Queensland Schools Triathlon Championships Race Report

QSS State Triathlon Championships – Hervey Bay

Intermediate – 600m/16km/4km

Race Result - 4th Place - Queensland Team Selection

The day before the race we had our team meeting and photos done. After this I headed down to the beach to do a swim warm up with the SCTA crew to test out the conditions. A few ins-and-outs later I headed back to the hotel room to pack for the next day and get to sleep.

For dinner, I had pasta before getting some sleep. I didn’t have the greatest sleep but when I woke up the next morning I still felt ready to race. I’ve learned that preparation is not what you do a day or two before the race, but weeks before the race. It’s about eating the right foods, staying hydrated and getting enough sleep, so I found that the night before my race didn’t have a major impact on my performance. After eating toast, I re-checked my Cannibal bag to make sure I had everything I needed.

I’m really glad all my race gear fits perfectly in my bag. After riding down to the event area, I got myself numbered up (218) and set up my transition with my Mizuno shoes and Cannibal race belt.

Just after the senior girls started, I began my warm up: 10-minute jog followed by strides and then I headed down to the water to do a swim warm up. It was a really bright day so I decided to use my Vorgee Missile Eclipse googles as they block out the sun’s glare very well.

Eventually the time came where we headed to transition for briefing and then to the start line. Instantly after the boys started, all the girls raced down to the start line to get into a good position for the start. I managed to be very close to the outside so I didn’t have to deal with kicking and elbows during the swim; especially since my wrist just finished healing. I had a really great start; I ran into the water with full speed so there was no one to push me aside. I was one of the first to reach the first buoy. I had an average swim; it wasn’t my fastest but I’m still proud of it considering the conditions.

About 50m from the beach I picked up the pace a little more. As soon as my hand touched the ground I stood up and ran, but as a took my cap off, it fell out of my hand and I had to go back and get it to avoid a penalty. After I sprinted out of transition with my bike, I mounted and raced the first 100m before settling into a steady rhythm.

I paced behind the girl in front of me for the whole ride. Coming back into transition I was in second place. I racked my bike, put on my Mizuno shoes, grabbed my race belt and bolted out of transition. I can confidently say that my hand was as clumsy as ever because I didn’t put my race belt on properly and I dropped it… again. Once again, I had to go back and pick up my race belt. I then caught straight back up to first place and stayed with her for the first kilometre, until the lack of running off the bike practice took its toll.

I backed off a little bit but the adrenaline of being in a podium position was exhilarating. After the first lap, I was sitting in third place all the way until about half way back from the second lap. I dropped back to fourth place but I was still so happy with how the race was going. I finished in fourth place with an ear-to-ear smile.

Although my goal at the beginning of the season was to come top three, I still could not be more happier with my race. I started the season with shin splints and ended it with a fractured wrist and yet I still get to represent Queensland for the third year in a row.

Next goal: place top 8 at National Schools Triathlon Champs in Penrith on 18th-21st April.

A massive thanks to Head Coach Toby Coote at Sunshine Coast Tri Academy and all the sponsors involved in the Junior Scholarship for their support and encouragement.