Race: Queensland Schools State Triathlon Champs Hervey Bay
Distance: 750/20/5
Category: Senior Men
Result: 11th Place Senior Male - Qualified for the Queensland White Team
 
It was that time of year again — State All Schools, a race that I look forward to each year. I had a goal with this race, and it was to finish in the top group to qualify for Queensland All Schools Nationals. I felt as if I had prepared well for the race. I had felt strong in training and was keen to race.
 
Swim:
The swim was a beach start, it was very packed on the start line with no room to move. I knew it would be key to get off to a fast start to be out in front and not get caught up in the boxing match of competitors around the first buoy. I had a great start and was in the front group and managed to avoid the carnage at the first buoy. The plan was to sit in on the feet and hold my position, saving some energy for the bike and running.
 
Bike:
I came out of the swim just off the front group and knew the bike would be vital in securing a position on the State Team. I jumped onto the bike, the legs felt heavy and I did not feel comfortable in my setup. I tried to increase my cadence to loosen my legs up, however it didn't help. I was slowly fading on the bike and knew I just needed to hold my position and give everything I have on the run.
 
Run:
I came off the bike feeling like crap, but I knew I just needed to run as hard as I could to try and catch up for lost time on the bike. I thought my legs would loosen up from the bike but they didn't change at all. I managed to get into a rhythm on the run but it was far too late, I had already lost a lot of time from the bike and beginning of the run, my goal was just to finish the race.
 
Summary:
Overall, I started the race very strong with a good swim, and I was pleased to see that the hard training had paid off. The bike was very disappointing, as I felt as if I was going nowhere and my legs felt heavy. The run leg I was trying to salvage my race but it was already too late. I ended up 11th overall and qualified for the new Queensland White Team for Nationals. It was time now to put that past behind me and recover ready for AJTS Race 3 in Devonport.
 
Thank you to the Sponsors for your support of the SCTA Junior Scholarship Program

Race: AJTS Race 3 - Devonport
Distance: 750/20/5
Category: Junior Men
Result: 25th Place ITU Junior Male
 
It was time for the third race of the AJTS at Devonport. I was keen to race and make up for my poor race at State Schools in Hervey Bay. I was eager to have a good race, and was in good form and in a good mindset coming into the race.
 
Swim:
The swim was a beach start, another packed start line with minimal room to move. It was a good swim course with a little bit of swell. I knew it would be hectic to get to the first swim buoy. I made sure that I was ready for when the start gun was going to go off. We were off and racing and knew I had to be aggressive at the start in order to have a good swim. I was positioned in a decent position and knew that the bike would be a good place to make up some ground.
 
Bike:
I came out of the swim in a good position not with the top age junior but the boys my age. I got onto the bike and was already in a small group. We were a bit slow to start working together, but once we did we started to catch the bike group in front. It was the final lap of the bike and I could see the bike group we had been chasing just in front, so I knew I had to go know in order to catch them. I attacked up the hill and caught the group by the top turnaround. Tactically, I knew I just needed to sit on and get ready for a fat run.
 
Run:
I had a fast and strong bike and was pleased with where I was in the field. I knew that I needed to execute a good run from here on. I got off the bike and couldn't feel my toes due to the cold weather. I even had toe warmers on my bike shoes and it didn’t help. However I wasn’t worried as I knew once I started running they would be fine. I made the mistake of coming off the bike at the back of the pack. This meant when I came out of transition there was basically nobody to run with. I was chasing and made up some positions, but I could get into a fast rhythm until the last lap where it was too late. However I finished strong and was pleased with the race I executed.
 
Summary:
Overall, I was very pleased with the race I had and executed. There were a lot of positives to come out of the race after a poor race at State Schools. Know it was time to recover and tune up for the back end of the season.
 
Thank you to the sponsors for your support of the SCTA Junior Scholarship Program.