marathon in the making

So I’ve tested out my legs twice now in a marathon and so far I’ve been pretty stoked with my results. Running has always been my jam, way back when in year 3 I was oh so excited to be asked to represent our school in the year 4 category in cross country, and even more so when I placed 7^th. I would have loved to see my splits for that.

 living the dream in year 3... that ain't no lululemon top.

Now it’s time for me to ditch the 7hrs of exercise, yep that’s right the only marathons I have raced have been at the tail end of an Ironman, and see what I can do in 42.2kms. With Melbourne Ironman being my first marathon, I had only ever ran 36km in training and managed to whip out a 3:27hr and in Hawaii after an epic 7hrs on the bike alone I ran a 3:47hr.

No surprises here, I’m setting myself a challenge. I want to bring this soul marathon in under 3hrs, and because what you say you create, my goal time is 2:55hr. I’ve literally just done the math for the first time and that’s looking like 4:14min/km, haha love it! I’ve totally got my work set out for me.

I’ve picked the Traralgon marathon on the 21^st of June as my mission. Keeping it country and humble. I’ve heard it’s a decent course and not too busy, and I like the sound of that. I’m 3 weeks into a 16 week program and already, just from consistency and a gradual build, I can feel my body regaining that fitness and the speed I had a fair few months back. Just as if you were building up from 0-5km, it is in small increments that you see the improvement and benefits; one giant quantum leap would only leave you in a lot of pain and hating it completely. I’ve learnt to be patient and trust in the process.

Whilst I do love running I feel, that on it's own 4-5 times a week, it’s too much impact on the body. So even though triathlon isn’t in the forefront of my mind I'm enjoying the fact that I am cross training, mixing it up with a ride and a swim once or 2 a week; keeping it nicely balanced.

Alrighty, so 2:55hr is it … wow, baby steps (a lot of them) consistency and keeping it fun is what’s going to get me there.

live into that greatness

It’s uncanny, yet I’m not surprised that it’s been a year, nearly to the date, that I was getting prepped and psyched for the biggest day of my life to date, Ironman Melbourne 2014.  

Since that day life has continued been a non–stop journey of ups and down, and as per usual I keep finding that next challenge to elevate me and to take life to the next level.

For a good 4 months after racing Kona, I was done, mentally and physically. I didn’t want to look at my bike, the idea of a 30min run was hard work in itself and I found myself finding it hard to comprehend what I had achieved not too long ago on that deceivingly blissful, tropical island.

From 2 years of vigorous training, my body had built up imbalances in my muscles that left me with an out of aligned pelvis which my osteo so beautifully summed up when asking ‘when did you have a fall?!’ leaving me in pain on the shortest of runs.

So whilst it may have looked like I had retired from my athletic career, which at times, I myself, even thought I may have done, I was truly listening to my body. Feeding it with things that it needed and things that were right for me at that time.  Yoga, pilates, meditation, cooking classes and not living by a regimented training schedule.

So here I am a year on. I’ve gone to France to follow the Tour de Frace, to Kona to compete, or should I say survive, with the best and now I’m stepping up and building my career at lululemon, and I’m even more grateful for the life I lead than I was last year. Better yet, through all of this I have been going through the process of finding balance in life and doing things that have made me feel alive.

Just as yoga is an on going practice that never strives for perfection, I’ll always be learning and practising the divine art of drawing life toward me, always discovering those things, people and opportunities that light me up and that call me into action. This year I am up to big things; aiming to run my first marathon sub 3hr (2:55), to be the best version of myself at work and to continue to creating amazing relationship with the people who me the most to me.

For that reason I have found myself a mentor. Someone that I admire and who I know sees the greatness in me, creating a space for me to live into that greatness. That’s a powerful thing, having someone cheering for you when you yourself are finding it hard to stay focused and motivated. Just as I have a coach to elevate my training and race performance, I figured why not do the same for other areas of my life that are important to me.

Thankyou Emma for your generosity and skills to see straight into my soul, I’m so excited about what I will create this year working with you.

I learnt last year how fragile, short and fleeting life can be so why not set yourself up the best way you can to create a life you love?!

