AJTS Race # 2 - Robina Triathlon

About three weeks ago I had a crash on my bike resulting in a fractured scaphoid (a bone in the wrist). At the time I was probably more disappointed than hurt because round 2 of the Australian Junior Tri Series was just 2 weeks away and QLD School Sport State Champs is just around the corner. But I tried to stay positive: it was the perfect chance to observe an important race from a different perspective, and it gave me a good chance to work on my weakest leg which is the run – for now.

​ROBINA – ROUND 2 OF AJTS (SATURDAY) AND ROUND 5 OF QTS (SUNDAY)

Everyone expected a super hot weekend but the conditions turned out to be wet and cold on Saturday, which is not ideal weather, especially for a draft-legal race. Watching all the competitors warm up made me jealous because I couldn’t race, and watching them race just made me more motivated. With the wet conditions there were a couple of crashes and I hope everyone involved has a speedy recovery.
 
The conditions were much better the following day: the sun was behind the clouds and the temperature was cool and dry. It was a real eye opener watching everyone race in non-drafting compared to drafting because the results were different. I could tell that all the competitors who raced on Saturday were tired for Sunday.

Not being able to race gave me a chance to see a totally difference perspective from my fellow competitors that I wouldn't normally see as I would of been racing.

If there’s one thing I learnt from (watching) these races, it’s that everyone is hurting just as much as the next person… also that spectating is a lot harder than it seems, but at least I was comfortable in my Mizuno shoes.