QTS # 1 Robina and QTS # 2 Raby Bay Race Reports

Raby Bay Triathlon Race Report
Race: Queensland Triathlon Series
Date: Sunday 13th of October 2019
Distance: 900/25/6
Category: Open Men
Result – 11th Place / 13th Overall  

QTS Robina race 2 of the series I knew it was going to be a challenging
race deciding to race the long distance in the open men category, however, I
was determined to have a strong race.

Swim:
The swim was longer than what I usually swim but I didn't see this as a disadvantage, I knew that I just have to swim strong and hold my speed and rhythm throughout the entire swim. I knew because I was racing opens, I would most likely come out behind everyone in the swim yet I didn’t let that thought slow me down. I started the swim strong but was beat up a bit, but nevertheless I still I was positioned pretty well in the
second swim group. I stayed with the pack for the whole swim and came out of the water in a good position. 

Bike:  
I had a fast transition and made up some time, I knew on the bike I just had to settle into a fast pace and try not to lose any ground on the competitors in front of me. I watched as the lead riders started to get further and further away but it didn’t bother me, they were all TT Bikes and have lots more experience and strength on me. This was a massive learning curve that will enhance my development further into this season of racing. I was happy to hold my position from the swim to the bike only being overtaken once. Now I knew it was up to the run

Run:
​I came out of transition strong and knew that I needed to hold my leg cadence (been working on this in training) and find my rhythm for the duration of the run. I found a comfortable speed at which I slowly started to increase leading up to the finish. I had a pretty strong run, although I lost my rhythm / Form and cadence in the final lap and was overtaken. I finished strong and was quite happy with my run. There are some points I have taken out of the race and will adapt into training to perform better next race.

Summary:
In summary, I was pleased with my outcome from the race. I know that there is still some work to do but it is early in the season. Racing Opens opposed to Age Group showed the next level at which I need to be at. I am proud to see the progression from training being implemented into the racing arena.

Next Race
Queensland All Schools on home turf at Lake Kawana on 27th October

Robina Triathlon Race Report
Race: Queensland Triathlon Series Race # 1
Date: Sunday 29th of September 2019
Distance: 750/24/5 
Category: 16 -19 Men
Result : DNF

QTS Robina was the first race back since Lausanne and was the first race of the Queensland Triathlon Series. I would like to thank the Event Crew who has given me the opportunity to participate in this race as well as the entire QTS series as part of the Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy Protector Aluminum Junior Scholarship.

Swim:
The swim was a hip depth start; it was a pretty large field as usual and I knew it was important to be in the leading swim group. The buoys were positioned quite a long way out allowing the swim to start to not be so hectic. I started the swim with a very strong start and found my swim stroke early on. for the entry of the swim I was in the front group. It was great to see all the swimming practice had paid off with the swim feeling relatively easy and I was able to be one of the leading swimmers out.

Bike:  
I had a fast transition and was out onto the bike I tried to settle into a nice speed but I was starting to have some stomach cramps and pains I had started to feel in the day leading up to the race. On the bike, I was losing time I couldn’t get comfortable with the stomach pains I was facing. The goal was just to finish the bike and limit my losses and try and stretched it out on the run.

Run:
I went onto the run with some lost time needing to gain however after stretching out in transition the pains kept holding me back. I decided I would finish the first lap of the run and see how it was from there. But it kept getting worse I pulled up with a lap to go after vomiting at the aid station and thought it was the best option for my general health. 

Summary:
Overall, I started the race very strong with a fantastic swim, and I was pleased to see that the hard training is starting to pay off. The cramping I suffered throughout the race was just a case of bad luck since I have never had cramping like this before, after speaking to coach Toby he said it was most likely a stomach bug that I picked up in the lead-up days causes the cramping. Hence was still happy to be out there racing again. There were positives that I will take out of the race and implement in the coming races that I will be competing in.

Thank you to the following sponsors for your support; Unique Health foods, Vorgee, Cannibal Australia, Mizuno Running Australia, Intune Sports Massage, Tara Leanne Nutrition, Rydges Hotels and Resorts, The Event Crew, , Ironman Oceania, Allez Sport Mooloolaba, Davey and Associates Optometrist, Queensland Triathlon Series, Felt Bicycles Australia, Kawana Aquatic Centre, Rackley Swimming, Titan Performance Group / Zone 3 Australia and of course Grant Symes from protector Aluminium for all your support.