SCTA/Protector Aluminium Junior Scholarship (2018-2019)

I feel absolutely honoured to have been the female recipient of the Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy/Protector Aluminium Junior Scholarship Program for the 2018-2019 season.

First up, my family and I would like to thank all of the sponsors of SCTA including Vorgee, Unique Health Products, Clif Bars Australia, Cannibal Australia, Mizuno Running Australia, Tara Leanne Nutrition, Rydges Hotels and Resorts, The Event Crew, Intune Sports Massage, Ironman Oceania, Allez Sport Mooloolaba, Davey and Associates Optometrist, Stratton Finance Mooloolaba, Felt Bicycles Australia, Titan Performance Group, Zone3 and of course Grant Symes from Protector Aluminium for all the hard work, effort and support provided.

The experiences I have been able to gain from being this year’s recipient has been amazing, from visiting Unique Health Products and touring the local business and warehouse, to attending the Luke Harrop Foundation Launch on the Gold Coast. These experiences have allowed me to gain confidence talking to the people that support our sport and that are highly involved members within triathlon.

There is no doubt that I have loved every moment of this year’s season with receiving the most supportive, lightweight and aesthetic shoes from Mizuno, an outstanding made tri suit and SCTA uniform in the beautiful new blue colours from Cannibal, perfect fitting goggles and swimming bag fit with all swimming training necessities from Vorgee, bars and chews to fuel me in training and races from Clif and Unique Health Products, my first ever tri wetsuit from Zone3 and Titan Performance Group which is extremely warm and fits snug on my body, as well as extremely pretty coloured.

 I would love to specially thank Intune Sports Massage for keeping my body align throughout the season and Tara Leanne Nutrition for providing me with the right knowledge for fuelling my body and also helping me control my asthma with has been affecting me for ages through finding the triggers from certain food groups. This had a huge effect on my performance and I couldn’t be more grateful for the help I received from Tara in order for this to happen. Another huge thank you goes to The Event Crew for providing me with race entries this season. This support allowed me to attend more races then I have ever been able to do in a season and gain a huge amount of race experience.

With the help of these sponsors I have really strived this season. Although there is always highs and lows in sport, I have been able to see the improvement in myself as the season went by. I have always loved triathlon but by being the recipient it has deepened my love. This season I most definitely debriefed more on my races by writing race reports and reflecting on what I did well and what I could improve on. I think this really helped me improve as if a race didn’t go to plan I knew what I needed to do for the next one to change that result. By doing this I know I definitely became more proud of my results as I focused more on the improvement in myself compared to comparing my abilities to other athletes.

By being the recipient I have gained so much confidence in myself in triathlon and it has reminded me of why I love the sport as much as I do. This is because it can be hard to stay motivated when you aren’t seeing any improvement and it can feel like no matter how many early mornings or how many training sessions you do, it still feels like you are getting nowhere, however the scholarship felt like that extra motivation to remind me why I do what I do.

I simply do triathlon because I love it, I love the feeling it gives me when I complete one, I love being able to challenge my body and see myself get stronger with every training session and race, not because of the results I get. I love triathlon because of the people that are involved in the sport and the people that support me, specifically the SCTA family and my coach, Toby Coote. I have been a part of the SCTA team since 2014, and I feel proud to be a part of such a hard working team.

The squad is simply a family and I thank each and every one of its members for making it this way with all of your support. I love training with Toby as he makes every ability feel welcome and never puts pressure on me to perform. Toby has always made me feel proud of myself after every race regardless of what I come and he has helped me improve and gain knowledge about triathlon. The biggest thank you without doubt goes to Toby, for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be the scholarship holder this season, it has been an honour and an experience that has definitely helped me in every way possible.

I strongly encourage fellow SCTA juniors to apply for next seasons scholarship as it will be an amazing experience and you will gain so much more insight into the triathlon world.
Thanks for a truly amazing season legends!

