Race: Queensland All Schools Triathlon – Lake Kawana
Date: Sunday 27th of October 2019
Distance: 750/20/5
Category: Senior Women
Result: 2nd Place
 
This year was my last chance in competing at Queensland All Schools Triathlon. As I am graduating from school this year and states is next year, this race took me by surprise, as I thought last year was my final stand. I am always up for an opportunity to better myself, so I was more than willing to give Queensland All Schools another crack.
 
Swim:  
On the shoreline and accessing the start, I identified a sweeping current taking the buoys with it. From where I was originally positioned on the start line I then adapted to the conditions and shifted to find a better line to the buoy. With 1 minute till the horn, I adjusted my lucky goggles – Vorgee Stealth Mark II and zone into my plan of attack. Once the horn blew, I ran as far as I could making a bit of ground on the other swimmer. The swim was very chaotic as we made our way to the first buoy. I was lucky that I didn’t swallow any water, so I was still left with the taste of CLIF Bars Nut Butter Filled Peanut Butter energy bar. Then, I managed to find my sister Erin and get a good draft off her aha!! For the rest of the swim, Erin and I worked together in a group of 4.
 
Bike:
I had a really successful transition and was out on the bike with no time to waste. I knew the course pretty well as I have raced on it in the past years. Unfortunately, fortunate, I crashed last year, which result in me chasing more girls, although, with the adrenaline, I smashed out a 1min and 30sec PB in my 5km time in the run J This year again, I knew this was a very technical course and that I had to execute it effectively. My legs didn’t get into a rhythm as early as I would have liked too as my legs felt really heavy. However, I took 2 CLIF Bloks which helped me push through get me ready for my run home.
 
Run:
I had a blitzing second transition, which gave me the ultimate fire of chasing down the few girls in front of me. At this stage I was in 5th place and with 5km over 2 laps on the run, I could see who was in front and start to pick them off. I was stoked to place 2nd in the end and stand on the podium in my Cannibal / SCTA gear!
 
Overall, I was happy with the way I executed the race putting my skills into practice- developed through the Sunshine Coach Triathlon Academy Junior skills development sessions with head coach Toby and assistant coach Mark.
 
Thank you to the following sponsors for your support; Unique Health foods, Vorgee,
Cannibal Australia, Mizuno Running Australia, Intune Sports Massage, Tara Leanne
Nutrition, Rydges Hotels and Resorts, The Event Crew, Ironman Oceania, Allez Sport
Mooloolaba, Davey and Associates Optometrist, Queensland Triathlon Series, Felt Bicycles Australia, Kawana Aquatic Centre, Rackley Swimming, Titan Performance Group / Zone 3 Australia and of course Grant Symes from protector Aluminium for all your support.

Queensland Triathlon series Race # 2 
Raby Bay Triathlon - Super Sprint
Distance - 400/15/4
Result - 1st 16-19 Years Female / Fastest Female and 17th Overall

I warmed up well in advance to my race commencing at 8.33 am. By the start of my race, I had completed a run and swim warm-up through the racecourse.​

Swim 
The water was a temperature of 18oC, although it was mixed with warm and freezing patches. With the length of the swim being 400m (almost half the distance I am used to racing), I chose not to wear a wetsuit.  I know the start of any swim in a triathlon is hectic, but today was absolute carnage. As a result of this, for 100m leading to the first buoy, I restricted the number of times I took a breath. I took Toby’s tips to my advantage and kept on top of the water and pushed through getting into a rhythm. After I reached the end of the swim, I scoped who of my competitors were around me. I knew it was time to chase.
 
Bike  
I was super happy with my T1 gaining distance on the few that came out of the water in front. This gave me a confidence boost as I progressed onto the bike leg. Heading towards the mount line I could see that it was extremely congested, hence why I decided to run through everyone who was mounting on the mount line and jumped on my bike further along. I did this to eliminate getting in any sticky situations, especially as this race was notorious for crashes.
 
At this stage, I was with the few that I had caught from the swim. We rode near each other for most of the way with each other insight. Leading into this race, I remembered how technical the bike leg was. Factors such as 3 roundabouts for each of the 3 laps within the race, potholes, cats’ eyes, manholes, white lines on roads and other people racing of all ages and abilities on the course varied the placing of us girls racing quite a bit. On the very first lap, one of my competitors slid out when cornering on a roundabout.
 
