A year is a long time, people tend to forget about things, and things also can get misplaced or lost. The Tuks triathlete, Dylan Nortje, admits he needs to search for his racing shoes.

It is a given that he will find it before the South African Triathlon Championships as he needs to race. Get the adrenaline pumping as it said.

The last time he did so was mid-February 2020. It was one of Nortje's best performances. He finished seventh at the African Sprint Cup-event at Masselspoort a mere 49 seconds behind Switzerland's Max Studer. He was the second South African athlete to finish.

Four weeks later the Covid Pandemic lockdown happened. According to Nortje, 2020 was the most challenging year of his life.

"I was in the shape of my life, having just finished a training camp with Richard Murray. I had an opportunity to compete at the World Triathlon Series race in Leeds. A first. Suddenly all international sport came to an abrupt halt. I was all on my own. It led to me quitting twice in 2020.

"Luckily, my coach, Lindsey Parry (Tuks high-performance coach), knows me. Each time he told me not to be over-hasty advising me to take a few days off. Generally, after the third day, I would phone him to ask what my training program for the day entails. It was like the 'rise and fall' of Dylan Nortje.

"I got to thank my mom and sister. If it was not for the encouragement and support my career as a triathlete would have ended. Every so often, when I went for a run, my sister would be next to me on her bicycle. To have someone else on the road made a difference.

"The one positive that came from 2020 is that I was forced to learn what it takes to become mentally tough. I believe that if you, as an athlete, could survive last year, you can deal with anything."

The Tuks athlete is not yet sure when precisely the national championships will be held, but it will be in April in Masselspoort. Nortje is not planning to only make up the numbers. His aim is to win a medal, even win. He, however, admits he will have his work cut out.

"I will be racing against the likes of Henri Schoeman and Richard Murray. They are two of the world's best. You don't just finish third and fourth respectively at an Olympic Games. I will be there as the little cocky underdog. Ideally, I would like to come off the bike with Henri and Richard to start the run so I can challenge them."

Nortje's philosophy, when it comes to the run is quite simple - run until you drop and then force yourself to continue going hard.

Before the big showdown, Nortje will be training with Murray again. He can't wait.

"To train with him is an opportunity of a lifetime. I don't think people in South Africa realise how great an athlete Richard is. To train with him gave me a new perspective of what being a professional athlete is about. He is serious in serious situations, but he is also out there to have fun when training."