I now hand over to the 2019/2020 Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy/Protector Aluminium Female Junior Scholarship Holder. Good luck, you will do amazing things!

Season 2018-19 Results includes -

• 2nd Place 15-17 Years - 5km Run Sunshine Coast Marathon
• 4th Place 16-17 Years - Queensland Aquathlon Champs
• 4th Place 16-19 Years - QTS #5 Robina
• 5th Place 16-17 Years - Triathlon Queensland State Series
• 6th Place 16-19 Years - Australian Sprint Champs Luke Harrop Memorial
• 7th Place 16-19 Years - QTS # 3 Kawana
• 9th Place Senior Female - Queensland All Schools Triathlon Champs
• 11th Place Senior Female - Queensland Schools Triathlon Champs
• 13th Place 16-19 Years - QTS # 6 Caloundra
• 13th Place U/17 Girls - Queensland All Schools X Country
• 25th ITU Junior Female - AJYTS race 1: Super Sprint Race Weekend Runaway Bay + 6th Place ‘B’ Final

Round 6 of the Queensland Tri Series – Caloundra
Date – 3/02/19
Distance – 750m swim/20km bike/5km run
Result – 13th 16-19 Years Female / 43rd Female Overall
 
What a tough race this was. It is safe to say that this race really tested me this weekend and was definitely one of the most challenging races I have had to date.
 
Swim
The swim was extremely tough, swimming against the current for the entire duration of the swim and also the wind had picked up causing it to be really choppy. The first buoy was complete carnage and had me jammed between people stuffing up my rhythm. After a while of fighting through the crowd the swim really didn’t get much easier due to the harsh windy conditions. Let’s just say this swim definitely was not one of my best but sometimes that’s just the way things go.
 
Bike
The transition leading into the bike was pretty average after running into the back of someone who had stopped and blocked the mount line which had me stressing but I was happy with how quick I was putting my helmet on as this is something I have been having trouble with in some of my previous races. Overall, the bike wasn’t too bad considering the wind and after I managed to settle into a rhythm it ended up being a pretty decent ride.
 
Run
My run is something that has always been strong in every race I do out of the three legs. I was happy with my run today managing to catch a few places and finish the race off on a positive note. I managed to settle in to the run quite well and use another girl as a pacer which helped me peg the few places down.
 
Overall, today’s race was just one of those races where things didn’t necessarily go to plan but I am still extremely proud of my efforts. I know I always have the support of my coach, team mates and family regardless of my result and it is races like these that really allow me to reflect on improvement. One thing I am looking at working on before the State Champs in March is my mount.
 
I am looking forward to these coming weeks of training and preparation for state trials and am excited to see what I can do. Always a huge thank you to my sponsors, you guys are a huge part of my preparation, ranging from nutrition to the perfect pair of shoes. Great work to the SCTA fam and our coach Toby Coote commentating at today’s race.
 
At this stage my next race will be Queensland Triathlon Trials for school in March, but until then you can find my training. Here’s to really buckling down and hopefully when you next hear from me we will have some more positives to add to the list.
 
Thanks for all the support legends!

Round 5 of the Queensland Tri Series – Robina
Date – 13/1/19
Distance – 750m swim/24km bike/5km run
Result – 4th Female in the 16-19 category
 
Round 5 of the Queensland Tri Series was held at Robina and I was entered for the Sprint Distance Triathlon. I was excited to race at Robina, being the first Tri for 2019. I was also happy to get to put my work from training to the test under race conditions.
 
Swim
I felt strong and comfortable in the water when I was swimming and was really happy with the time that I completed the distance in. I had a good start and didn’t get caught between the carnage to the first buoy which allowed me to settle into my pace and have a decent swim without any stress.
 
Lately at training Toby has been really focussing on my catch in the water and my technique which I think has really helped with my improvement. I have also been paying more attention to the minor details in training that have helped make large improvements and with furthermore attention will make a significant difference.
 