The Blue Line.

The blue line. It’s quite, it’s meditative and it’s becoming my friend. Thinking back to when I first started swimming now a year and a half ago I would have never stated such a thing! My swimming history, previous to triathlons, consisted of the novelty races a school swim carnival and a good game of Marco Polo. My mind would race a million miles, my breath would be short, and I battled. In my mind I was not a swimmer. I am proud to say now that that statement no longer exists. My swim stoke is getting stronger, I am able to clear my mind, and breathe strongly even through the harder efforts. It’s an awesome feeling to be able to turn that belief of myself onto it's head and smash it. We are all guilty of putting labels and limitations on ourselves; I can’t run, I’m not fit, I can’t save money. This enables us not to take responsibility in areas of our lives that either aren’t working, are ‘too hard’ to deal with or we just don’t wanna! The key to breaking through is action, sweet, sweet action. Taking action no matter how you feel or think. I can assure you what’s on the other side is so worth the short lived pain of whatever you have to give up – an extra 5 mins in bed, that must have bikini for next summer or that well deserved serve of schintz chips ( in my case!)

So training is back in full force with a 7 day schedule. It’s been a long time coming however this past week has been the first week of my training that A) I’ve looked forward to B) Have kept a positive mindset through all sessions C) worked hard D) got excited about what’s too come.

I’m so excited to be back in action.

This week’s game plan:

Mon – Wind trainer session 1hr

Tues – 3hr ride into /.5hr run

Wed – 2 hr ride (totally forgot I was working so this didn’t happen and I was an hour late to work) & swim squad 1hr

Thurs – 1.15hr run (20min easy – 35 solid tempo – 20mins easy) cut this a tad short to get to yin yoga

Fri – Swim set – 1.15hrs

Sat – 100min run

Sun -  4hr ride

What is an area of life that you are limiting your potential in? And more importantly what action are you going to take?! 

Life lessons

Life is, weird, crazy and beautiful. It doesn't always make sense, yet it's always creating lessons to be learned.

It's safe to say the past few months have been like no other I've experienced before. A roller coaster of life altering events have occured to the point that Ironman feels like a life time ago.

I haven't posted on here for quite some time. I got stopped. I got stopped just when things started to get interesting, challenging and hard. The all so common internal dialog prevented me to keep sharing and documenting my road to Ironman and all that was in between. I'm dissapointed that I allowed the "who's reading this, I have nothing to contribute, what do I know" get in the way of my initial intention of: "I intend to share my trials, tribulations and tips of training, my good days and the bad. I'm so far from an expert in any of this, but I hope through sharing my experiences along the way I can inspire you, maybe even igniting a spark, to go after your goals no matter how BIG or small."

Yes the last 3 months leading up to it were tough, mentally and physically. I really found it hard when people would ask me questions and say "Oh you must be so excited!" to respond in the way I thought they wanted me to. Truth was, for the most part I wasn't excited. I was doubting my ability, coming in and out of focus and interest, and questioning why the hell did I start this in the first place! No one wants to hear that, I thought. However, whilst I got stopped in sharing what was really going on for me, I am so proud that against all of that I kept the big picture in mind and got to the start line with a clear mind. For the big day I created the possibly of Strength, Determination and Joy and made damn sure I lived into it. My mind was clear from start to finish, not a negative internal dialog in sight.

From the highest of highs, crossing the infamous finish line of Ironman, smashing a year long goal, my world turned upside down and hit the rock bottom of lows within a week. One of my dearest friends, Elle, had taken her life.

I really wanted to get back into sharing via my blog now I'm on a new adventure to Kona, Hawaii for the World Championships, but how could I do that without acknowledging this. I couldn't have. For a short life, 24years, Elle live a big life. She was intelligent beyond her years, bubbly and vivacious, a true friend, and behind all of this suffering from a silent illness of her mental health. One thing that we can learn from her beautiful life, among many others, is that mental health need not be a taboo topic nor something we should be ashamed of. We all have our struggles no matter how big or small, and we all find way to deal and cope with it. In Elle's case her decision was final, but we need to respect that is was hers. I think of her daily and even though now she's gone on a trip beyond a life time, we'll still be friends for life.

