Having opted to miss the PTO Tour European Open in Ibiza to race the World Triathlon Long Distance Championships in May, Britain’s Kat Matthews was back on a PTO start line for the first time this season at the PTO Tour US Open in Milwaukee.
The PTO World #14, whose final race before her horrific accident last season was the PTO Tour US Open in Dallas, finished a strong seventh place in Milwaukee this past weekend, after a thrilling battle for the Top 5 that went right down to the wire.
In an Instagram post following the race, Matthews revealed that she felt as if she had fallen back in love with the sport after a long recovery process from her pre-Kona bike accident, with all eyes now on the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in three weeks time.
“I fell in love with the sport all over again”
Sharing that whilst she would have loved to finish higher up in the race, the IRONMAN Texas winner added that she was more motivated than ever to race again, with the race experience in Milwaukee an overwhelmingly positive one.
“Yesterday I fell in love with the sport (all over again!). There is seriously nothing more satisfying (in life) than giving 100% and owning it. I’m not sure I’ve really ever accepted that. 7th at the ’23 PTO US Open. Incredible experience but a “no profit race” sadly this trip!
“Sure, I wanted to be better, I thought I could swim better, ride better and run better but I couldn’t. Though the satisfaction of knowing that I pushed to my limit throughout the race and “lost it” in the last 34s (the race for 4th) was equally incredible (emotionally) and totally brutal (physically).”
Setting her sights on her next target, Matthews was candid in explaining that in Finland at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships, a podium was her main goal, having previously just missed out on the Top 3 with fourth in 2021.
“I’ve never felt more motivated to try again! Three weeks until IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships. Slightly shorter swim, longer run. Fourth in 2021, I’m aiming for the podium again for this race! I’m not strong enough yet (mainly on the bike) to compete for the win in this distance.”
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