QTS Race # 4 Raby Bay Triathlon Race Report

QTS Gatorade series Race #4
Race Details 
Day/Date: 10/12/17
Distance:             
Sunday – 400m/15km/4km
Transition:          
Sunday – 5:15am-6:30am
Race Start:          
Sunday – 8:47am
Race Number: 961
​Race Result - Sprint Distance - 1st Place 16-19 Years / Overall Race Winner
 
Race Plan & Goal: The goal for this race was to put the speed that why have been working on into play, keep the skills up to date and to continue working on practising my transition skills.
Preparation for the race: Hydration started two days out, It was going to be very important because I would racing at a very hot/humid time.
Transition set up: The age group rack didn’t have a lot space it was handle bar to handle bar (PACKED) I managed to sneak into a sport not far from the end of the rack. I understood the flow of transition and racked my bike.
 
15mins before my swim start I had my Clif Gel
 
Swim: The swim start was stacked on the right-hand side, so I decided to back myself and start on the far left, By the time the siren went off I had already lost 20m from the group… I had finally got just behind the group just before the first buoy and headed to the next one.  Quickly catching the wave ahead trying to avoid as many swimmers as possible before turning the last can. Heading to the ramp it was packed! So many swimmers trying to get out, I found a gap and went for it. Running into transition as fast and as efficient as I could.
 
Transition 1: Running into transition after a little scuffle, I was at my rack getting my helmet on grabbing my bike and wasting no time.
 
Bike: Around the roundabout, out of the saddle, shoes in and take off. Today I felt like I had a solid bike compared to usual. It seemed as if I was pulling away from the chasers. Even though I saw a bigger gap opening up I didn’t ease off. I kept pushing into the head wind until I had to take my shoes off to dismount.
 
Transition 2: Following the course to the dismount line, once I jumped off the bike and my feet hit the road I lifted my bike and was running and ran into transition. Yelling “on your right,” to anyone in my way. I put my shoes on, helmet off, grabbed my race belt and ran.
 
Run: Running out of transition like I stole something with my brand-new Mizuno Sonic’s, it felt like I was running on air. I was feeling really good on the run, but I knew that I had to hold a good pace because the guys behind me were all good runners. I controlled my breathing and run stride, got to the turn around and had put a lot of time into the others but wasn’t going to back it off. The last one km was a bit of a struggle for a bit. I had gotten a massive stitch in my stomach which took the air from me for about 400m once I hit the final corner I gave it more, so I could finish strong.
 
Summary: Another great hit out before SSRW, it was great to walk away with a great result which gives me a confidence builder before runaway bay. Now it’s time to rest up and RECOVER.