It's been over 6 weeks now since Ironman, and I really haven't done a thing. Without a strong, focused mind even the thought of getting up to go for a 30mins run feels like a giant battle. But this is the turning point. I have 5 months to get into to tip top condition for Hawaii Ironman after qualifying having finished 3rd in my age group, female 25-29yr old. I haven't set my goal up for this race. Top 20 in my age group is sounding pretty good. :)

So it's begins again, new challenge, new year, let's go.

Fancy Footwork...Fun!

Vibrant community... I think so.

I was really hoping to write a post before Fancyfootwork for Hope Fun Run happened on the 19th January...mmm that didn't happen! There are seriously only so many hours in a day! haha and right now sleep is becoming somewhat of a priority.

I really wanted to share why, how and the results of my first grand scale (in my reality!) charity event. On my journey to Ironman I wanted to remain grounded and not let it totally consume me, so I decided early on that I would make this challenge bigger than me by choosing a charity to raise awareness and funds for.

Find out more about the beginnings of this adventure and the charity in my previous post, Bigger than me.

Along with raising funds and awareness for a unique cause, I wanted to create an event that would bring a vibrant community of people together, whilst being active. I'll let you in on a secret....I had no idea what I was doing, nor what I was getting myself into, but in order to make anything happen you have to put yourself and your idea out there! Before long I had rallied an amazing team around me and got the right people to see the possibility. 

Coffee - before, during and after... why not!

Registration on the day, nothing like last minute fun.

My initial conversations about hosting a fancy dress fun run were quite entertaining. Most responses were along the lines of, 'oh that's a nice idea' what they were really thinking, 'damn she's crazy and she wants me to help her out.... as if this is going to float!' Well that's what I put together from the tone of their voices :)

However once I secured the venue, Woodleigh School, got public liability and created a logo, flyer and online registration page, people were getting the jist that my team and I ment business! Before long we were in the local Leader paper and on the local airwaves RPP FM; I stuck to my word and made it happened! 

Now that's a fancy start line :)

I set my sights high: 200 people and $5500 raised! 

Our morning resulted in 60 people dressing up and galavanting past the sheep and kangaroos around the gorgeous course, and we raised an awesome $2,350 for Send Hope not Flowers!

Nothing ever 'Grand' happens when you stand alone....
this was the amazing team behind an amazing morning!

Yep I could have been down hearted with this result after setting myself such a big goal but where would that lead me? Instead I stayed in the possibility of a vibrant community whether that be 10 or 100 and for that we had an amazing morning. This whole event was beyond my wild dreams just 6 months ago. However with the support of the community, our sponsors: Woodleigh School, Trispecify, Mornington Peninsula Magazine, Lilly Belle, King Creek Hotel, Hydralyte, I Do Aircon, Coles, Main Street Mornington, and C Max Communication and a superstar team of 14 friends and family who took ownership of the event. This resulted in the transformation of a crazy possibility to an incredible reality.

We also want to make a huge shout out to Lucy and Nathan from Fraklin Coffee and thier adorable caravan for donating their Sunday morning, Daniel Wormell from Calibre Entertainment for supplying the mornings soundtrack, Start to Finish for donating an impressive Gantry and Tully's fresh fruits for donating copious amouts of oranges and apples!!

This is what it's all about, puts such a smile on my face.

It going to happen again, bigger and better! So keep and eye out for us Fancy Footwork for Hope and get your thinking caps on!! Again we couldn't have done it with out our incredible sponsors who believed in us from the get go! 

Xx

Hello Wall!

I met the wall these last 2 months. I knew it was inevitable in the lead up to Ironman, and I had an inclining that it would show it's face sometime around this time of the year.

It's safe to say that I have had on on the most full on last 2 months. Not trying to be a hero (but sort of) here is the break down of what these weeks have consisted of:

I have ventured up to Noosa and competed in the Olympic distance, road tripped to Shepparton and finished my first Half Ironman,

Morgs at the Kinglake start line

a week later covered 115km in the Kinglake ride then backing that up with a Sprint distance tri in Mordialloc,

The Trispecify Seals! At the Moordialloc sprint tri

did the cheeky colour run, then rounded it off by hitting a PB in the Susans half marathon finishing 4th overall in 1:28mins.

