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

Australian Junior Triathlon Series Race # 1 - Super Sprint Race Weekend Runaway Bay 14th - 17th December 2017
Race Result - 6th Place Point score and Winner of Grand Final Race # 6 

This weekend was going to be a big one. We all knew that. The entire SCTA squad had been preparing themselves for this challenge over the past couple of months both physically and mentally. Three weeks out I was just fresh off a week of schoolies (as fresh as you can be) and was ready to dive right back into preparation.

The few weeks leading up to the SSRW were tough and training was put as priority. Once the weekend finally drew near and we began taper, it was obvious we needed the rest. The bounce back we made on the first night of the run was epic. The weekend went as follows: 
Thursday: 1500m run (5pm)
Friday: Criterium (8am); Hyper Sprint Triathlon (12am); Aquathon (5pm)
Saturday: Super Sprint (10am)
Sunday: Ultra Sprint Grand Final (9am) 

This weekend was all about race, recover, race, recover and really tested your ability to adapt and the way you prepared yourself. The amount of nerves and excitement that was experienced throughout the weekend was emotionally draining, but also a thrill. My 1500m run went really well as I attacked from behind, giving me a great number of points to begin with.

Friday didn’t start off too well but gradually got better throughout the day, minus a few hiccups. I miscounted the laps on the track in the hyper sprint; costing me 9 points and with the shortened run in the aquathon I was unable to make up as much ground on the run, also costing me time and inevitably, more points.

In the super sprint on Saturday I mucked up big time in T1; I was unable to mount properly or get my foot in which then lead to me panicking and dropping my shoe. Hence, even after the good swim, I was unable to catch the pack, costing me a large amount of points.

As the U23’s were included in some of our heats, the dynamics of the races were changed due to their strong swimming and cycling abilities, which was unfortunate for me. But in retrospect, it demonstrates the level I have to aim for in order to be competitive on an elite level in triathlon. Therefore, I finished Saturday night in 13th position overall, just scraping into the A final.

If I’m honest, my head was hanging a bit low because of the past mistakes and muck ups. I did keep replaying my decisions over and over in my head. Eventually, I got over myself and knew what I had to do to show them what I am capable of (when I get it right haha).

When the grand final race came around on Sunday, I had everything planned; I knew exactly what I had to do and with the wise words from Toby, I relaxed and thought about the process. I let it happen. I knew if I was to win any of the races this weekend, I wanted it to be the grand finale. The one with the most points and people watching.

Although my swim wasn’t too fast, the U23’s weren’t racing with us and with the help of elastic bands (thanks Scotty), Brittany Yarde and I were able to catch the middle pack and rest our legs for the run. With Jess out in front, I wanted to chase her down. I just had to let it happen.

With three laps to go I got in front and put another 10 seconds into her before the finish. I couldn’t believe it. I had done it. I had put it all together. I was stoked. As the overall winners of the weekend were calculated using the total points from the weekend, I finished in 6th overall. I was very happy with this ending. Everyone in not only the SCTA squad, but every athlete had put in an awesome effort over the weekend. 
​
I’d like to say thanks once again to all the sponsors of SCTA supplying the nutrition, race suits, equipment and support on order for us to train with quality and perform at our best. It was an amazing, fun weekend, with an incredible atmosphere. I can’t wait to race at this level again.