Mieko braces for tough races

Along list of races awaits CNMI pro triathlete Mieko Carey this year and she is aiming for strong showings in these events after having a few bad lucks last season.

“My race schedule in 2012 so far looks almost the same as 2011. I was disappointed with some of my results last year because I race against others not against myself. This year, I will push faster and harder as much as I can. I want to challenge myself and see how far can I go. I had bad races last year and I was not satisfied after the events. My goal this year is to finish every race without any regret,” Carey said.

“It will be a great year for Mieko,” the Saipan Swim Club assistant coach added.

This year, the 32-year-old triathlete will be competing in the Tour De Guahan, Marianas Coffee Trail, XTERRA Saipan Championship, Tagaman Triathlon, Kaike Triathlon, XTERRA Japan, and possibly Half Ironman Philippines.

Carey is the women’s defending champion in next month’s Tour De Guahan (Guam), completing last year’s 110km race in 3:30:27 and setting the new course record (women’s) after crushing the 3:33:12 mark 2010 women’s champion Chiyo Lombardi of Guam made during the inaugural race.

“I want to finish first and strong in Tour De Guahan to get ready for XTERRA and Tagaman,” said Carey, who raced in the 100km Hell of Marianas, but failed to finish due to bike problems.

She also had bike troubles during last year’s XTERRA Saipan and ran out of gas in the run leg to finish only fifth behind Shonny Vanlandingham, Carina Wasle, Renata Bucher, and Suzie Snyder.

Carey expects last year’s Top 3 finishers to return this year and she also welcomes more pros coming over for XTERRA Saipan.

“More pros, more fun, more challenge and great race for me, for Saipan, and for them. Like I said before, I have to race against myself, I will try to do my best. If I try to be in front of someone, I know I will have a bad race and will not improve,” the XTERRA Japan champion said.

To prepare for these races, Mieko works with husband, Kevin, in planning her training schedule on Saipan, as she will not be able to go to Australia this year to train. Carey also has friends helping her warm up for the 2012 races.

“I have a running partner in Mami (Mamiko Oshima-Berger) and that gives me the opportunity to challenge the best female runner on the island and push myself hard. She is also my running coach and she makes me run fast and strong,” said Carey, who will be racing against Oshima-Berger in this Saturday’s Coffee Trail.

“My first major event this year will be the Coffee Trail. It will only be my second time in the race, as I was in Australia in the last two years so I didn’t have a chance to join. The course is hilly and it is a great run training. I train usually twice or three times a day except on weekends. Weekends are my biggest and longest training days as I don’t work those days,” Carey said.