Alex, Myself and Mish dressed in pink, 'Doing it for the Ladies'

Running into the finish to place 4th overall

That however is just the list of event I have competed let alone the training that has surrounded that. The following weekend after the Susans half marathon I backed it up with a double 15 +/- run. For those who know the area the run loops up Olivers hill, down to Daveys bay, up canadian bay road pass Toorak collage, up Humphries road then down sweet water creek, than repaeted it in reverse, overall 27kms. This was done on the Saturday, only to be backed up on the Sunday with a 4hr ride followed by a 45min run!

I'm buggered just thinking about all I have covered. For the most part I have bounced back, the body not suffering too much. However, the mind has been a completely different story. Not getting adequate sleep, and not focusing on the right nutrition, at this level of training really started to take a toll. A mental toll. It was on this weekend of training that I began to question what the hell I was doing, what was it all for, why am I doing this, I can't do it. Not only did this effect my training, it effect all aspects of my life. Work became hard, I lost interest in maintaining my blog (obviously!) I just wasn't functioning well at all.

Fast forwarding. It's January, fresh year, fresh start ... only 11 weeks till Ironman! and 100% of my training left to do. This last week I have focused on my nutrition. My boyfriend Morgan is also training for Ironman this year. After his experience last year, which left him in hospital with gastritis, he now sees a nutritionist and has curbed his lifestyle and training around being Vegan.

I am learning so much from him and I'm now experimenting with what works best for me. Gosh there is so much information, theories, facts, faux fact, floating around out there when it come to nutrition, it's confusing. So my approach is to be mindful with my food, considering I am asking so much of my body it's only right that moving forward I think twice about what it is that my body really needs. To date, I really haven't respected this fact and the last month of hitting the wall is a result of that.

A beautiful still morning as we set off for 6hrs on the bike.

Training is seriously moving to another level. This last weekend saw me riding for 6hrs, the longest I have ever been in the saddle, and I felt great. Seriously, I got a good sleep, ate a big dinner before hand and had a hearty breakfast of quinoa, quinoa flakes, rice milk, berries, banana, honey heated up in a saucepan. It's delish and set me up perfectly for the day. Out on the ride I took bananas, dates, and clif bars and drank water and hydraltye. We rode 4 hours through the Danadenongs which was magical, the hill climbs were tough however the S- Works Amria handled them perfectly with a 27 ring on the back (I had no idea but I have a few extra gears that a few other people which made is easier for me to spin).

The real challenge was when we got back to Berwick and headed out to Tooradin in the strongest head wind I think I have fought. Perfect experience if last years Ironman is any indication of what we may face.

So yep I've hit the wall, jumped over it and have come back stronger. I'm so sure another wall is not too far away however I'm now mindful of that along with a few other things, so I just may be better prepared :)






 

Holy Shep!

Heading to set up my gear in transition.

The swim in the lake was like flailing about in a big cappuccino. As soon as your head was submerged it was lights out and quite confronting. In our practice swim on Saturday, the dark water literally took my breath away. I hadn't swum in anything like it before.

I was considerably calm trending water before the siren went come race day. Knowing what I was in for help somewhat. I really hadn't given this race a whole lot if attention in the lead up. I was still on a high from Noosa. To be honest I would have loved to have stayed focused on getting quicker at the olympic distance. That, as well as organising a charity fun run 'Fancy Footwork for Hope' (a post about this exciting new project is on it's way!) didn’t leave much room to think about doing a half ironman!

Since Noosa my training had been light, easy T2 runs and rides with a tough swim squad session in between. It has taken me a whole year to grasp the concept of T2 ' easy' training session; much to my coach’s dismay. I don't know about you, but in my former years (without a wise, knowledgeable coach that is) I had created the notion that in order to ‘gain’ or ‘improve’ I had to go hard or go home. This is what led to my yo-yoing interest in running over the last 6 years. I’d hit it hard everyday for 2-3 weeks and then crash and burn. I’d then not do anything for a month or so only to start from square one, like a bull at a gate, all over again.