Bike
My bike is something that I have been trying to work on for a while as it seems I lack some strength to keep up with the top girls, however I was stoked with my bike time and how I felt leading onto the run afterwards as well. I was a little nervous being a little longer of a ride then what I was used to but was extremely happy with the end result.
 
In training we have been doing criterium based riding sessions which has really helped with my cornering and bike skills as well as my speed and strength that I usually lack. We have also been running off the bike after this which has gotten my legs used to high intensity riding then having to go straight into fast pace running. This is something I noticed majorly that helped me feel more relaxed in my run.
 
Run
As I mentioned above, I was able to feel more comfortable on the run due to already training my legs to be used to the transition of riding into running. The run has always been one of my strengths out of the three legs however I was happy with how my body felt which is a big positive.
 
My asthma also felt under control which is something I usually struggle with. This is all thanks to Tara Leanne Nutrition for helping me recognise triggers for my asthma and also making sure I’m fuelling my body with the right foods, especially before and after training.
One thing I would have liked to done better in this race is my transitions and just by making them a bit faster.
 
There is no doubt that there is still room for a lot more improvement however this race for me was a point where I realised how much I have improved and was extremely happy with how my efforts are starting to pay off.
 
Special thanks to Queensland Tri Series for providing me with entry into the race and always a huge thank you to all of the sponsors that supports the SCTA Junior Scholarship program. I appreciate every single one of you and all your support you guys have given me this season so far.

Thanks for a great weekend team, smashed it!

Next Race will be QTS # 6 on home turf at Caloundra over the sprint distance.

17/11/18
Aquathlon: 2.5km run – 1000m swim – 2.5km run
Result: 4th Place 16-17 Years and 17th Female Overall

18/111/18
Triathlon: 750m swim -  20km bike -  5km run
Results: 7th Place16-19 category
What a weekend of racing! This weekend had me competing in two events over the two days and was highly enjoyable with the great support of the SCTA squad. It was awesome to see so many SCTA athletes competing this weekend and cheering each other on. Extremely thankful for the entries into this weekend’s races from the Queensland Tri Series. Your support is greatly appreciated!
The Aquathlon was on Saturday morning with some nice sunny weather. My first run was not the best as the lead girls set a cracking pace and I just didn’t manage to find my rhythm. I jumped into the swim with my asthma playing up and upsetting my breathing pattern. After the first 500m of the swim I felt more comfortable after breaking it up with a little run onto the sand and then heading in for another 500m.

The second half of my swim was a lot better after managing to settle down my breathing and get into a rhythm. As I headed out for my second 2.5km run I felt a lot fresher and felt more comfortable when I was running. I was really happy with my second run, managing to peg back a few places.
The Triathlon was on Sunday morning and was quite overcast with some strong winds. My swim was not exactly what I was hoping for due to lifting my head to much to sight the buoys because the lake was very choppy. My first transition was fast and I managed to push past the carnage at the mount line and have a successful mount.

The bike was extremely windy and the course consisted of a lot of turns and changing of direction. I felt really strong on the bike but struggled a little bit coming into the headwind. I had another successful dismount and transition and headed out onto the run course. I felt extremely comfortable on my run, settling in on the first lap and coming home strong on the second lap. I managed to pick up some time that I had lost in the swim and gained some places. I was extremely happy with my run and how well I paced myself, compared to other races where I usually went out a little too fast and couldn’t come home as strong.
Overall, I couldn’t be happier with my races this weekend and enjoyed being out on the track with some extremely talented athletes along side me. Great to be out racing with the SCTA crew and all the support I received from the squad and Toby. Huge shout out to Mizuno, Apollo Bikes and Felt Bikes Australia, after receiving a little package of goodies from them with two new pairs of shoes, a pair of Wave Inspires 14 for training and some light weight Sonics for racing, and also some lights to keep me visible and safe on those early morning rides. Can’t wait to try these out!

