Ryan Marsh - 6 month Report - July to December 2016

These past 6 months, have been a blast and have gone really fast. The SCTA / Protector Aluminum Junior Scholarship has helped me with my training and racing outcomes financially and through ongoing improvement in my racing and future goals. The Scholarship has helped me develop and become a better athlete both physically and mentally.

The SCTA / Protector Aluminum Scholarship includes some amazing products from Mizuno Running Australia, Xterra Wetsuits Australia, Vorgee, Cannibal Australia and Endura Sports Nutrition. All of these products have really assisted with my training; racing and nutrition throughout the season. In addition, the support from Kawana Aquatic Centre by providing a 6 month membership is greatly appreciated and The Event Crew for providing  a Series entry into the 2016/2017 QTS Series and Ironman Asia Pacific for the Luke Harrop Memorial Gold Coast Triathlon to be held in April 2017 this financial support is incredible.

At the start of this year's season, my run was not my strongest leg due to running in very heavy shoes and poor running technique. With the help from Toby Coote (SCTA Head Coach) my running technique has improved out of sight and the support from Mizuno Running Australia, who provided me with a few pairs of shoes for training and racing. The new shoes which are much lighter and better suited to my feet have given me the comforts of padding as well as lightness for speed. These shoes have helped my run become stronger again in training and off the bike in a triathlon. 

In winter I knew it was essential to keep warm while training, but I didn’t know how to. With the help of Xterra Wetsuits Australia, I was given some amazing products which included an awesome wetsuit, the Xterra Vengenence, a super speedy Speed Suit, the Xterra Valor and other clothing. These products have really produced good results for me by keeping my warmth in training and racing and speed when I raced. 

To improve my swimming, I knew Vorgee was the way to go. After receiving many useful products such as the Vorgee Missiles googles and other Vorgee swim training accessories which have really helped to improve my swimming along side the Coaching from Toby. As now in training I have changed my technique completely and I am trying hard to swim with the right technique and get that down pat before I worry about any speed. Which I was told will come after a few months of swimming with correct technique.

Also, now in my races I can race in ease thanks to Cannibal Australia for making such great quality race suits and training gear and Endura Sports Nutrition for my pre-and post race recovery and nutrition. Additionally, I would also like to thank SCTA / Protector Aluminum for the provision of all the fantastic products such as the Race Suit and associated Training Gear which I use while training and the SCTA clothing products provided as part of the scholarship.

As you have read the last 6 months of my racing and training has gone well and I really appreciate the support I have received with the SCTA / Protector Aluminium Junior Scholarship which has made my triathlon life a lot easier and enjoyable. I cannot thank Head Coach Toby Coote enough for what he has helped me with to improve my training and racing. Also a massive thanks to all the sponsors associated with the SCTA Junior Scholarship. I’m excited to see what 2017 brings for me.

Here is a snapshot the results for the past 6 months:
QLD Duathlon Championships – 4th Place 12-13 Years Male
Sunshine Coast Marathon Run Festival 5km – 2nd Place 11-14 Years Male
QTS # 1 Raby Bay Triathlon – 6th Place U/14 Years Male  
QTS # 2 Robina Triathlon – 2nd Place 13 Years Male
Bribie Island Tri Series Race # 1 – 2nd Place 12-13 Years Male
QLD All Schools Triathlon – 11th Place Junior Male
QLD Aquathlon Championships – 4th Place 12 – 13 Years Male
QTS # 3 Kawana Triathlon – 2nd Place 13 Years Male
TREX Cross Triathlon Lake Crakenback– 2nd Place 12-13 Years Male
Kingscliff Triathlon – 1st Place 13 Years Male
QTS # 4 Raby Bay Triathlon -  1st Place 13 Years Male