I made sure that for the rest of the race that I was to be extra cautious, considering I crashed on this same course the previous year. On the last lap with 5km to go, 2 of the girls broke away. Unfortunately, I wasn’t in a position to go with them because of the congestion on roundabout and corners, although I managed to spurt on the home straight which led me closer to the 2 girls. I maintained a high leg turn over to get the blood flowing in the legs leading to the 4km run ahead of me.
 
T2 / Run 
I had a smooth dismount and I ran as fast as I could with my bike into transition. Again, transition was very technical, but I successfully made it out with no time to spare and onto the run leg with my new Mizuno Duel Race Flats. At this point, I was eager as to catch up to those 2 girls in front. I can’t quite remember overtaking 2nd place but up ahead I could see that I was getting closer and closer to the leader. At the first run turn, I overtook her and I just kept ticking over my legs over and the rhythm till I crossed the finish line.
 
I was so happy knowing on the way back from the 2nd run turn that I was in the lead. With everyone cheering, I couldn’t help but smile as a crossed the line. Congrats to all who raced this weekend! J
 
Many thanks to The Event Crew and Queensland Triathlon Series for hosting such an amazing event. Also, a big thank you to the following sponsors as a part of the SCTA Protector Aluminium Junior Scholarship for their support; Unique Health foods, Vorgee, Cannibal Australia, Mizuno Running Australia, Intune Sports Massage, Tara Leanne Nutrition, Rydges Hotels and Resorts, The Event Crew, , Ironman Oceania, Allez Sport Mooloolaba, Davey and Associates Optometrist, Queensland Triathlon Series, Felt Bicycles Australia, Kawana Aquatic Centre, Rackley Swimming, Titan Performance Group / Zone 3 Australia and of course Grant Symes from protector Aluminium for all your support.

​Next Race Queensland All schools Triathlon Champs on home turf at Lake Kawana.

Queensland Triathlon Series - Robina Triathlon 
Date - 29th September 2019
Distance - 750/24/5
Result - 2nd Place 16-19 Years Female / 3rd Female Overall

The Robina Tri would be the first Queensland Triathlon Series (QTS) race of the season. I am super fortunate to have support from the Event Crew to successfully participate in this race as well as future QTS events as part of Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy Protector Aluminium Junior Scholarship.

The swim start was as per usual; fast and rough. I was glad that there was quite a long distance to the first buoy from the start line enabling me to find myself in a rhythm. I worked on my swim form throughout the entirety of the swim leg as practised with Toby and found that I felt more efficient in the water.

Transition 1 was smooth and I was keen as ever to get on the bike for 3 laps and 24km ride in total.  With the course involving 3 U-turns each lap, it was crucial to execute them efficiently. Throughout my race, I became more confident when executing my U-turns, although I know now that this is an aspect I will have to practice on throughout the season. In my element out on the bike course, I caught a few girls and rode with them hovering around. I decided to surge and make a break from them so that I could focus on myself and my own race.

After a solid bike ride, I let the legs tick over to get the blood flowing as I prepare for the upcoming 5km run. I choose a perfect spot in transition to rack my bike in which allowed me to find my bike quite easily. As I put my shoes on, I found that I had bindies in my feet, so I pulled them out as quickly as I could and got back into race mode onto the run. At this stage, I came off the bike in 4th place and was determined than ever to chase and pick off those in front.

​After my first lap on the run I crept up to 3rd place and I could see 2nd place in my line of sight. I just kept ‘ticking away’ (famous quote from Toby - really effective by the way:) and found my self in 2nd place. With 2km to go, I was mentally challenged by a pain in my shoulder and with 1km to go, I was challenged by Jazi (3rd place), although I just kept going for it till the very end. I was so stoked to secure silver in my first QTS race of the season.

Thank you so much to the SCTA team and Toby for your ongoing cheers and support, as well as the Event Crew for holding yet again a fantastic first QTS race of the season in beautiful Robina.

Thank you to the following sponsors for your support; Unique Health foods, Vorgee, Cannibal Australia, Mizuno Running Australia, Intune Sports Massage, Tara Leanne Nutrition, Rydges Hotels and Resorts, The Event Crew, , Ironman Oceania, Allez Sport Mooloolaba, Davey and Associates Optometrist, Queensland Triathlon Series, Felt Bicycles Australia, Kawana Aquatic Centre, Rackley Swimming, Titan Performance Group / Zone 3 Australia and of course Grant Symes from protector Aluminium for all your support.

