QTS # 2 Raby Bay Triathlon Race Report

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.