In terms of improvement, I am looking to get some more open swims done when I will be training back on the coast on the school holidays with Toby and the squad. I just need to get some experience back in the ocean and prepare before State champs in March next year. Big thanks to Clif Bars Australia for fuelling me for this weekend’s races with the Gels, Bloks and Bars.

Next race will be the first round of the Australian Junior Series at Runaway Bay for the Super Sprint Weekend 13th-16th December

Race - Queensland All Schools Triathlon - Lake KAwana
Date - 28/10/18
Distance - 750m swim  -  20km bike  -  5km run
Results - 9th Senior Girls / 2nd in Darling Downs / Qualified for Qld Schools Tri Champs

My first race for the season! I woke up excited to finally race after months of training and preparation for this season. After setting up my gear in transition I made my way to the club tent to hydrate and rest my legs before the race. Toby and I looked at the plan for the race and what I needed to implement in. We went through getting a good start in the swim to stay close to the leaders and have a good transition to the bike. I had to make sure I watched the corners and powered around them quickly to reduce losing time. For the run, I just needed to settle in to a rhythm and tap it out best I could to try and peg a few girls back and have a strong finish to the race.

After this it was time to warm up. I went for my usual ten minute run with run drills and a swim to fire me up before briefing. To give me the extra fuel for the race I ate CLIF BLOK Energy Chews. Before I knew it I was lining up on the start line, looking at the orange buoy ahead.

The swim consisted of the usual chaos to the first buoy, but I managed to escape the carnage and settle in beside two girls. I was happy with my swim, coming out in tenth position, making it a huge improvement to my previous triathlons. I felt relaxed after the swim and headed into transition for the bike.

My first transition was successful with a reasonable mount, as I quickly made my way out onto the course and settled in for the five laps. I shot down a CLIF Shot Energy Gel to refuel me after the swim. My first lap was high intensity, however by the third lap I was lacking the aggression I spoke about with Toby before the race. After five laps I dismounted my bike and ran into transition.

 I grabbed my hat and race belt and tried to settle in for the five kilometres ahead. There was no doubt that it was warming up and I knew I could pick up a few places if I concentrated. My first lap was uncomfortable and not as fast as I would have liked, with my breathing not being the best. As I moved into the second lap I knew I could push it home. The second lap I started to implement in what Toby had spoken about and picked up my cadence, enabling me to pass a few girls and finish in ninth position.

Overall, I was extremely happy with my end result. I am stoked to have made the Darling Downs team and secure a spot for the State Championships next March. For the first race of the season, I am excited to see that I have more base fitness than previous years, which will come in handy for eight weeks of school holidays, where I will be training with Toby and the SCTA squad. Hopefully, with the extra fitness under my belt, I can build on it more than I have in previous years and gain some more skills to help with my racing.

In terms of improvement, I am looking at improving my bike skills and gearing. I also need to control my breathing more so that I am getting enough oxygen into the body and can settle into the run earlier. If I can work on implementing these into my race, I will be able to improve my racing results.
It was an exciting start to the season!
​
Next race is back at Lake Kawana with the Qld Aquathlon Champs - 17th November and Race # 3 of the Queensland Triathlon Series - 18th November. Two races in one weekend, let’s see what we can do!

Date - 19/8/18
Race – Sunshine Coast Marathon 5km
Distance –5km
Time – 21.06 minutes
Place – 5th Female overall / 2nd 15-17 Years Female

The Sunshine Coast delivered today with its perfect weather, making it a great day for a run. The atmosphere of the crowd was amazing and I really enjoyed this one. I felt extremely strong throughout the race and was really happy with how I went, coming 5th overall in the females.

​Trying out my new Mizuno wave riders gave me the support that I needed whilst still maintaining my speed. Loved the colours!!

Once again thanks to CLIF Bar Australia for fuelling me for the race and a huge thanks to Mizuno for providing me with entry into the race and the new shoes. 

Thanks to Coach; Toby Coote, one more step in our long road to success.

Next race will be back at the track in Toowoomba with Toowoomba Secondary School Sport athletics.
Cheers Macey