, often at the end of biking or after half an hour on the elliptical. With a few days in between sessions, I have progressively added time and speed. Most of it has been done on the treadmill, because there I can control and understand exactly what load I am taking. 

My last successful run was 7 X 4 minutes intervals with 1-3 minutes rest at an average of 8.40 per mile at inclination 0.5. Fine, that is competition speed!

A week ago, I did a "safe" powerwalk with my dog in the neighborhood including some large hills. The day after my left leg was screaming. It looks like the problem is uphill.

With just a week to go to US Nationals in cross triathlon, I took it easy. I have never done cross triathlon before, but the championship was going to be in Austin, only two hours away, so why not. I have my sons old MTB and I have been training cross cycling since December. The first time it was difficult, but I quickly improved. A group ride with more experienced MTB rider convinced me that I was skilled enough to sign up for the championship.

I went to the competition site three times before the race, and I knew the course was "difficult". I decided to just get off the bike and walk/run the bits that were too hard for me. I have to start somewhere and even if I can learn to bike some of the stony uphills, it is very taxing on the legs.

The day before competition, many tested the bike course for the first time, and there were crashes! Someone called it "a little spicier than expected". I learned that I was the only competitor in my class, W65-69 sprint triathlon. All I had to do was to complete. My biggest worry was to get away from the faster bikers on the single track.

Competition day, April 18, came with threats of rain. Swim went fine, the water was warm, but the cold front moved in during the swim. I noticed rain and the wind got up causing some waves, but I was not bothered.

Biking went without any incidents; I got out of the way when needed without trouble and I even overtook a few people. It was important that I had assessed the course before competing on it. I knew to not try to bike the most difficult parts. My only worry was that my injured leg was cold and my hamstring got stiff and was hurting.

I started the run leg carefully, trying to warm up the left leg that did not want to follow. I stumbled and fell in the first mile, but the longer I ran, the better the leg felt and I could slowly increase the speed. I had negative splits and although I was tired at the end, if my leg had responded better, I could have run faster. 

So, this is how I won a US National Championship in Cross Triathlon.