When I think back about the races I have highly enjoyed and the reasons why, it has often been a combination of great personal race results, a great course, great location and great atmosphere. I love events where the whole community gets behind the race, where athletes and supporters from all-over dribble into town the […]
Taking the Next Step: Going Pro
“What motivates you?” I was asked this question a few years back and I didn’t really know how to answer it. It wasn’t as much asked in an athletic way but more in a generalised life approaching way. I have never been one to reflect much on things, with a childhood experience to be forgotten […]
The 2013 Capital Punishment : A reward at the end
When I decided to step it up from 50km’s to a 100 and from Open women to the Elite category this season I knew this wasn’t going to be easy and would require a lot of hard work. I didn’t realise how hard this step up actually was until I started racing. Going from racing […]
XTERRA Philippines: Thriller in Manilla (or Cebu)
After just missing out on a podium spot at XTERRA Worlds last year, I was in the hunt again for a qualification slot to have another attempt at it. XTERRA Philippines was chosen as the target race for the reason that it was early in the season enough to have a backup plan in case […]
Seasons of pain – in more ways than one
As a veterinarian working on equine athletes I often advise trainers on making decisions in regards to horse health including how long a horse should have to recover from illness or injury. My job as a vet is to try and make them give the horse as much time as needed to get back into […]
Nienke Oostra: 2013 and New Beginnings
The end of one year and the beginning of another always result in reflections on life. On goals achieved and not achieved, on the celebration of new friendships made and old ones strengthened. Plus there is the joy in mapping out a new year, a fresh start and a new beginning. For me personally, 2012 […]
Achieving Goals at the Highland Fling
In 2011 I googled MTB races in NSW and it came up with the Highland Fling. I convinced Ray to come and race with me not knowing how popular this event was. We both raced the half marathon and that was our first experience with MTB races in Australia, we absolutely loved it, there is […]
Xterra World Championships Maui 2012
This blog has been provided by Nienke Oostra, who qualified for the Xterra World Championships, and made sure she prepared well to have the race of her life. What I love the most about the Xterra World Championships, is that it is an elite event, qualifying is by placing top 3 in your age group […]