National Cross-Country Championships 2019- Race Report
Result - Individual 4km - 47th Place U/18 Years Girls
Result - Individual 2km TT - 7th Place U/18 Years Girls 
 
I was fortunate enough to have this year's National Cross-Country Championships held in Sydney, my old home state. With the cross-country race held on my home ground, I was familiar with all the technical corners in which came to my advantage. Although I was focused on the nationals race itself, my training in the lead up was more specialised on the build of triathlon for the next season.
 
I had visualised the start of the race for a while now. From a wide start line with girls from every state of Australia, including New Zealand, I knew that a fast start would mean a safe position within the race with 93 Girls racing. I managed to have a really strong start resulting in me leading for 2km of the 4km race. After hitting the halfway mark, I began to fatigue quite quickly resulting in girls overtaking me. In the end, my race didn’t go to plan, although, I tried my hardest to push through till the very end.
 
The national’s relays and time trials commenced 2 days after the individual event. I was placed into the time trial event which was a distance of 2km. Knowing the athletes I was competing against and the short distance of the race, it was understandable as to why this race would be a close sprint. The course on the day had been altered, and extra caution had to be made due to rainfall the previous night. I was happy with the way I executed the corners of the course and was pleased to finish 7th in Australia.  It was also pretty special to watch and support my fellow SCTA team: Peyton Craig and Jazi Coventry as well as my sister Mia.
 
I was amazed and so thankful for the support from my family and friends, Toby and the SCTA crew before, during and after the race. Also, thank you to Unique Health foods for the Clifbars and Blocks, Vorgee, Cannibal Australia, Mizuno Running Australia, Intune Sports Massage, Tara Leanne Nutrition, Rydges Hotels and Resorts, The Event Crew, , Ironman Oceania, Allez Sport Mooloolaba, Davey and Associates Optometrist, Queensland Triathlon Series, Felt Bicycles Australia, Kawana Aquatic Centre, Rackley Swimming, Titan Performance Group / Zone 3 Australia and of course Grant Symes from protector Aluminium for all your support.
​

Race - Rainbow Beach Double Triathlon
Date - Saturday 17th + Sunday 18th August 2019
Distance - 750/20/5 on both days
Result - 2nd Female Overall / 1st 17-19 Years Female
Saturday - 1st 17-19 Years / 2nd Female Overall
Sunday - 1st 17-19 Years / 2nd Female Overall

What a start to the tri season! Rainbow Beach is one of my favourites as it is a really good opportunity to dust off the cob webs and get back into the feel of racing. With plenty of training, it sure was a good feeling to have my toes out on the start line again.

It all starts with examining the water conditions (coach Toby’s expertise) and assessing how you are going to execute the race, especially being a wetsuit swim. I was really happy with my swim starts for both of the sprint distance triathlons over the weekend. I was able to get into a favourable position which gave me confidence over the 750m swim ahead of me. Unfortunately, I swallowed a heap of water in my first race as the water conditions were quite choppy, but that’s all a part of my ‘fight for survival’ swim mindset which gave me more adrenaline to get out of the water.

I got out of the water keen to run up to my bike, although the process of getting from the swim finish to transition was different to usual. It involved taking off a wetsuit while running through soft sand, then running up with my wetsuit over a steep hill into transition. The execution of taking the wetsuit off was tough and not as smooth as what I wished for it to be, although I kept this in mind to improve on in the race the following day.

I loooove racing on the bike, so as soon as I mounted I was ready to go. I popped a CLIF Blok (strawberry’s the best flavour) and took the opportunity of the flat course to focus and really work on my cadence as well as my leg turn over. These are practical skills I have been working on with the Toby and the SCTA team as we head into the 2019 triathlon season. After a bumpy 20km ride my legs were pretty buggered. It took very high leg cadence and lots of cheering from the supporting SCTA team to get my legs going, and after 1km of running I kicked into an unstoppable rhythm leaving me to feel on top of the world- even if that did mean I had to climb a hilly 5km run course

Overall, I took the experience from the first sprint distance tri into the second day of racing to work on the 1 percenters in order to develop myself as an athlete. After working closely with Toby on my swim technique in particular over winter, I was stoked to execute the weekend of racing placing 2nd overall to the incredible Lucy Bowden from SCTA.

