“I hoped I would do well. I am happy to win,” said the humble pro triathlete in an email to Variety.
Carey referred to this year’s edition of the XTERRA Japan Championship in Japan’s Gunma Prefecture.
Carey clocked in at three hours and 25 seconds to rule the women’s pro division for the third time.
“I was training hard for Japan. For me, XTERRA Saipan and Japan are very special as both are my home. I felt good when I left Saipan to go to Japan last week. I just did my best,” she stated.
Out of the three legs, Mieko favored the 25-kilometer mountain bike ride and 10-km trail run. She improved her run time to 53 minutes and 16 seconds this year, compared to 2010 (55:04) and 2009 (54:41).
“It is a super challenge. Many athletes who do XTERRA all over the world say Japan is a real adventure. I went there for five years but I never get used to it,” she added.
A new set of problems haunted Carey prior to the race, nearly preventing her from competing.
“I got there Thursday morning and went to ride… after the ride I saw some fluid kept coming out from my real shock,” she said in a separate email to her friends.
Despite the possibility of her shocks breaking completely, Carey still pushed on.
“I just carried a pump for (my) shock during the race and also I trust my bike. My bike did many races with me,” she said.
Carey — eventually finishing the mud-filled course — hopes for better records in 2012.
“I did great and I felt better than the last few years but I believe I will be better next year.”
Last year, she posted three hours, three minutes, and four seconds to win the race. She clocked in at 3:00:16 in 2009.
Conrad Stoltz of South Africa dominated the pro category at 2:18:25.
Up next in Carey’s list is the XTERRA World Championship, scheduled for October 23 in Maui, Hawaii.
She thanks her husband, friends, and family and her sponsors IT&E, Brabu, Bike Pro, Hornet Sport Shop, Salomon, Suunto, and Zoot.
