Triathlon Australia Junior Race Series Race # 1 - Super Sprint Race Weekend

Race - Runaway Bay AJTS Race #1 – Super Sprint Race Weekend
Race Plan and Goal:
My ultimate goal is to get top 5, I have my target races and having done all the training I was ready and excited to race! I had a few race plans in play for each of the races.
 
Preparation for the Race:
The preparation before the race started on the 1st of December, I had to follow a nutritional diet from Tara. I was feeling really good leading into SSRW. I also started my hydration 2 days out from my first race.
 
Transition Setup:
The transition setup was based on numbers, it was a very tight rack, bike to bike which meant that transitions had to be done quick, fast and carful.
 
Race #1 - 1500m run – Result 14th Place
Second heat, at first glance it looked like it was going to be a fast wave. As the gun went I pushed to make sure I was in a good spot but I had pushed too hard and I was sitting in 3rd the pace for the first 400m was slow, although it revved up quickly.
 
With just 400m to go it was a sprint, I was just on the back of the front group and had just started to drop off the pace. Finished the race in a good spot, time to rest up, recover and get ready for tomorrow.
 
Race #2 – Crit Race - Result 3rd Place
Note to self, it would be better if you don’t fall on the ground at the start of the race. Adrenaline had kicked in, I was in last spot and sprinted to the front of the group in the first 100m. I got into transition first and had a quick transition and a good mount to lead out onto the bike, lots of smart tactics at speed made it interesting.
 
Good cornering and the pack was all together. Dismounting I lifted my bike and ran into transition. After a quick transition, I had made it to 4th place and it was a sprint to the line, getting more points then expected. 2 down 5 more to go.
 
Race # 3 – Hyper Sprint – (200m Swim/ 4km Bike/ 1.2km Run) - Result 9th Place
As the siren went we dived in, I had decided to kick from the start of the race to insure a good lead. By the first 50m I was in the lead, in the next 100m I had quickly learnt that I had gone out too hard. The last 100m was me trying to finish off strong and get out onto the bike. Transition was quick again and I ran hard to the mount line, so I could control the pace through the tight section. The bike was once again very fast and the wind had picked up, making it a bit harder.
 
Coming back in just off the back of the front pack (6th) dismounting and running into transition and exiting 4th, I raced up to the back of the pack and at the 300m mark I started to feel a slight cramp coming on. I was trying to change my run style to make it go away, slowly dropping off from the pack. I then started to feel better and started catching up and sprinting for the last 400m. Finishing an average/slightly disappointing race. Time to get ready for the aquathlon.
 
Race # 4 – Aquathlon – 400m Swim/ 1.2 km Run - Result 4th Place
This was my target race, I had a plan to stick to. I was going to go out easier then the last swim and build into it. Going to the tumble turns and pulling away slightly. I was happy with my swim, leading out of the water, quick transition and out onto the run. I was in front of some people I knew to be fast so I really dug deep and go for it.
After the first lap fatigue kicked in, I was keeping my form as best as I could. At the 800m mark, Lorcan and Luke came around and I tried my best to keep with them. Sprinting for 3rd spot and a fast time to finish off the race. In the end it was a fast and hard race both physically and mentally. Time to rehydrate, recover, rest up and prepare for tomorrow.
 
Race # 5 – Ultra Sprint – 300m Swim/ 6km Bike/ 1.6km Run – Result 13th Place
With a race plan in mind and a stacked wave, it was going to be on. The first 100m was done at a comfortable pace and started to wind it up towards the end. Getting out of the water in 3rd, going into the transition at speed to come out in 2nd place. Running to the mount line getting my shoes in and getting into the pack. Rolling through really well for the first lap and holding on, going into the second last lap I took the U-turn too quick and I was in too big of a gear. Grinding out of the corner and leaving a gap between myself and the pack, I knew I had to close it.
 
I worked hard and just got back on only to hit the bridge and fall back off again. Boing by myself for the final lap. I desperately needed a quick transition and a good run, I went out at a hard-controlled pace and held it. Running everyone down, just unfortunate that there wasn’t enough time left. Finishing in 5th and learning from my mistakes. Finals tomorrow; time to rest up and prepare for it. Rip in!
 
Race # 6-Super sprint-400m Swim/6km Bike/ 2.4km Run – Result 10th Place
All the hard work had lead to this moment. The “A” Final, I was both excited and nervous, it was going to be a tough race but with a race plan set I was ready to get it done. The siren went off and it was on, the swim started off at a quick pace, it was important for me to control my pace and then kick towards the middle to hopefully start to pull away and make it to the front pack. Towards the end of the swim I was sitting in a good position towards the end. Getting out of the swim and racing into transition for a quick transition.
 
When exciting transition I went wide and was told to go back in-between the cones, when my wheel turned to quickly and throw the bike in the air. I lifted it up and tried to run and it happened again. With two hands I straightened the bike and continued running toward the mount line. Getting on my bike and getting my shoes on before we got out the gate, sitting in second spot and getting on the back of Lachlan Jones before the pack caught up. Sitting on the back on the second lap before the U-turn (Another rookie mistake) getting out of the saddle and just missing the back of the pack and sitting down to early and not getting back on.
 
Trying to get back on for the final laps. 2 others caught me and we went into transition together. I got to the front before heading into transition. Getting my shoes on and taking my helmet on and working on my pace while running. Picking off the guys from the front pack and slowly running through them. Heading down the final straight trying to finish off the race and leaving nothing in the tank. Finishing off the weekend with a top 10 and nothing left in the tank.
 
Summary
I was happy with my races and have learnt a lot from this weekend. Now it’s time for me to work on my weaknesses and improve my strengths before the next AJTS Race 2.
 
Result – 10th Place Point score