Thank you to Unique Health foods for my addictive intake on Clifbars and Blocks, Vorgee for the swim cap and goggle that I can rely on, Cannibal Australia for my speedy tri suit and to the Mizuno Running Australia, Intune Sports Massage, Tara Leanne Nutrition, Rydges Hotels and Resorts, The Event Crew, , Ironman Oceania, Allez Sport Mooloolaba, Davey and Associates Optometrist, Queensland Triathlon Series, Felt Bicycles Australia, Kawana Aquatic Centre, Rackley Swimming, Titan Performance Group / Zone 3 Australia and of course Grant Symes from protector Aluminium for all your support.

Thank you also to the amazing SCTA team for making Rainbow Beach tri weekend yet another wonderful experience. What a weekend!

Hi, I’m Ella Wooldridge. I am 17 years of age and have 2 younger sisters; Erin and Mia, together known as the Woolie sisters.
​
I am so humbled and radiating with excitement to be named the SCTA/ Protector Aluminium 2019-20 Junior Scholarship holder. The opportunity of becoming the junior face of SCTA is something I consider very special. I am so fortunate to have been this opportunity, and I am prepared to do my very best to represent my team with pride, gratification and to share my journey with you all. 

How it all started:
It all started with me growing up in Camden, NSW, running around on grass ovals every Friday night at Little Athletics. And yes, I have to admit the main objective for those Friday nights were to see my friends, and to grab an egg and bacon sandwich at the end. But I guess a bit of running never hurt.

I was 9 years old when I got poached by a run coach after the 800m event at my regional athletics carnival. He was surprised that I was in front of one of his athletes and asked my mum if he could train me for running. This is where the potential of becoming a runner arose. 
I joined his squad and was the youngest runner that he had taken aboard. Looking up to the older athletes was intimidating at first, but I soon became a part of the family as they nurtured me into the squad environment.

At the age of 12, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to race in Melbourne, VIC for the National Cross Country Championships 2015. I was blown away with my result as I placed 7th at the NSW State All Schools Cross Country Championships and then rocked up in Melbourne and finished 7th again in Australia and New Zealand. This was a real highlight for me. To experience a trip away, competing against the whole of Australia and NZ, and meeting many friends, this was something I thought I could get used to :) 

I was a runner through and through until mum introduced my sisters and me to the sport of triathlon.  I look back on the photos of me racing as a kid and was glad to be eased into the sport- Having a basic bike and no cycling cleats for years. As triathlon is an expensive sport, it made me realise and appreciate the constant support from my family along with friends and coaches.

​I have also had the great opportunity to travel to New Plymouth, New Zealand for the Oceania Championships in 2018 as well as competing in the Australian Junior Triathlon Series races that have taken me to all states in Australia. Through years of training, here I am.

I have identified my strengths and weaknesses and have developed my run and bike leg of the triathlon, although, an aspect that is a work in progress is my swim. After moving up from Sydney and transitioning training environments, it is great to see the progress that has come from one year of training with Toby and the team in SCTA.
​
I am honoured to receive such generous support and I would love to thank all the sponsors of SCTA including  Vorgee, Clif Bar Australia, Cannibal Australia, Mizuno Running Australia, Tara Leanne Nutrition, Rydges Hotels and Resorts, The Event Crew, Intune Sports Massage, Ironman Oceania, Allez Sport Mooloolaba, Davey and Associates Optometrist, Felt Bicycles Australia, Titan Performance Group and of course Grant Symes from Protector Aluminium for all the hard work, effort and all the support provided for us young athletes. 

Bring on tri season! I can already feel it's going to be a good one :)
Ella.

2018-19 Season Highlights
Triathlon Queensland State Team
1st Place 16-17 Years Triathlon Queensland State Series
1st Place 16-19 Years QTS Series 
1st Place 16-19 Years QTS # 4 Raby Bay
2nd Place 16-19 Years Australian Sprint Champs
2nd Place 16-19 Years Australian Aquathlon Champs
2nd Place Senior Female - Qld All Schools Triathlon Champs
2nd Place 16-19 Years QTS # 5 Robina
2nd Place 16-17 Years Queensland Aquathlon Champs
3rd Place 16 Years Female Queensland Athletics 2000m Steeple
3rd Place 16-19 Years QTS # 2 Raby Bay
4th Place Senior Girls - Qld Schools Triathlon Champs
6th Place Senior Girls National Schools Triathlon Champs
10th Place "ITU Junior" A Final - Australian Junior Series Race # 1
10th Place "ITU Junior" Australian Junior Series Race # 2
12th Place ITU junior Oceania + Australian Sprint Champs Australian Junior Series Race # 3