This weekend, the triathon world revolves around one small stretch of coast land in Northern Queensland and one phrase is continually echoed over the various social media outlets:
The massive festival, the warm weather and water temperatures that leave you wandering if your wetsuit will be required (or even legal to use) and the sheer spectacle of the thing is amazing - as I am lead to believe.
Unfortunately, with such a popular event, you need to be quick on the button to secure your spot, and you have to do this almost 12 months in advance. It also helps to have the entrance fee handy, this part was my downfall last year. Oh well, someone's got to keep the home fires burning! (especially when Melbourne turns on its cool charm)
So, news closer to home, the first race of my season is almost here. It doesn't seem too long ago I was filling out this dance card and the time has just flown by since. Yes, I have been pretty consistent with my training and a good hit out at the Melbourne Marathon and Genovese Kinglake ride confirmed the body has held up over the build and pre season training blocks. However, it is still a little bit of a surprise that the music is about to begin already, Shepparton is just over two weeks away.
I am looking forward to this rematch, actually. Last year I arrived as a long course first timer, full of nerves but brimming with confidence. When the "gun" went of and I got under way from the deep water start the nerves disappeared. Out of the water in good time and onto the bike for my favourite part of the race, everything was humming. Off the bike and into transition for the last time, the confidence disappeared. Running out of transition I discovered my knees no longer seemed to bend. Confused, and a little worried, I pressed on, trying to warm into some form. Perhaps just 2km into the 21.1 required was where the muscle cramping began and I was reduced to walking. For the next two hours, 45 minutes I worked my way around the run course three times, running when able, walking when not, with one eye on the clock and just constantly moving forward. I had considered trying to break my half marathon PB with this run, now I was just trying to beat the cut-off time. After a solid start and with the bulk of the work done, I had been undone due to a lack of nutrition on-board.
About four months later, at Portarlington, I took on a similar distance race but on possibly a more hilly course. Despite my spectacular dismount, this time I had leant my lesson, and ran out the entire 20km course. I did slow towards the end yet did not walk, did not break.
Another year wiser, game on!
Good luck to all those racing this weekend, may you race hard and stay safe, remember to enjoy, thank the volunteers, high-five the kids and, most importantly, zip up your race suit for the photo!
Noosa Baby!
The massive festival, the warm weather and water temperatures that leave you wandering if your wetsuit will be required (or even legal to use) and the sheer spectacle of the thing is amazing - as I am lead to believe.
Unfortunately, with such a popular event, you need to be quick on the button to secure your spot, and you have to do this almost 12 months in advance. It also helps to have the entrance fee handy, this part was my downfall last year. Oh well, someone's got to keep the home fires burning! (especially when Melbourne turns on its cool charm)
So, news closer to home, the first race of my season is almost here. It doesn't seem too long ago I was filling out this dance card and the time has just flown by since. Yes, I have been pretty consistent with my training and a good hit out at the Melbourne Marathon and Genovese Kinglake ride confirmed the body has held up over the build and pre season training blocks. However, it is still a little bit of a surprise that the music is about to begin already, Shepparton is just over two weeks away.
I am looking forward to this rematch, actually. Last year I arrived as a long course first timer, full of nerves but brimming with confidence. When the "gun" went of and I got under way from the deep water start the nerves disappeared. Out of the water in good time and onto the bike for my favourite part of the race, everything was humming. Off the bike and into transition for the last time, the confidence disappeared. Running out of transition I discovered my knees no longer seemed to bend. Confused, and a little worried, I pressed on, trying to warm into some form. Perhaps just 2km into the 21.1 required was where the muscle cramping began and I was reduced to walking. For the next two hours, 45 minutes I worked my way around the run course three times, running when able, walking when not, with one eye on the clock and just constantly moving forward. I had considered trying to break my half marathon PB with this run, now I was just trying to beat the cut-off time. After a solid start and with the bulk of the work done, I had been undone due to a lack of nutrition on-board.
About four months later, at Portarlington, I took on a similar distance race but on possibly a more hilly course. Despite my spectacular dismount, this time I had leant my lesson, and ran out the entire 20km course. I did slow towards the end yet did not walk, did not break.
Another year wiser, game on!
Good luck to all those racing this weekend, may you race hard and stay safe, remember to enjoy, thank the volunteers, high-five the kids and, most importantly, zip up your race suit for the photo!
No comments:
Post a Comment