Australian Junior Series Race # 2 Adelaide - Cracking Spokes

Thursday – Travel day
 
The morning started with a text message from Toby, “Roads are wet… Wind trainer set attached.” Sleep in, great way to start. After the set, I wiped down my bike and packed it into the bike bag, a bit of a struggle but finally got it in. The time flew past and the mad rush began shower, dressed and out the front door in 10 minutes and we were off.
 
Good run to Brisbane airport and straight into valet parking… I know fancy right. Straight through to bag check-in and oversized area for my bike. Saying hello with a smile on my face to make sure they look after my bike. Going into the Virgin Lounge for a feed before boarding the plane. A quick 3hr flight watching a movie and listening to some sick beats whilst we made our descent into Adelaide. Beautiful place. Picking up our bags and seeing my beautiful bike unscarred! Over to the rental car station, a bit of confusion but we finally made it out, and made our way to the hotel. Rydges on South Terrence, amazing staff and service. We went into the room and unpacked the bike, getting ready for a little trip around town. Coming back, having a quick shower, getting ready for the Surf Club for dinner and getting myself prepared to meet Stuart McCully from the next level elite.
 
Friday – 1 Day to Go
Starting off yet another day with a sleep in… Taper week is amazing! My sleep in was followed by a great breakfast at a cool Indi Café. Then it was time to hunt down a pool to get some pre-race energy going. After finding the 25 m pool, doing some laps with effort, feeling really good about everything. We had a 1 on 1 session with Stewart who helped me to understand and look at things differently. After lunch we rode the course, it was going to be a tactical race, there were a lot of sharp and interesting corners to be careful of. My first ever ITU race briefing made me feel like a professional, I was definitely more nervous too. As soon as I had checked in my race suit and had gotten my race pack, it was official. Once the briefing had concluded it was off to dinner for a pre-race spag bowl…yummy!
Back to the hotel, bagged pack, rest and relax, all the hard work done and dusted. Now it was time to rip In!
 
Saturday – Race Day
Good start to the swim, water was cold and we waded in, three purposes(?) and off swimming. I got smacked in the head because I was next to the two tallest guys in the field. I realised that I could of gotten 2 more porpoise dives in. It was total chaos until the final can to turn back in where I got some clear water and made time back to the leaders. Good fast transition mounting the bike and seeing that the lead pack was just in front of me. I took 3 pedal strokes and BAM!!! Looking down and I had 3 broken spokes… my race was over.
I was devastated. As I walked my bike towards the side of the road and putting my glasses on to cover the fact that I was about to lose it. All the training, the hard work and the effort had come to this. Luckily enough Stewart McCully caught me just before and helped to calm me down. He helped me realise that I had to step back and focus on the fact that this was out of my control. I am so lucky to have a great support from my team that helped me focus on what’s important.
 
Sunday – Redemption Race
Today I decided against racing in the team relays and instead race in the local opens race, this was to give myself a chance to still race the technical course. It was going to be a late start at 12am and HOT! AS! But I was ready for it.
The swim I was told to go out at race pace and settle into the swim, don’t over cook yourself in the swim. With this advice I got to the first buoy and kicked to get to shore as fast as I could, as soon as my hand touched the sand I was up and running. It was a long run to transition, but I knew if I pushed it I could put sometimes into the other people. Running to my bike, helmet on and sprinting t the mount line for a fast mount, getting out of the saddle and getting up to speed.
I was passed by two people on the bike course and I knew I just had to focus on the run and push it out. Hoping off the bike and hitting the run course in the heat was going to be tough, but thanks to all the QLD cheer squad for helping me get through it. Not the best race I’ve ever raced but still heaps to work on, but I was thankful that I still got to race. A massive thanks to Ross Young from tempo Systems for lending me the front wheel and giving me the opportunity to race! After a great hit out in Adelaide it was time to do some tourist-y stuff.
That night I got to experience a Korean BBQ where we had to cook our own food! It was an amazing experience.
 
Monday- Final Day in Adelaide and Travel Home
My final morning in Adelaide consisted of a sleep in, followed by a late breakfast and a trip to Hahndorf one of the oldest towns in Australia, est. 1839 where we looked around and had a cheeky donut! Awesome scenery here in the Adelaide hills.
Heading back to the airport, saying goodbye to Adelaide, getting a few quick photos and doing a quick post (Social Media is important!) Landing back in Brisbane getting the bags and heading back to the valet parking and heading home.
  
I just wanted to thank everyone for all the support, encouragement and belief. I am truly grateful for it all. Also, a massive thank you to all of the Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy/Protector Aluminium Junior Scholarship