PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plett triathlete Nicky Smith, female winner of this year's Durban Ironman 70.3, has set her sights on the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Finland in August.
Nicky (29) is hoping for a top 10 podium finish in her age group at Lahti, the gateway to the Finnish Lake District and the northernmost destination on the Ironman circuit, when she tackles the women's race on 26 August.
The highly dedicated Nicky is an amateur athlete who now lives in Johannesburg, but spends as much time as she can in her hometown, Plett, where her family lives.
She finds cycling the most challenging of the three triathlon disciplines of running, swimming and cycling. The 70.3 triathlon consists of a 1,9km swim, 90km bike ride, and 21,1km run and Nicky's personal best so far is four hours and 43 minutes.
No cheap feat
Her amateur status "costs" her about R120 000 a year, but she is able to finance herself in her pursuit of her passion for the extreme sport.
This includes her gear, equipment, race entries, travel expenses and nutrition, as well as medical support such as physiotherapists, chiropractors and doctors.
"It's an expensive sport, but it's my passion, and I make it work," she says, reflecting on juggling her demanding schedule as a marketing manager and her rigorous training schedule.
The latter includes four hours of cycling a week, many hours running and many hours of training in the pool.
"Being a triathlete has been an incredible journey that has changed my life in every possible way," she says.
"Triathlon has become much more than just a sport for me; it is my passion and has become an integral part of my identity. Every aspect of my life has been influenced by this pursuit - from the choices I make in my daily life to how I spend my time, weekends and money.
"Triathlon has truly shaped who I am as a person, and the life-changing moments for me have been the realisations of my deep love for this sport."
Nicky Smith crosses the finish line of the People's Triathlon in St Francis Bay.
Turning point
A defining moment occurred during the Knysna Extreme Triathlon 0.5 in 2019. "This was my first long-distance triathlon, which I had trained four months for.
"Unfortunately, the night before the race, my grandfather passed away in our hometown of Plettenberg Bay, surrounded by family. It was a devastating loss, but I knew I had to push through and complete the race. The day turned out to be incredibly tough, both mentally and physically, given the circumstances," she explained.
"Nevertheless, I managed to cross the finish line as the first woman. In that moment, I learned that I could overcome adversity and do hard things, even when faced with tremendous emotional challenges.
"This realisation opened up a whole new world for me. The next day, I signed up for my next race, Ironman 70.3 East London in 2020, and that's when the triathlon bug truly bit me."
More than just a sport
Over the years she has continued to train and race, even in challenging times like the Covid-19 pandemic. "I continued to witness improvements in all three disciplines. And then, another life-changing moment awaited me at the 2023 Durban Ironman 70.3.
"Winning the race was undeniably another life-changing moment for me. Leading the race from start to finish and achieving victory over a strong competitor I doubted I could beat, was a significant realisation of my capabilities.
"Not only did it reinforce my ability to conquer challenges, but it also ignited a newfound motivation and determination within me. This win solidified my belief that I am not only capable of doing hard things, but that I am also quite good at it," says Nicky.
The triumph further propelled her dedication to triathlon, and she is now inspired to see how far she can go in the sport. Her ambition is to represent South Africa in the triathlon arena.
Her love for the sport shines through her philosophy of the journey she's on.
"You get to see the sunrise every morning, I get to ride in the most beautiful places, I meet incredible and interesting people, and travel to beautiful places. Being a triathlete, for me, is not about the trophies and accolades; those are just an added bonus of being wonderfully fit and healthy. It is a journey of constantly testing how far I can push my limits, both physically and mentally."
Nicky effortlessly glides through the water when competing.
Looking ahead
On her prospects for Finland: "This will be my first international race, making it hard to predict specific competitors.
"However, comparing my race times with other strong international athletes in my age group suggests I stand a good chance [for the top 10].
"There are a few strong South African athletes like Liza Visser, Carla Johnson and Lexi Claasen who will make it a challenging competition," Nicky says.
"Preparing for demanding races like this requires a well-thought-out diet and race nutrition. Proper nutrition is vital to stay healthy, avoid injuries, and perform at one's best.
"Neglecting this aspect can lead to a tough race day experience. I have learned this lesson first-hand and now focus on maintaining a meticulous diet to support my intense training regimen.
"Nutrition is a crucial element in performing at one's best and aiding recovery."
What is most important to her successes is her support base consisting of her partner and her family, including her father, retired diplomat Rob Smith of Plettenberg Bay. But it's not all hard work for Nicky - there is a bit of fun too.
"I enjoy a good bottle of wine (when I can drink). . . once the race is over and in the off-season." Her other enjoyment is travelling in the bush or reading a good book before bed, in season.
"Coffee, too, is also very important. No beers on a Friday, but more coffee dates. . ."
Nicky Smith races along during one of her triathlons.
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