MULTISPORT
Ultra-distance triathlete Jade Nicole is not just making a name for herself in the sport , she is ready to take on the world ’ s best in the hopes of pursuing a pro career in triathlon . – BY SEAN FALCONER
The right mindset . That ’ s what Jade Nicole ( 28 ) says was missing when she went to Europe aged 18 to become a pro cyclist . “ Cycling started out as a hobby during school in Cape Town , but soon I was racing the top girls and signed by the Konica-Minolta team , riding the big races like the Cycle Tour and 947 . Then I went to Europe , and honestly , I really missed my family and friends , and the comforts of home . I was living in a team house with 10 other riders and it was a lot more difficult to get into the pro team , and after three years I realised I wouldn ’ t make it .”
Fast-forward a few years and Jade is once again making a name for herself on the sporting front . Now living in Johannesburg , she won the recent MiWayLife Sun City Ultra triathlon ( 1.9km / 90km / 21km ), having finished first in her age group and eighth overall at the Standard Bank Ironman SA 70.3 in East London earlier this year , as well as first in her age group and second overall at the MiWayLife Durban Ultra . Those great results followed overall wins in 2017 at the Durban 70.3 and Indian Ocean Triathlon in Mauritius , and a first in age group and seventh overall in the 2017 Ironman SA 70.3 . And she says it is largely thanks to her coach , Lucie Zelenkova .
“ Sun City was not my best race , but I pulled a rabbit out of the hat after being two minutes down on
Magda Nieuwoudt at T2 . Somehow I passed her on the second lap of the run and ended up beating her by nearly seven minutes . I had been sick the week before the race and still wasn ’ t feeling great , but I had one of my best runs that day – and I must give credit to Lucie for helping me develop the mindset that now allows me to race so successfully . I wish I had this mindset eight years ago in Europe – I could have achieved so much more , but I didn ’ t believe in myself
as much .”
A Second Chance
Jade had actually done a few triathlons while in school , but says she struggled with the swimming . With her cycling days behind her , and having initially trained as a chef upon her return to SA and worked in that field for four years before training to become a personal trainer , she decided to give triathlon a go again in 2015 when a client invited her to a tri event . Her initial results were competitive but not top level , so in 2016 she decided to take things more seriously and signed up with Lucie ’ s Trifactri squad . “ I ’ ve always been inspired by her , having watched her race and win in East London when I was young ,” says Jade .
“ I now have a coach who has raced all around the world , who ’ s been there and done it , and I love that she is very hands-on and supportive . We have regular meetings to ensure I am focused , while avoiding overtraining , and I trust the process , and that Lucie will get me there . She is always open and honest with me , and she has said a lot of things that make me confident about the future , including possibly turning pro . Still , we ’ re both being realistic , and I first need to see how I do against the world ’ s best before I can even start
thinking about trying to make a living from triathlon .”
Bring on the Best
Of course , the chance to test herself against the world ’ s best triathletes is just around the corner . Having won her age group in East London earlier this year , Jade qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Champs , which will take place in Port Elizabeth on 1 September . “ My goal is to win my age group at World Champs , and then , if things go well , to turn professional and represent my country at an international level . The World ’ s best are coming to SA and it will be my first international race , so a good indication to see where I stand on the world stage . I need to be able to make money if I turn pro , so I ’ ll be comparing times when they are here .”
Happily for Jade , her motivation to succeed is strong enough to overcome any doubts , especially when she thinks about her decision to cut back on her work hours in the Virgin Active Classic Collection gymnasium at Alice Lane in Sandton , in order to train for World Champs . “ I am currently only working halfday , and have sacrificed my morning working hours – and pay – to fit in training from 4:30am to 12 , before I see clients in the afternoon and evening . But I am motivated and looking forward to the challenge .”
Images : Jethro Snyders & courtesy Asics & Jade Nicole
32 ISSUE 109 AUGUST 2018 / www . modernathlete . co . za