On my flight to Noosa whilst reading Rich Roll’s ‘Finding Ultra’; an amazing tale of a man who had a life changing wake up call in his mid 40’s. In it, he speaks of the importance of T2 training, which is all about ‘building the efficiency of the aerobic, “go all day” system. I was with Rich when he reluctantly said “…if all I do is go slow, how will I ever get fast?” Clinton has told me this several times, but it never really sinking in. As an endurance athlete it is curtail that we really value the T2 session and avoid training in the ‘grey zone.’ The ‘ grey zone’ is where your hard work falls short of the intensity to build speed, yet exceeds the required effort to develop the aerobic system. As Rich Roll found out, it’s the ‘most common mistake made by amateur endurance athletes.’

So having not run anything near 21kms in weeks and really focusing on T2 training in the 2 weeks after Noosa it’s safe to say I had no inkling of how I was going to perform come race day.

The siren went and it was limbs galore as was all took off on the swim; beginning what would end up being a 5:03hr effort. This was something I have never attempted before. I was short of breath as soon as we started. Adrenalin, anxiousness and excitement, combined with being knocked about unintentionally left me unable to get into a rhythm until well into the swim. I stop to yell 'let go of my leg!' as we rounded a buoy, a hand griped my ankle, a phantom swimmer in the dark water pulled me back. Dramatic I know, but it was at that point I thought 'what the hell have I gotten my self into?!' Once I had calmed down and gotten my rhyme I felt a lot more comfortable. Well as comfortable as you can feel in a full-length wetsuit, in a murky brown lake, surrounded by bodies that you accidentally collide with every now and then. I made sure I kept popping my head up to sight the next buoy and that I was constantly passing more people than those passing me. Once I was in the zone, I then got a surprise when the swim exit quickly appeared.

It's such a confidence booster reaching transition, it's like a mini celebration of one leg finishing for only the next to begin. Running up the swim exit shute I was engulfed by the cheering and encouragement from the sea of blue on the side lines. The Trispecify and MPTC supporters were out in fource! I looked at my watch, 36mins and ticking, that’s not too bad. 

A speedy transition saw me out on the bike under 2 mins. Then reality hit, ‘how on earth will I be able to keep race pace up for a whole 90kms?!’ As this was a morning of first, setting out on the bike was an unknown. I have never sat on a bike for 90kms in one straight go, not stopping for lights or cars, and having to keep my mind in a race pace zone. All I know was that I had to get my nutrition and hydration right in order to have a chance of a killer run. Eat on the half hour (I had 3 clif gels and 2 clif bars) and take a drink ever 1km. I had set my Garmin to track the time of every 1km cover. This turned out to be a curtail tool to stay on top of hydration. It is so easy to get caught up in thoughts of racing or working through the pain and forget to drink regularly. 

The bike isn’t my strongest leg by far, but I’m working on that. It has developed with the aid of my trusty Speacialized, S-Work, Amira and has improved five fold from 12 months ago when I first began. However being one of the first waves out, leaving 7mins behind the pros, I prepared myself to be overtaken…a lot! I set out with a good pace and my goal was to hold that, I was clicking 1;50min kms and this was a great mind game to keep within this time frame, especially when it got tough. The road was dead flat; the wind was minimal, perfect riding conditions. The back roads of Shepparton aren’t completely seal and on the second lap of the 45km course, I felt every single bump and vibration! 

I was slightly nervous when I approached my first aid station where I need to refuel with a new drink bottle of electrolytes. You first had to though away your empty bottle in to a trailer with a target board on the back; I like the novelty yet I was way off a bulls eye! Then you call out to the fabulous volunteers what it was you wanted, water, electrolytes or coke. As they ran along side you, you whisk the bottle from their hand and away you go. My goal was to get through 4 bottles 2 x water and 2 x electrolytes, which I completed very successfully. 

half way turn around, 45kms to go!

