18 races, 1 World Title (ITU Cross Tri), my 10th XTERRA USA Series title, 10 victories, 16 podiums and many many special memories.
My sporting highlight was winning my 2nd ITU Cross Triathlon World Title in Pelham Alabama, USA.
a Personal highlight was sharing the entire year and all the remarkable experiences with my gorgeous wife.
2012 also marked the comeback of the Caveman the roadie. More bike course records to fall this year…
Finally we found the cause my injuries, after more than 3 years of struggling with calf and Achilles injuries due to the cut foot. I used to run a painful 0 to 30km a week, and now I can finally start proper running again.
Hats off to my rocket scientist coach- Ian Rodger, who custom makes my training program every day- depending on the previous days’ training files. He’s had to work around a myriad of Caveman-esque problems! Ian, smooth sailing (& skating) to come…
After a lifetime of professional Netball- Liezels‘ first triathlon:
My dad. I remember him fondly.
2012 results at a glance:
1st Total Sports Challenge 1st Mixed Team Terra Firma
1st XTERRA Buffelspoort, SA.
1st West Coast Warm Water Weekend.
1st XTERRA Grabouw, SA.
6th SA National road Time Trail champs Nelspruit.
1st Vine a Vine MTB race.
1st XTERRA West Champs, Las Vegas
10th Whiskey off road MTB Prescott AZ
1st ITU Cross Triathlon World Champs, Alabama, USA
1st XTERRA East Champs, Richmond, VA
5th 5150 New Orleans
4th 5150 Boulder Peak
1st XTERRA Mountain Champs, Colorado
2nd Rev3 Maine
3rd XTERRA USA Champs, Ogden Utah.
Winner of XTERRA USA Series- my 10th Series title.
3rd XTERRA World Champs. Maui Hawaii.
1st TriLanai- Lanai- Hawaii.
Coronation Double Century mixed team. 7h22 during which I realized wheelies on a road bike is easier then a 29er MTB.
At US based XTERRAs I taught “the Art of XTERRA” at the Paul Mitchel XTERRA University– inspiring rookies with mantras “Speed is your friend”, “Hesitation devastation” and “Low air, big gear, no fear…”
Click here for previous years results
Many thanks to my amazing sponsors:
Specialized Bicycle Components
Blueseventy wetsuits & goggles
Kelfords Ford, Thule bike racks & luggage.
After 5 memorable years with Avia running shoes – and many highs like 4 World titles and the AVIA STOLTZ shoe– the bus came to a screeching halt as Avia announced 2 weeks ago that they will quit the sport performance market.
The timing is pretty bad, as its a bit late in the financial year to find a new shoe sponsor. Obviously, I’m now in the market for a shoe and clothing sponsor. Offers welcome…
In the meantime, my training partner and I are hitting the road:
I am in fact thankful to the holder of this website who has shared this wonderful piece of writing at at this place.
magnificent points altogether, you just received a brand new reader.
What may you recommend in regards to your put up that you made a few days ago?
Any sure?
great story and great results, I easily understand that you are a role model for a lot of us;
Hi Conrad,
Congrats on the amazing 2012 you had! I guess it was bittersweet with your dad and Burry passing. I followed it, amazed at your enthusiasm, commitment and enjoyment. You are a true role model for young and old.
Do you have any tips with training smart for almost 40year olds like me, who are not professional, but love the sport and grind?
All the very best for 2013! Go get em!
Michael
Howzit Michael. Thanks for the compliments!
Caveman words of wisdom at 40:
– 40 is the new 30
– Keep “Ice cream and Beer season” under control. In my early 30s I used to have a 2-3 month free-for-all Ice Cream and Beer season. After a long, tough season I felt I deserved the break- and needed time to regain motivation to do it all over again. After 4 weeks of zero training, punctuated by a final Christmas day overindulgence, I’d get back on the wagon cold turkey- usually with a 30min jog- thighs chafing (the extra 8 kilos has to go SOMEWHERE), wobbling, and generally hating myself. It would be 3 weeks of total misery before any kind of previous sporting background resurfaced. The race to get back into some kind of racing shape would be a race in itself.
5 years ago my coach (Ian Rodger) put a swift end to the IC&B season. “Especially as you get older, (I’m 40 now) it becomes harder to regain fitness.” Now we keep my form “at a simmer” year round – I can race competitively all year, never training like crazy, never on the couch, and for selected racing periods, we’d “bring it to a boil” and crush some dreams.
Stay off the couch!
Conrad
Hi Conrad and Liesel,
Enjoyed reading this (and others) Blog, especially as I was able to share a few days of your 2012 journey with both of you. Conrad, you have achieved so much in sport over the past two decades or so, but it’s what you are doing over and above sport that is quite significant. The way you live your life, the examples you set for others, including myself is inspiring and I’d like to encourage you and Liesel to continue being an amazing couple. Miss you both, from Alec and the Riddle family.
Thanks for the kind words Alec!