New Orleans 5150- May 2013

The weekend after Florida, I found myself in another new place- New Orleans! I had never been here before and was told I had to experience the Beignets and Chicory coffee from Cafe Du Monde- that I did it was delicious!

I was yet again fortunate to stay with an unbelievable Homestay- Neill Buie and his lovely girlfriend Jodie Archer. It was fortunate or unfortunate I'm not too sure, that the New Orleans Food and Wine festival was on the very weekend I was there, AND, even better, Neill was the president!! So I couldn't help myself and Thursday I agreed to go and do the wine walk :) race or no race- it was awesome. I might have to come back sometime though and enjoy the whole weekend without having to race.

The swim was average, I had confidence after Florida but I guess with these 5150's it's a way different level to 70.3, it is fast. The girls took off like the speed of light and I just didn't have that speed. I came out in 20.27 the lead time was 18.54- hmm some work to do there.

Once I hit the bike I tried to push but something was just missing I couldn't seem to get out of my own way. I came off the bike in 3rd with 1.02.41. I really wanted to go under the hour but oh well next time.

    

The run felt good actually, I didn't know how to feel only going out for 10k- so short!!! I tried to push hard, which the body felt a little confused about. I ran a 40.20 in the end which isn't too bad for my first short course race in about 4 years!! It was frustrating in the race, I passed the 2 girls who were off the bike in front of me but 3 others passed me, and it kinda felt like slow motion, but I just couldn't keep up. It was fun though and I really really want to do some more of this distance it is fun with so much less pressure. So a 4th for me in 2.05.29. And in the money- always helps :)

Florida 70.3- May 2013

Coming off such a high from Wildflower I was expecting good things for myself from Florida. It was 2 weeks after Wildflower so I had a week of training to do then I could taper off again.

I stayed with another unreal Homestay, Brian and Kim Jones, and also Beth Bradford who looked after me race night!

I was determined to not have another bad start to my swim and warmed up very well right up until the gun went off. Well, it worked. I had a magnificent start and decided rather than lead the swim just settle in which I did. I felt unreal the entire time so with about 600m to go I decided I wanted it and took off for the win. I was stoked to take out my first 70.3 swim with 25.35, the guys finished in 23.40 so not too bad of a swim.

                             

The bike was a bit frustrating for me, as i couldnt seem to shake Mary Beth Ellis off my wheel. I was feeling good though and contined to ride hard. At the 80k mark I accidentally took a wrong turn and realized straight away, only not quick enough and MbE passéd, as did an age group man who she appeared to jump right onto the back of. I smashed myself trying to bridge to them but they just took off. She put over 2min into me in 10k. I was a little pissed off about this to be honest. It did appear she was a little close to the guy but anyway.

                                 
I was coming off the bike in 2nd place, 2min behind MBE. 2.19. Not too bad... And then I crash landed off the bike, face plant right at the dismount line. I have never done that before. I think my shoe hit the ground a little too hard and it catapulted my bike, and me who was holding onto the bike face first into the ash fault. I had a bit of blood but felt in one piece so continued on.

                                  

The run actually felt pretty good for the first section but I guess the lack of running hit me about 7k and I quickly went backwards, I finished up the run with a 1.35 and I ended up in 6th with 4.24. Out of the money. Bugger. No swim primes at this race either. But happy to have another finish under my belt for then year next up New Orleans 5150- next week!

                        

Wildflower May 2013

My first race in the USA for 2013, my first race "cured" from my mysterious cramping which had plagued me since the end of 2006, which ended up being a slipped vertebra in my back i can fix with a simple stretch, i was excited to see what I could do.

My Homestay was awesome, I was lucky enough to stay with Keith "K-Man" Schmidt, right on the expo/finish line in his huge RV. It was so great being at Wildflower and not having to go up and down that damn hill every time I went 'home' or to the race sight, it was fantastic.

Another first for wildflower- non wetsuit swim! Yeeha! The lake was very low and warm this year- 72 degrees. The morning of the race the air was still cool despite the water being quite warm and after a good warm up I got cold standing around waiting for the men to go off. It meant when the gun went off my arms were very heavy and I had a terrible start but I knew I had the swim fitness behind me so pushed the whole way and ended up in 4th not too far behind the lead girls. I swam a 27.30 while the lead guys swam about 26.50 so actually really happy with it considering I swam alone the whole way, I felt strong.



Onto the bike, my favorite bit of triathlon. I felt good right from the start and went hard the entire way, I won't lie I wanted the record. I saw that a lady had ridden 2.30 and I wanted it! I ended up riding fast- but 2.32. Not overly happy but yet i was off in first and I had a nice gap on the rest of the field.