Again I got such a buzz coming back into town to the turn around for the second lap; to hear a roar of cheering and my name being called out from our teams supporters was amazing. I tried to savor it, as I knew from then on I was going to be out on my own for 45kms in a lot of pain. It didn’t take long before girls who looked to be in my age group were passing with what looked like ease. It was then that it became a mind game to stay positive, to stay focused and to stay committed to the cause. In order to not get down about being overtaken on the bike, I focused on the run, noting everyone that passed me and playing a game as to how quickly I thought I could find them on the run! 

Riding back in to transition was a huge relief, there were times out on the ride that my butt was so sore I could have screamed and when my little legs just couldn’t push any harder or faster! I passed my isle only to do a quick u-turn, rack my bike and switched my helmet for my visor. I chose to put socks on for this run, as at the end of the 10km at Noosa, little blisters where starting to form. And with that I took off out onto the run with a huge smile on my dial! Getting a boost once again from our fabulous band of supporters. I was so happy that the hardest part was over; the run is what I can do. I always surprise myself when I first set out on a run after a ride. My first km clocked in round 4:06mins. Not a sustainable pace but an awesome way to kick off the next 20kms. 

Keeping pace, having a clear mind seriously helps.

I had bought a gel race belt the day before at the expo. It was the best thing I could have done. In the little pouch I stored 2 gels and took another one when I first set out. The run course, like the ride course was quite flat. It took us around the lake and then out along a tree lined path. The shade was a great break from the mid-day heat. As coach had suggested, I took 2 cups of water from every aid station one to drink the other to pour on the top of my head. It worked a treat. I stayed fresh on the run and really utilised the good old, ‘passing on the left’ and ‘coming through on the right,’ and I forged my way through the crowd of weary bodies. I new I was making good time when by the last lap of the 7km run course I was holding 4:25min – 4:35mins kms. A 5-hour finish was in my sight but I had to keep up this steady pace. Having this now as a realistic goal to reach enabled me to stay strong, I was starting to hurt now, and was really digging deep to keep my focus. My body and my mind were now starting to fatigue and wander. I find the best way to keep my self-motivated is by motivating other. Yes, I’m that person out on the track encouraging those who are starting to drop off and panting ‘good work’ as I run along side others.

Running back around the lake for the last time, I got my last wind of energy. Across the water I could see the finish line and hear the commentator congratulating each athlete as they crossed the line. I couldn’t get there quick enough! I looked down just as I ran over Michelle’s chalk message on the path, ‘Madeline Lucas #1’ that put a smile on my face. Finally I was running into the finishing shute, our faithful supporters in blue still cheering from the side lines. That 4:30hrs of cheering from when they first boosted my spirits out of the water! 

Inspiring team mates, Bethan and Deb

I crossed the line in 5:03:16. 

What an achievement, I had not only survived, but powered through to the end of my first half Ironman. I couldn’t have been more happy 

Love the sea of blue, awesome support on and off the course :)

I gave it a Tri at Noosa



view from our apartment on picture point cres, 
noosa...dreamy



I had a ball up at Noosa! Like all good things, it came to an end all too soon. I loved energy up there, it was incredible. To compete in a race that draws the likes of champions, Emma Moffatt claimed womens elite 1st place, it wasn't too hard to get caught up in the 'Tri' fever that filled the balmy air. So many fit bodies, so much lycra and so much fun. And for an event of such a grand scale, close to 8,000 people over the weekends festivities, it was run so well.

Unlike Geelong I was nervous in the lead up to this first race of the season. Setting higher standards for myself and with it being the first race I've competing in since moving up age group, 25-29, my goal was to finish in the top 20. My first goal however was to successful make it to Noosa with bike box and all arriving in one piece at the other end, I wasn't nervy at all! 

all packed up and ready to roll

Due to the scale of this event, the day before the race, transition is open to drop your bike off. Coach Clinton gave the best tip of positioning your bike close to an end. This ensured in the sea of bikes and in a slight haze of coming out of the swim come race day, you wont lose your bike (trust me I've lost my bike before in transition, it happen so easily if you don't pay attention as to where you drop it, and you look/feel like such a fool!) I got poll position, on far end from the swim entrance, yet right next to the run exit; there I set my bike up in row 46.

