CNational Junior Series Race #1 - Super Sprint Race Weekend Race Report
12-15.12.19
Runaway Bay SSRW - Race Report
 
Day 1- 1500m
Result – 1st Place in heat: 4.46min
The 1500m is the first race of the Super Sprint Race Weekend meaning that it is the first opportunity to gain points towards the overall point score at the conclusion of the event. For me, this race is a great opportunity as a runner to secure some points. With 4 separate heats of Junior girls, I knew it would be tough to determine where I would be sitting based on times. Based on my heat, I discussed with Coach Toby Coote pre-race that I was to run my own race. I knew that the girls would go out fast, so before my race, I had a CLIF Blok to fuel me in advance.  This way I didn't stress so much that a few girls were in front, instead, I controlled my race and picked it up towards the end where I placed 1st place in the heat and 8th overall.
 
 
Day 2- Triathlon: Ultra Sprint (300/6/1.2)
Result- 5th in heat
It is all in the name- the Ultra Sprint is an ‘ultra-sprint’. With the distances of the bike and run in proportion to the swim, I knew that this race was going to be intense, leaving no room for error. I absolutely gave it my all in the swim to get as close as I could to a pack on the bike. After visualising transition pre-race, I was ready to get in and out as efficiently as I could. I was eager to get onto the bike and begin the chase. The additional technical loop added to this year's bike course allowed me to test my skills and make some ground.

After every lap, I assessed who was turning at particular sections of the course and I was stoked to see that I was slightly gaining on girls that were in a pack drafting in front. Unfortunately, I didn't have a pack to work with on the bike and so I remained riding solo for the entirety of the course. When dismounting, my cleats flicked around like crazy, so I ran with my bike lifted for most of the way through to transition. In T2 I was in a better position as I had caught 3 people and after a quick technical run, I passed 4 more, resulting in me coming 5th in my heat and having the 2nd fastest run.
 
Day 3- Aquathon (400/800)
Result- 9th in heat, 16th overall
From experience, this race is ultimately a swimmer’s race. With such a short run, I knew that it would be hard for me to gain those who are in front of me in the swim. After the aquathon cancelled on the 2nd day, I had recovered quite well from Triathlon the day before. As always, I had a great early morning warmup using the swim chords provided by Toby Coote and took a Strawberry CLIF Blok closer to my race. I was lucky to get in a heat full of amazing athletes to work with and so for the swim, I tried my best to stay with those in lanes beside me. I was extremely happy with the result, and although I didn't come out with the top few swimmers, I got a 400m PB! I was so determined to chase those swimmers in front so I had an insanely fast transition and got out there onto the track to chase down those girls. As a result, I ended up placing 9th in a very competitive heat so I was super stoked to get top 10 considering it was more of a swimmer’s race.
 
Day 3- Triathlon: Ultra Sprint (300/6/1.2)
Result: 9th in heat
This race was a replacement of the mixed team relays that got cancelled due to the severe storm that hit us.
Again, I was placed into a very competitive heat with Australian and National champions. It was great to race among these girls as I was in the first heat and with the race results based on time, I was certainly giving it my all. I ensured I recovered really well after the aquathon in the morning by using methods inspired by the Recovery Room- Phoenix Massage Gun as well as utilising the hot and cold spas on the race premises. I was super happy with getting only 1sec off my new PB in the swim considering racing the aquathon in the morning. The bike leg was the same as the last Ultra Sprint- I rode solo, although I managed to reach a few girls in front on the run and makeup 5 places resulting in me placing 9th.
 
 
Day 4- Triathlon: Grand Final (400m/8/1.6)
Result: 3rd in the B Final
This year’s SSRW was the most competitive I have been too. With multiple races to compete in it is crucial that you ensure you have great warm-up and cool downs. I made sure that I had a really good warm-up involving a run warm-up with multiple drills, swim chords and then 400m swim including drills, dive starts and sprints. On the start line, I was somewhat fortunate to be in a lane of 3. While most people think it would be too crowded having 3 in a lane, this gave me a great opportunity to catch some draft off the girls beside me which was beneficial.

