Bonnyville tri-athlete Pierre Sylvestre has returned from the International Triathlon Union (ITU) Multisport World Championship Festival in Pentiction, B.C. with mixed emotions.
From Aug. 18 to 27, athletes from over 50 countries gathered to compete in six world championship events.
After qualifying for the 2017 Cross Triathlon World Championship race last year, Sylvestre was excited for the event to finally get underway.
“This is something I have been building towards since I got back into triathlon in 2013. I wasn't 100 per cent sure what to expect, other than that it was going to be a pretty big event,” said Sylvestre.
Cross triathlon is made-up of the same three events as a regular triathlon. To cross the finish line, competitors must complete a run, bike, and swim at varying lengths. The difference is during a cross triathlon biking and running become off-road events.
Leading up-to the race, this made preparation a challenge for Sylvestre, due to the difference in terrain between Alberta and B.C.
“I had to prepare myself a little bit for that difference, which was difficult because of the area we live in. We don't have the long climbs like they do in B.C., the ride is just different,” he explained.
Originally, Sylvestre had made it his goal to finish in the top 10 in his age group, but a nagging chest cold forced him to alter his approach.
“It changed my game plan entirely. I went from thinking I was going to push my hardest in my swim, bike, and run, to thinking I'm going to have to dial this back and try to survive the race,” he said.
Not only did the ailment slow him down physically, it took a toll on his mental preparation as well.
Right up until race morning, being sick hindered Sylvestre's ability to get into the right mindset.
“Heading into a race, I get very nervous, but I like that because it means I'm prepared to put it all on the line,” Sylvestre said. “I usually try to have a big breakfast, but I can't because the nerves are kicking in. This time around I didn't have that, and I think it was due to the cold.”
Despite the virus, Sylvestre was up at 4 a.m. on the morning of the race, and onsite preparing for the big event at 6 a.m.
At 7:35 a.m. the start gun fired, and over 150 competitors plunged into the water kicking-off the first of three legs.
“As nearly 160 of us lined up at the swim start, I knew it was going to be rough, so I embraced it. I panicked a little at the beginning, but was able to slow down into a rhythm,” he explained.
Sylvestre completed the 1,500-metre swim in 34:28 before transitioning onto his bike. Battling the rocky B.C. terrain, he pushed on, stopping only to help a fellow Canadian athlete repair a flat tire.
Finishing the 32-kilometre course in 1:59:34, Sylvestre moved to his strong suit, running. The eight-kilometre run was all that stood between him and the finish line.
Despite believing he could have had more in the tank, Sylvestre finished in the top-10 in his age group for the run, completing the run portion of the triathlon in 38:16.
“I would have had more to give if it wasn't for that cold, but I'm proud to say I finished in the top-10,” he said.
After battling through each of the events, Sylvestre crossed the finish line in 138th, with a total time of 3:16:11, placing 21st overall in his age group.
Though he had hoped for a different result, Sylvestre viewed competing and completing the world championship race as a learning experience.
“Overall, I have mixed feelings in regards to my results. I was expecting to do a little better, but I think the biggest thing I gained from my experience was how to prepare mentally,” he said.
In the future, Sylvestre plans to qualify for the world championships again, but says that won't happen next season. He'll use the fall to take a break from intensive training, before deciding which local competitions to enter in 2018.
Regardless of the outcome, he is proud to have competed in the event alongside fellow Canadians.
“I think for myself, I'm proud to say I was able to represent Canada at the Multisport World Championships. It was a definite goal of mine, and I think it's the closest I could have felt to being an Olympian.”