Transition before engulfed with bikes

prime position

PRE RACE PREP - In preparation the Trispecify team got together the day before to trial both the swim course and the bike course. Unlike any previous swim I have done, this was a non wetsuit swim (this occurs when the water temp is 24 degrees+) It was also a canal swim meaning we started treading water between two buoys not nerve racking at all! To make matters worse a sea snake was lerking around the morning of the race delaying the elite start, thank god I was oblivious to this. I felt great in our practice swim, I focused on controlling my breathing and taking long, full strokes. The current is tidal in the canal which meant it was hard to predict what it would be doing on Sunday morning; the tip of the day was to sit in the middle with the current and hug the far side against it. 



the swim saw us past some of Noosa most luxury real estate!



It was awesome to head out on the bike course as well. This not only got us familiar with the feel of the road, it also took us up the infamous, hill climb. This stage of the race is timed separately, within the ride component, to time the quickest ascent and therefor the King of the Hill. Coach Clinton got the 7th fast time up the hill overall on raceday! So impressive. I so glad we covered this in our trial ride, not knowing what was ahead on race day may have seen me conservatively hitting it. With the acquired knowledge I felt much more confident that I would be able to hit the hill hard knowing what was to come. Another great time from Clinton was to push out of the top of the hill onto the flat, this is were alot of people sit back and take it easy after the climb. So to power out is a great advantage. Let finish the ride course saying this climb was nothing compared to Arthurs Seat!

 

coach proudly wearing, riding and breathing the trispecify blue!

RACE DAY - It was a 4:30am wake up! Amazingly my body clock was up before my alarm. Firstly thing, double check that I had everything I had packed the night before; runners, visor, cleats, helmet, race belt with bib attached, towel, gels, water bottles, I think that's it. As soon as I walk out the door I knew I had forgotten something, bike pump! Slightly important as we let our tyres down the previous day when you drop the bikes off in transition to ensure they don't expand in the heat and pop!

My age group wave was the last of the individuals to head off, not starting until 9am. Even with such a late start I had to get down early to set up all my kit next to my bike before transition closes at 6am, ready for the elites who started at 6:15am. So with thousands of weary yet excited athletes, I headed to transition. Along with all your kit you also need to ensure you have your age group coloured swim cap, timing chip and number tattoos (on your body). Once in transition I pumped up my tires, lay out all my kit next to my bike and check it several times of course! I borrowed electrical tape from the guys beside me to tape my energy gels to the frame of my bike for easy taking whilst out on the ride. Oh gosh, we heard several POPS! of tyres, and with only minutes until transistion closes, everyone in the exit line cringed with each explosion. "Thank god that wasn't me" we were all thinking.

With 3 hours to kill before my started I headed back to Deb's apartment with Judith, Ben, Rob and Smithy to relax, try to at least, and watch a moive. I set my family up with the Subaru tracker so they could follow my every stage, we swapped nutrition straegies and attempeted not to freak one another out! 

kit all ready to go

the subaru tracker was awesome for my family and friends
to watch my performance from afar  

transition was chockers, so much $$$$$ sitting in there

it was a mass exit as transition closed on race day

Not wanting to be late to the start, I heading down with half an hour to go. This time flies! The river bank was buzzing and the river it self was alive with a myrid of coloured caps, with wave after wave setting off to the sound of an air horn. Before I knew it I was treading water, chating to the girls beside me, wishing them luck, then hooooot!

Head down and go. I started up the front but before we made it to the 100m bouy, the lead group was streaking ahead. I built up a strong ryhthm from the get go and paced my breathing every third stroke. My focus was to keep good form, long straight stokes, pushing back all the way and popping my head up regulary to sight the next bouy so I didn't swim off course. It didn't take me long to catch the back of the waves that set out before us. With each passing, I gain more confidence and strength. I did have to keep reminding myself I was in a race each time I uncounsiously backed off to "reserve my energy!" It's the best feeling having the swim exit insight, this is the time were you get your head in the space ready to get into transition quick smart and get on the bike. Your legs feel a bit like jelly when you get out of the water to run, yet not wearing a wetsuit made the world of difference.

exiting the swim, getting my focus on...

