QTS # 3 Kawana Triathlon + Queensland Aquathlon Championships Race Report

Queensland Aquathlon Champs and QTS Race # 3 – Lake Kawana
 
Race Details 
Day/Date: 18/11/17- 19/11/2017
Distance:             
Saturday – 2.5km/1km/2.5km
Sunday - 750m/20km/5km
Race Start:          
Saturday - 8:00pm
Sunday - 7:30am
Race Number:    
12
701
Race Result
Queensland Aquathlon Champs – 16-19 Years State Champion / Overall Race Winner
QTS # 3 – 4th Open Male

Race Plan & Goal:
Saturday and Sunday-  My goal for this race was to have a good hit out, it’s the first race back since my camping so it’ll be good to see how my form is after a solid winter block.

Race Report – Queensland Aquathlon Champs

Preparation for the race –  Hydration was going to play a very important part on this weekend’s race, the weather was predicted to be raining, and clear with mild temperatures for Sunday. I had been drinking enough fluids and the correct in-take before of electrolytes throughout the week.

Transition set up –Transition was basically a free for all

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 improving on leading into Runaway Bay.

Run- I knew that the first run was going to be fast, I made my way to the front of the line to ensure that I would have no problems getting to a prime position before the first left turn. Once we all went off I didn’t get into a rhythm until we hit the first straight where I positioned myself behind the lead runner. There was a group of about 5 of us. A few serges where put down by the others to try and break it up a bit but I made sure that I didn’t lose contact with the leaders I put my googles and cap on just after the turnaround, so I had nothing to worry about before heading into transition. When we hit the turnaround, I was waiting for a good chance to surge and get ahead of everyone before going into transition.
 
Transition 1- I was the first person into transition and the third person to my rack, all I had to do was take off my shoes but I seemed so slow compared to the other two people, I had lost my urgency to get in and get out.

Swim- After being the third person in the water I kicked and got to the can in first, turning the can and trying to get a gap from the other two. My arms felt heavy, it took a while for them to loosen up and feel better. After turning the last can to go into the beach I had gotten a small gap which was good, now I had some time to get out and dive back in and get away. The second lap felt a lot quicker and I felt as if I swam straight. Swimming past all the other age groups before turning back into the beach wasn’t easy but I found some gaps and squeezed my way through.
 
Transition 2- Running into transition with a decent gap I got my shoes on and ran! Just as I was leaving transition the others were getting their shoes on. I knew I had to really go for it.
Run- The final run was a new experience for me, I had never lead from a position like this before. I knew I had to breath and focus on the basics, leg cadence, breathing, etc. Turning the last run turn and looking where everyone was I put in another effort to ensure that there were no sprint finishes, before heading to the finish line and enjoying the run shoot for the overall win.
 
Summary- It was a great first hit out, a lot was learnt, and I look forward to getting back into training in preparation for Runaway Bay. 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.
 
Race Report – QTS Kawana Race # 3
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. Cliff Gels were in place on the bike, no second guessing today…. left Transition and was focussing on my race ahead….. I knew what I wanted to do.

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. The course had more corners which meant that I needed to ride smarter and be more efficient

Swim- I was looking forward to this swim. We all lined up to get ready to go, I was surprised that people gave me some space, As the gun went I dove straight in and started going hard to the first buoy, I had already created a body length gap, but I knew that I needed more. As we turned the buoy I tried to kick to increase the gap, but I didn’t go any faster, it was like I was running on empty.

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. The legs felt a bit heavy after yesterday’s race, I had lost a bit of time in transition and I had to gain it back.  

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- I was a bit worried about the run, after cramping previously in races I was cautious that it was going to happen again which worried me, the slightest discomfort bit me into a worry, I was in 3rd spot off the bike and should have stayed in that position. Although dropped off and struggled through the run, finishing in 4th place.

Summary- Not the best race, although it was great to have raced and to have finished for the first time in a while with good results.

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.