QTS # 3 Kawana Triathlon - Race Report

Race Report  QTS #3 Kawana Triathlon by Ryan Marsh

Race Details
Day/Date: Sunday 13th October 2016
Distance: 400m/16km/4km     
Transition: Sunday - 5:30am-6:30am
Race Start: 08.33am    
Race Number: 1045
Race Result: 2nd Place U13 Years and 46th Overall

Race Plan & Goal:
Sunday will be second QTS Race and Super Sprint race ever. Moving up to a longer distance is challenging and I will have to ensure I know the course layout, the required amount of laps etc. I prefer the challenge of the longer distances to the short/long enticer races. I will put into practice valuable points learnt and transferred into bike training over past week from bike leg at All Schools Triathlon. As always, my goal is not to doubt myself, stop being nervous and race relaxed.

Race Report – QTS #3 Super Sprint:
Pre-race
Hydration always important for any race. Race start was 08.33am. Although a little overcast you could feel the heat from the sun already, it was going to be hot. Fluids, fluids, and more fluids for hydration before the race. Early breakfast once again, banana for added fuel, some pre race stretching and warm-up drills prior to start.

Swim
Swim is always important, as the start was for male U20 competitors I made sure once again I positioned myself next to a swimmer I considered fast and that I could chase. I also made sure I was not in a position that I would be swamped by bigger stronger swimmers and spat out the back. Overall I was happy with my swim came out 2nd in my age group, still room for improvement.

Bike
Coming out 2nd in the swim and just behind competitor 1050 who is a strong bike rider, I knew I would have to work hard on the bike leg so that I did not lose too much ground. I made sure I was out of the saddle when needed and that my head was up and looking forward at all times. This all paid off as I had a really strong bike leg, one of my best ever.
Run - At this point I knew what I had to do. I had to run the first place runner down. It wasn’t going to be easy but it was possible. Leading on to the second lap, I saw the leader 1050 and that I was getting closer each time and knew it was time to ramp it up. I picked my leg speed up and eventually had the leader around 20 seconds in front. I then tried to catch the leader, but he was about 15secs to far in front, but I didn’t give up, felt strong in the run finishing with 16min and 40sec in the run, with overall 2nd in age group.

Post-race
After the race I congratulated first and third place. I made sure I rehydrated with fluids and reduced the heart rate down.  This was then followed by an easy 5 minute cool down run and swim as it was hot. I then changed into dry clothes, waited for the presentations to commence, while keeping hydrated and claimed my second place.