Coral Coast 5150 and Cairns 70.3 2013

I write this blog with mixed emotions. I worked extremely hard to get back into shape after surgury for the cairns campaign and was really pleased with 3rd at the Coral Coast 5150. However, I was extremely disappointed with what happend in the second race. It was always a tall order as to whether i would make the 70.3 but to have the outcome taken out of my hands was shattering.

I went into race 1 with "control" as the goal. There was an amazing standard on the start line with a mixutre of atheletes from all forms of triathlon. I had a good swim for me exiting in 4th. I was a little disappointed on the bike and felt I was loosing power. After the race I learned I had a small hair line crack in my seat mount. Thanks to Avanti Plus cairns for fitting a bracket from one of their own bikes and then accepting a new one shipped up by Matty Hopper and Sam Valkers at Avanti Plus the Valley. I must say it is fantastic to have the support of the Avanti team. This is the second time I have requried assistance while away and they have certainly pulled all the levers to get my bike back for game day. ... back to the race... I gained two positions on the bike and the lost one going into transition to Ange Castle (who had a great race). I was mostly concerned with protecting my leg on the sand. I was also very aware of the talent baring down on me and set out at a consistent pace knowing the at the heat would be brutal and would punish an agressive first half to the run. I had a solid back end and held on to third. I achieved what I set out to and got 400 points for Des Moins.

Ladies start. Im in the middle in the Orca Apex wetsuit with the blue on the sleaves

About to head out on the Scott Plasma Premium 3. 

I am pretty pleased to be on the podium

Partners in crime. Sam Betten finished 5th. Great result given his recent racing block. 

I spent the next three days working from tropical north Queensland. Thanks to the Lamason's for having me.

The Red Dog team arrived on Thrusday and the vibe started to build in town. I had a few media commitments such as a radio interview with Sea FM and the official press conference for the event.

With Matty White and the Sea FM crew on the Tuesday. 

Checking out the wild life at the Cairns Casino Zoo after the press conference on the Thursday

Links to the media: http://www.hansonmediagroup.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1343&Itemid=36

Race day came and I did have some doubt about the leg. I had not ran 21K yet and was hoping to make the best of the swim and bike. When the race started I concentrated on maintaining a steady swim. I was dropped initially but had a strong second section to catch back to third. I exitied the swim only 2.30 down in 4th. Onto the bike and I moved into second by the 20k mark. I was out on my own. I was very excited about what I had acocmplished in just 8 weeks from surgury. I was confident I could run about a 1.30 - 1.35 half and was trying to push as hard as I could on the bike to help gap the field.

At the turn around I was alone but soon realised that AG males were moving through the field. At about 75k these men caught me. They passed me and then I passed them back. We then approached rolling hills and I felt that it was not worth the effort playing leap frog. I held back and was around 10m back when I was given a penalty, without warning or appreciation of the hills and headwind. I was disappointed and could not believe what had just happened. I understand that 12m is the rule and was not intentionally wihtin this zone nor was I there for long. However, distance is very hard to judge in these conditions and I feel a warning or a curtasey would have been sufficent. I will digress here to make a point. I now understand the reason for the fight to have the AG field start at least 10 minutes behind the pro females. It is critical this is addressed to make a clean and fair race without interference. I lost my head. This was the first time I have ever been penalised and was so upset. I then spend 4m in the box. I did not finish the race. For me leaving transition now in 5th and having to fight for a place with my leg would have only been distructive.

I am now very hungry to return to peak form and can not wait until the world championships in September to set things straight.

Byron Tri 2013

Byron this year was a dead rubber. I was the only entrant in the open field, which did not make for much of a race. Given it was only six weeks post surgery I was happy not to have to work too hard on the run but rather apply myself to a steady race. It was my longest run since the op and I wanted to ensure I stayed steady throughout.

The open field were not privileged with a wet suit which made the swim a little tough given the rough conditions. I had to take the sand run pretty easy into transition because it really does stretch the achilles area and the calf. I had a plan of belting the bike as I have been able to maintain a good level of fitness on the bike despite the injury. I came off the bike in a great position and had no challengers for the run so it was a matter of doing the minimum necessary for the win. It wasn't pretty, with mud on the run making an already challenging experience just that bit tougher. A 40m run was the result. It is amazing what can happen in around just 12 weeks from New Zealand. At least now it is fixed an I can concentrate on my fitness.

As you can see below the fitness impact of an injury was an eye opener for me. Not exactly with it at the finish. Thanks Veloshotz.com for the photo.