Australian fan favourite Cameron Wurf revealed that he almost quit sports at the end of last year, before mapping out a plan to get the best out of himself.
The pro cycling star realised he had been spreading himself too thin in previous seasons, which had led to some disappointment.
Eager to avoid making the same mistakes in 2024, the 40-year-old set about changing his approach to triathlon, and has already started reaping the rewards.
Time for a change
After some reflection at the end of last year, Wurf, along with the help of his team, said that he realised it was time to make a change in his triathlon career.
Struggling to balance his role with the Team Ineos Grenadiers alongside his long-distance ambitions, the Tasmania native said that he came close to giving up the sport entirely.
Writing in his blog (read the full version here): “My desire to do everything seemingly led me to spread myself a little thin and never really feel like I was doing anything as well as I’d like to be doing it.
“At the conclusion of last year I basically had two options, 1,.Leave sport behind for good, or, 2. Do things better. Thanks to the belief that those around me have in my athletic ability, I decided on the latter.”
When looking for ways to change his approach, Wurf highlighted the buildup to Kona as an area to improve, and said as a result he will put his full focus into performing in Hawaii in October.
“Most importantly for me from an Ironman perspective was the final block towards Kona will be uninterrupted and be able to be carefully planned out.
“The six months of the year prior to that is the time to build all the blocks to be able to piece them together for the race that matters most to me in Hawaii.”
Focusing on the bigger picture
Whilst focusing on Kona was a long-term strategy, adapting his short-term training plan to focus on consistently executing a core group of training sessions each week was equally important to the Aussie.
“Making this small adjustments completely changed my mindset. Basically I went from constantly panic training with my swimming and particularly running, between bike races.
“To all of a sudden feeling like I was doing what was required and anything on top of these core sessions and bike races was an added bonus.”
As a result, when it really mattered, Wurf found himself physically and mentally refreshed, and despite a gruelling cycling campaign which involved racing just four days prior, he ticked off his first objective of the season, to qualify for Kona at IRONMAN South Africa.
Finishing third, Wurf ensured that he will be on the start line for his seventh straight IRONMAN World Championship this October, and is feeling better than ever for the upcoming months.
“Unlike previous years, I physically feel much fresher than i have in the past. This strategy to hold back a lot in the first half of the year has definitely had the effect i was hoping it would have.”
What’s next for Wurf?
Now, with Kona qualification safely squared away, the Australian is targeting a big block of racing in June and July, which kicked off last weekend with an 18th-place finish at IRONMAN 70.3 Les Sables.
“I plan to target the Ironman Pro Series with Les Sables 70.3, Ironman Vitoria Gasteiz and Ironman Lake Placid looking like my most likely races in June/July.
“In August I’ll some more bike races from the team hitch will kick start the final build up to Kona. Europe really comes alive in the summer and that energy gives me great motivation to train and race my ass off. At the ripe old age of 40 I feel like I’ve finally found a method to my madness!”
