Rainbow Beach Double Triathlon

Race Details 
Day/Date: 2/09/17- 3/09/2017
Distance:             
Saturday - 750m/20km/5km
Sunday - 750m/20km/5km
Race Start:          
Saturday - 3:30pm
Sunday - 7:00am
 
Race Plan & Goal:
Saturday and Sunday-  My goal for this race was to have a good hit out, it’s the first race of the season so it’ll be good to see how my form is after a solid winter block.

Race Report – Rainbow Beach Triathlon Race #1
Preparation for the race –  Hydration was going to play a very important part on this weekend’s race, after not racing for a while it’s important to get back into the swing of things. I had been drinking enough fluids and the correct in-take before of electrolytes throughout the week.

Transition set up – We had specific places to rack our bikes based on numbers. It was good to be back in transition, getting that feeling like I’m about to race is one that I’ve missed.

Briefing for race – I knew the course and I was ready to go, I was really looking forward to what laid ahead, this was going to be another great learning experience for me that will benefit me. Seeing what needs improve for tomorrow and throughout the season

Swim- The swim start was going to be interesting, there was a strong current dragging people to the left that between the beach and the first buoy which was pointed out by Toby, we quickly did some testing to see how far we should start to the right to avoid being affected by the drag. Once we got onto the line and “Go” was said, I ran out to the surf, wading and purposing over the waves and then started swimming. I was one of the first to the buoy and quickly made the turn and sighted for the next buoy and followed the correct line in the choppy surf which is a first that I felt like I swam straight.

Transition 1- After the swim I ran up to the grass area and stripped off my wetsuit. The X-TERRA wetsuit just slid right off, by the time that I had it off the next swimmer had passed me and I was right behind him. Once in transition I put my helmet and my race belt on and took off onto the bike whilst the competitor had to take his wetsuit off.

Bike- Once on the bike there was three of us that had a decent gap on the next group, I had my Clif Gel about 2km before we turned the corner for the turnaround. Once we got to the turn around and one of the riders kept going, missing the turn but I turned quickly as it came up very quickly and I probably hit the brakes a little bit too hard because my back wheel almost slid out from underneath me. Heading back, I was just trying to hold my speed and relax my shoulders. With about 4km to go Simon and Nick had court up to me. I decided instead of trying to get away I should just try and stick with them and get my legs ready for the run. I surged ahead to get in front to give me prime positioning into T2.

Transition 2- After entering transition second, I racked my bike I got my shoes on and took my helmet off and started running. I thought that it was a quick transition considering that I haven’t done it for a while.

Run- After quickly trying to catch up to first place I built up a rhythm and started to feel my calves tighten. Then both calves started to cramp, as annoying as it was I knew I had to fix it quickly. I stretched them out and quickly started running. Once I got to the top of the next hill it happened again. After stretching I knew I had to work hard to catch back up if I wanted to have a podium finish. The winter hill training definitely helped me getting up those hills.

Summary- It was a great first hit out, a lot was learnt and I look forward to seeing how I go tomorrow, sitting down with Toby and going through the Pros and Cons of Today’s race and putting plans into play for tomorrows race. Time to rest up, refuel and re-hydrate to get the body ready to race again tomorrow morning.
 
Times for Race
Swim-10:24 mins       Bike- 28:38mins     Run- 18:27mins     Total- 57:30mins
 
Race Report – Rainbow Beach Triathlon Race #2
Preparation for the race
I had stretched constantly overnight and pre-packed my transition bag for today’s race, Re-hydrating and re-fuelling is an important part of recovery. After getting a good night’s sleep I was getting excited and ready to race.

Transition set up
I racked my bike put my helmet in place with my race belt ready, my towel down and shoes down. Once again, I had my bottles filled one with electrolytes (NUUNS). CLIF Gels were in place on the bike, no second guessing today…. left Transition and was focussing on my race ahead…..I wanted to improve the bike leg today and maintain my focus out on the road.

Briefing for race
I understood the course and I was ready to go, I was really looking forward to racing this race and seeing what I can do but this time without stress. I have raced here previously and knew the course layout – today I am going to target the Bike leg and ride aggressively.

Swim- I was looking forward to seeing how I would back up from yesterday’s race, in the warm up swim I found that the pull wasn’t as strong as it was yesterday, I was confident that I could be in line with the buoy to get around it the fastest. Once I turned at the buoy I saw that I had a bit of a gap and decided to kick harder to increase the gap. The water was flat and very clear, I could see all the wildlife below. Exiting from the swim I did the same as the previous day, taking the wetsuit off at the grass area and ran into transition in first position.

Transition 1- My transition was a bit slower than the previous day, race belt on, helmet on and ran out with my bike.

Bike- Running to the mount line and jumping on my bike whilst trying not fall off, getting up to speed then getting my shoes in. After passing the round about my legs started to feel heavy and it became harder to get over the top of the gear. I tried to stay above my goal speed but with the heavy legs it was a challenge, Simon and Nick where gaining on me, Simon went past first and I tried to keep up with his speed and get into a rhythm with his leg speed but quickly faded. Once Nick road up to me I tried to get back into his rhythm which I held for most of the back end of the bike leg until about 6km to go he started to pull further and further away. 

Transition 2- Dismounting the bike and running into transition to try and make up some lost time, racking my bike by the seat, getting my shoes on for the run to try and pull back some time that was lost on the bike.

Run- With a determined mind set to pull back some time I felt as if I ran a lot better than the day before, I had a higher cadence better drive and felt a lot faster both up and down the hills. I felt as if I wasn’t gaining or losing any time from the leader, so on the second lap I knew I had to kick to catch up a bit. The last lap of the run I ran stronger, flying down the final hill and turning the corner to finish strong.

Summary- Not the best possible outcome that I was hoping for today but it’s the first race of the season and a double race which is always a great test, now it’s time to rest and recovery and work on what I can do better for next time.

Again, none of this would be possible without my Coach Toby Coote, the Sponsors of the Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy / Protector Aluminium Junior scholarship and of course my Family and friends support as always is the reason I can even compete.

Times for Race
Swim- 11:22 mins    Bike-30:05 mins     Run- 18:15 mins             Total- 59:43.7