Nonetheless, Mieko Carey says no amount of training in the world can prepare her for any particular race. With one month left to go, the Saipan-based professional triathlete will return to Maui, Hawaii for her sixth XTERRA World Championship on October 23.
“Every race is the same. It is good to race against top athletes but at Maui, more people come from all over the world and I am happy to race against top athletes. They are training for the world championship too,” she said.
“I think there’s never enough time to train for all races. Even if I have one year to prepare for Maui, I’ll still say ‘not enough time’ because I want to be faster than I am now.”
Carey already started her training since returning from XTERRA Japan last month and is coached by fellow triathlete Cody Waite.
This year’s World Championship course is located at Kapalua, located on Maui’s northeast coast.
“This course will give our competitors a new and exciting taste of Hawaii,” said XTERRA managing director Dave Nicholas on XTERRA’s official website.
The race starts with a 1.5-kilometer swim at D.T. Flemings Beach and continues with a bike ride along the lower slopes of the West Maui Mountains. A series of off-road obstacles await runners in the final leg.
“I will be ready when I leave here to go to MAUI. I know I can do it and I know I will do my best,” said Carey.
Among her many goals this year is to rank in the top 10 of the pro division. This will be Carey’s third time to compete as a professional.
Last year, she placed 13th in the women’s pro division at three hours, 21 minutes, and 11 seconds. American triathlete Shonny Vanlandingham clinched the women’s pro title at 2:58:20.
Carey to hold road, mountain bike race
Prior to Maui, Mieko Carey will host a mountain and road bike race this Sunday, September 18.
The mountain bike race consists of long and short courses that start at Banzai Cliff. Road bikers will cruise through Suicide Cliff and Grotto before returning to Banzai Cliff.
Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. and races start at 7:30 a.m. Entry fee is $10.
A special course has also been designed for children below seven years old and above eight years old.
Winners will receive prizes from IT&E, Brabu Pharmacy, and Gold’s Gym.