Luckily, I wore my Vorgee Stealth Mark II goggles for security as I started on the blocks. This allowed me to have plenty of room to dive and push a little further off the start than what I would do if I was on the deck. Again, I didn’t come out with the top bunch, although I was happy with my swim as Briarna Mow and I pushed each other the whole way. I had a great transition and mount leading me into the bike course. The bike course was more technical than then the previous days of racing. I made sure that I adapted to these changes pre-race and was prepared to efficiently execute it.  

With my swim, I was able to get into a bunch of 3. I ensured that I had my feet in my cleats before I hit the most technical part of the bike course and then accelerated out for the majority of the bike. In the group of girls, I knew that I was the stronger cyclist and made a break, although with the headwind they tailed onto me for the majority of the course.  It was hard being at the front for most of the way, but I knew that I was to focus on my own race and not to wait for the other girls to take a turn. It was clear to see that their objective was to hold on to me, whereas mine was to catch the next pack so I knew I had to make a pretty big break.

I decided to do this while accelerating out of a U-turn. This set me up for a good run with only 1.6km to make as much ground as I could. I was really happy to look back at the results and find that I was the second-fastest transition in T2. This ensured me that I did everything that I could to adapt and work on the 1 percenters- for example choosing my light fast Mizuno Duel shoes in transition. I felt so great to be safe and running to 3rd place behind my amazing sister Erin who came 1st!
  
Massive thanks to Vorgee for supplying the most trusting goggles for the weekend full of many dives and swimming, CLIF Bars Australia for the nutrition- key for fuelling before and refuelling after each race, Cannibal for the shirts that covered the SCTA shoulders in the blazing sun and the tri suits to wear throughout the weekend, Mizuno for the light and fast Duel racing shoes that enhanced every stride- especially running out of the U-turns. Last but not least Protector aluminium as the naming sponsor of the SCTA Junior Scholarship, Toby Coote as Coach of Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy, Triathlon Australia and all of the TO’s that supported us athletes through storms, lightning, and the blazing heat, the SCTA team, Lucy Bowden and Kayleigh Foster for the amazing photos and all parents who invested time, money and for coming and supporting us.

Race – QTS # 4 at Raby Bay
Date - 8th December 2019
Distance – Super Sprint – 400/15/4
Result – 1st 16-19 Years Female / 2nd Female Overall / 10th Overall
 
My preparation into the race mostly focused on hydration and good sleep in the lead up towards Super Sprint Race Weekend. With SSRW tarting off in close to a weeks’ time, I utilised this race as a smart hit out for my upcoming National races.
 
Swim:
I had a really good run and swim warmup using the swim chords provided by Toby Coote as a part of the Junior scholarship.  As per tradition, I had a CLIF Bar (usually eat Choc Peanut but I tried Choc Almond fudge which was equally as yummy!)  I ensured that I got into the water early enough to prepare for my race. Overall, I felt I executed the swim as planned and managed to get out within a few seconds of the lead swimmers.
 
Bike:
Heading onto the bike, I had a really smooth transition where I made some ground on those who were in front of me. I ran beyond the mount line to avoid the carnage and successfully mounted my bike where I was heading onto the course of 3 x 5km laps. The technical course allowed me to practice accelerating out of corners as well as timing when to refuel my body with my favourite flavour (strawberry) CLIF Bloks.
 
Run:
I was really happy with my dismount as my cleats didn’t flick around like they usually do. I powered into transition with two other athletes in my age group beside me. I knew that a quick transition was crucial, hence why I used my Mizuno Duel Race shoes to allow me to efficiently execute a fast second transition and out onto the final leg- the run.
 
All in all, I finished off with a successful race placing 1st in the 16- 19 Age Group and 2nd overall Female. I was so happy that I could stand proud in my SCTA / Cannibal gear and Mizuno Wave Shadow shoes on the podium.
 
With two weeks of consistent training after my little break from graduating school and getting tonsillitis, I feel more excited than ever to head into Round # 1 of The Australia Junior Series – The Super Sprint Race weekend prepared with the help from Toby Coote, Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy, and the following sponsors.
 
Many thanks to The Event Crew and Queensland Triathlon Series for hosting such an amazing event. Also, a big thank you to the Sponsors of the SCTA and SCTA Junior Scholarship Program.  
 
Next Race – Race # 1 of the National Junior Series at Runaway Bay 12th – 15th December