                                       

I had just got over the stress reaction in my shin and had quite a bit of time off running, which with my run background and ability is not a good thing... So naturally I got run down mile 4, by Heather Jackson. She is such an awesome competitor and I knew she was a great runner, so my goal quickly changed to stay in 2nd- no more passes!! It's a tough run and I love it, it lived up to all expectations hot and hilly but I got myself to the final downhill kilometer and crossed the line in 2nd, i was back!!

                                       

My first drug test wasn't the greatest of experiences- 3 hours later, I was finally able to go and enjoy the moment!

Changes April 26, 2013

Well my life has taken a few turns in the last few months. Firstly January 2013 I started wih Darren Smith and his D squad. It was very eye opening working with him and I got a lot out of it, including a stess reaction in my right Tibia at the beginning of February. Long story short though it wasn't for me and I ended the agreement April 26. I was in the US alone and ready to tackle the world. My first race was going to be Wildflower in lake San Antonio, California May 4th.

New Sponsor- The Cyclery!!

Thank you to my newest (and first) sponsor, The Cyclery bike shop, Lonsdale Street Braddon and Fyshwick. Visit their web page at http://thecyclery.net.au/

With some sweet new kit and a very generous BG bike fit, there's nothing stopping me from smashing out more crazy bike splits in my races..

There are a few changes and improvements being made this year so 2013 watch out because this is my year.

Shepparton 70.3 - 18 November 2012

Race number 3, I had time after Port to actually train a bit, and work on my run.

I was very lucky to have such awesome people here in Canberra to help me out. I approached Daniel Green to help me with my run technique which was invaluable, skipping to the detail he helped me drop to a 1.33 half time, 2 little technique cues and that was only with 3x 20min runs a week- Potential?? I hope so..

Brad Hisko was able to keep my screaming Obturator at bay and gave me exercises needed to adopt the new technique. Thanks guys!!

The Race
My swim at shep was crappy. I started with the pack then i think i got a little too comfortable and got dropped at about the750m mark, I was alone. As annoying as this is I'm not one to harp on things that happen, I put my head down and kept going. In the end it wasn't a terrible time but I had a good couple of minutes to catch up to the 2 leaders Bec Keat and Lisa Marrangon.
Onto the bike and a few niggling cramps forced me to start slow but once again they left me (thank god) and I was able to start pushing. It seemed like forever before Bec Keat came into view, Due to dead roads and lots of turns but once in sight I passed without hesitation. Unfortunately Marrangon never came into view which did deter me slightly, I really couldn't tell if I was riding well or not. In the end I had the quickest time by a minute, I guess I was riding alright.

Onto the run, and as I brushed on earlier I felt good!!! :) I did not think I would be saying that so soon, but for once I actually felt like I could push and not just ' get through it' , I pushed the entire way, hips forward, striding back wards not forwards and I was moving- forward this time!! I was stoked not to get caught, I was only passed by Bec Keat who went on to win, and Lisa stayed in front only being passed by Bec also but no one else, as hard as Sarah Crowley was trying I don't think she expected such a big improvement in the run from me, but then again neither did I. It was nice to be able to use the engine in the run. Can't wait for future races.. I am excited about my run improving. So exciting.. So finished up in 3rd again. happy.

Port Macquarie 70.3 - 28th October 2012

So after my more than competent return to racing, I decided I just couldn't pass up another opportunity to race, in 7days. Because of the lack of running I had been doing in the lead up to Mandurah I was- to dull it down a little- slightly sore, I just concentrated on getting myself able to walk again by Sunday.

It's kind of nice racing back to back, I didn't have to train so much just recover well. I got myself to Port Mac ready to go.

The Race
I had a good swim at Port, coming out first with Kiyomi Niwata (officially 2nd by 0.1sec ). It felt reasonably easy too so happy with that. The bike was awesome, no cramping, so I was happy to put the smack down right from the word go. I managed to put 11.30 into the next girl off the bike. Yep, 11min 30, I should be able to hold that lead right? Wrong. I ran on the spot. I quietly hoped I would be able to run better at this race after my long hard training session exactly 7 days earlier but no, I ran terribly with a 1.43 half. Britta Martin managed to run 19 min quicker and took out the race, Rebecca Hoschke also had a Stella run coming in 2nd, I held on for 3rd. I was content, the fact I could hold it together with so little running and such a short training block coming back into it, I was convinced that this was my chance, my body was finally giving into my stubborn head and letting me do this.