Running to transtion I just kept repeating "row 46, row 46...". Loving the fact that I had my bike in a prime position, I wasted not time finding it, putting my helmet on, followed by my cleats, downing a gel and running with my bike to the exit. I haven't yet mastered the running into the mount so it's a quick stop whilst I just on, click in my cleats and up out of the saddle pushing hard to get a quick take off. I knew from my training that having my Specialized S-Works Amira was going to dramatically improve my ride. From the get go it worked with me the whole way, the take of was powerful, the handing was seamless and the ride was so smooth. 

I came out of the swim 23, (obviously I don't know this on the day) but I got a good indication that I had a bit of work to do with each 'H' tattoo I passed. Side note: for every age group you get a letter, this is tattoo you place on the back of your calf, this allows you to see who you are up against when you're out on the road. I had a great ride out to the hill climb, I passed several 'H' girls, ensured I have a bit to drink and kept pushing. I caught up to a 'H' Tri Alliance girl, we bunny hopped for a while passing one another. I like to check out what gear they are riding in and what cadence they have, and try to match/beat it :) 'Nice riding" I said her after a while, we where practically in sync. It wasn't untill the hill climb that I lost her. Up the hill I kept a low gear, with a high cadence and gave it my all. Only to keep passing my 'H' girl. 'This is going really well, keep pushing' I kept telling my self. Powering out of the hill I was feeling strong, 27km to go, 'I can do this.' I only came across one other girl that I rode with for a while before I lost her, other than that I just kept making ground. 

on the drops coming into the final stage of the ride

The crowd lines the streets coming back into transition. The energy is amazing and the buzz of the cheering gives you such a boost of energy. Again it was time to get my head in the space of a quick transition and a 10km run! by now it was close to 31 degrees, nothing like the conditions we've had back at home. 'This is going to tough, keep a quick pace, it's only 10kms' yep lost of self talk happens during a race :) I had a smooth dismount and a long run in my cleats to my transition spot. Next goal is to dismount with my shoe off, running in cleats is no fun at all! Rack my bike, take of my helmet and shoes. On goes my race belt, visor and by not wearing sock I lined the rim of my runner with vasiline and slide my feet in. And away I go! Your legs feel like jelly out of the swim, off the bike it feels a little more like lead! Quick, small steps took me out of transition and down the run shoot. The crowd must be 5 bodies deep, amazing! I headed out with a water bottle, I made the mistake of only taking 1 drink bottle of Powerade. This was too sweet for me on the ride and left my even more thirsty. 

doing it tough in the heat

I couldn't keep a steady pace on the run, keeping it hovering around 4:15mins to 4:30mins per km. My body felt heavy and I used every aid station to take on more water. My goal we to match my 41min run from Geelong. I knew from the half way mark that I wasn't going to make it however that didn't dishearten me. The sprinklers and the people with hoses made the run fun and I encouraged those who looked like they needed it. I gave it my all in the last 2km's, it's such a strange feeling at the end, your body is buggered, and at the same time you just want to fly to the finish line! Running across the line you hear your name called out, and it's over! I bent over to catch my breath, then headed to the showers that lined the exit of the course. Such a great way to end it!!

Over all I took of 3mins from my pervious 

olympic distance time and came in 9th 

out of 150 girl in my age group. 

Making the top 10! Amazing.

The Witsup girls and the panel

Rubbing shoulder with some of our best;
L-R Emma Jackson, Liz Blatchford, Moi,
Emma Snowsil, Charlotte McShane

To finish up what was such a fun, successful weekend away, I attended the WITSUP (Women in triathlon) partnered with Specialized brunch. It was an amazing opportunity to meet some of Australia's finest female triathletes, ask them questions and hear them speak in a panel environment. 

I don't know if you could pick it, but I love racing. I love putting all the hard work from training to use, to strive to better your time and to challenge yourself physically and mentally. After this race I really would love to keep at olympic distance races however I've set myself a goal of Ironman, so form now, until March at least, it's going to be longer and slower. My first taste of this is next weekend at Shepparton when I set out to conquer my first half Ironman! I look forward to sharing that experience with you. Until then dream big and take action. It's all in the action.

Maddy xx