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

QTS Gatorade series Race #6
Race Details 
Day/Date: 11/2/18
Distance:  Sprint Distance – Age group- 16-19           
750m/20km/5km
Transition:          
Sunday – 5:15am-6:30am
Race Start:          
Sunday – 7:32am
Race Number: 518
Race Result: 2nd 16-19 Years and 7th Overall
 
Race Plan & Goal: The goal for this race was to have a good hit out, and continue to work on sharping my skills in preparation for race #3 of the AJTS in Perth.
 
Preparation for the race: Hydration started two days out, it was going to be a very important factor for this race because I would be racing at a very hot/humid time in the classic Cali (Caloundra) heat. It’s always a fun race!
 
Transition set up: Transition was in a park area so there were a few things to look out for when walking in, mainly tree roots and sticks. I racked towards the end of transition closest to the bike exit/entry has possible. I set everything up and was looking around to find markings so I can find my bright orange bike easier.
15mins before my swim start I had a Cliff Gel
 
Swim: The swim action packed with bull sharks (apparently) made for a fast and furious swim. We took off and all met at the can that was only about 50m away from the start it was brutal, the focus was trying to get some air and not go under before hitting the straight. Once we all got around the cans it was time to settle into a steady rhythm. There was a line for the top 5 people that I was lucky enough to swim with. I just had to stay into contact with the front group because I knew that it would set me up for the rest of the race.
 
Transition 1: Out of the water in 5th spot sprinting to my bike, helmet on and grabbed my bike and ran out to the bike course.
 
Bike: Running out of transition my back wheel hit a tree root which snapped my elastic bands off and flicked my shoes around, running towards the mount line and attempting to mount must have been painful for people to watch #Rookie. Once I was on the bike I was out of the saddle and off to try and close the gap on the front group. The first 3 laps are probable better not to speak of, they where a struggle. Slow speed legs aching and me trying ever feasible way to break out of it. The only positive was my corner; low, fast and exciting. The final lap my legs started to get use to the fact that we where riding and started to come good, the speed went up and I felt better. Rolling around the corner and onto the dismount line.
 
Transition 2: Ran to my rack and put my shoes on, helmet off and grabbed my race built and took off.
Run: I had a big run ahead of me, I had lost a lot of time and I had a group of runners behind me. The first km the legs where heavy and I could feel myself going into a negative head space. I knew that I needed to turn it around and stay positive. I needed to focus on the simple things, cadence, breathing and do what I know I can do…. Run. I could see Luke just up ahead, this made me dig deep and find that extra energy that I didn’t know I had. Running back into the supporters and a good speed and heading towards the finish line. It was a hot, fast and tough race but what race isn’t another great learning curve. Time to get stuck into some hard training before the next race. Also, it was great to get an interview from Win News after the race.
 
Congratulations to everyone who raced.
Jake Hynes