Queensland Schools Triathlon Championships Race Report

Race Report - Ryan Marsh
 
GOAL:
My goal for the tough race was to try and finish in the top 6 and qualify for Nationals, as well as racing relaxed.
 
Race Details:
Day/Date - 24th of February, 2017 - Friday
Distance:  400m/12km/3km
Race Start:  9am
Race Number: 149
Race Result: 5th Junior Male / Selected in Queensland Team for National Schools Triathlon Champs 

Warm up:
I went for a light jog for 10 minutes, followed by some run drills and explosive sprints before, doing a swim warm up before the race start.
 
Swim:
The race start was going to be hectic as there were over 80 people starting together. I knew I would have to position myself well for the swim start. I started on the inside next to a stronger swimmer, which I believed that tactic would advantage me as I would have someone faster to try and swim off. The race started, arms and legs were everywhere, luckily, I had a good start and knew I would just have to try and stay with the faster swimmers to ensure a fast swim. But my plan didn't work out and I didn’t have the greatest swim. I ran into transition in 44 position, I managed a fast transition and gained positions that I lost in the water.
 
Bike:
On the bike, I didn’t focus on how far back I was to the leaders but focused on coming off the bike in the top 3. While riding, I pushed myself very hard to try and catch up in to the top five. I capitalized a strong bike leg that saw myself come off the bike with the 2nd fastest time in 5nd spot.
 
Run:
On the run, I knew I had to go as hard as I could and try and stay in front of other athletes, which were chasing me. After the first lap of the run I was sitting in 3rd place, but I was slowly fading and I was passed on the last lap by two people and finished overall in 5th place to qualify to represent Queensland in the School Sport Triathlon Team.
 
Post-Race:
Debrief with Coach Toby Coote, hydrated with fluids, then went for a light 10-minute cool down, stretched. After looking at the result I knew the race was close but not as close as 23 seconds separating 1st and 5th. I was really pleased with my result after coming 31st last year.