October Update- NTA & Hong Kong Asian Cup Race

Hi Guys,

Sorry it's been a while. It has been a busy winter for me, head down bum up working towards some big goals!  Some ticked off and a few hopefully around the corner over the next 6-12 months.

One big box ticked was my acceptance last month into the AIS & Triathlon Australia - National Talent Academy (NTA). Something i worked hard to achieve through automatic selection criteria, which involved fulfilling numerous criteria based around: strong swim, bike & run ability, endurance ability, skill sets, mental strength, family and home environment, coach-able & potential to produce "performances" in the near but distant future.

I highlight "Performances" as these are  classified as Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and ITU World Triathlon Series Podium Positions & Gold Medals, not bad hey. For me that is the ultimate dream down the long path of highs & lows along the way of this adventure.

Ultimately selection comes down to meeting the National performance standards for your age over a 1km swim & 5km run. For me, turning 21 this year these meant meeting a 12:26 swim & 16:52 run time, or in other words 93% of the current World best (100%) standards for Elite Women.
I was over the moon to tick this box & couldn't have done it without the help, guidance and hard work of my home coach Mick Delamotte and my squad coached under Mick, HPT- High Performance Tri. Along with the constant love & backing of my family, friends & sponsors; HPT, University of Sydney SURF Elite Athlete Program, Avantiplus Narrabeen, Catfish Designs, & Le Bent.

This doesn't impact too much for me day to day, but means I will have the support 7 access to top support networks, coaches, facilities, services, and other NTA athletes provided to me by the NTA program & its key sponsors, something i look forward to being a part of into 2016.

http://www.triathlon.org.au/elite/the_national_talent_academy_programme.htm



Last month I also traveled over to Hong Kong with 2 other professional athletes and close friends from HPT. We traveled over to race in the Hong Kong Asian Continental Cup Event.
http://www.triathlon.org/events/event/2015_hong_kong_astc_sprint_triathlon_asian_cup

Having raced here last year i was looking forward to travelling back for another shot, made easier with the hospitable and amazing long time family friends who live over in Hong Kong and were king enough to give me a room for the week, home cooked vego meals, and some cheering support on race day- priceless when away from home racing!

Hong Kong was hot & humid, but arriving with plenty of time to settle in we were lucky enough to get to see some of the top sights HK has to offer!!!

But a few days out i unfortunately caught a nasty bug & came down with  flu like symptoms & a lower chest infection, never ideal, especially going into a race where the competition was going to be hot!! Pushing on with a job to do and nothing more i could do than, rest, sleep, hydrate & eat well i did my best to perform on the day & overall I'm very happy with how i raced & the outcome. Walking away with 4th among competitive World Triathlon Series (WTS) athletes and recent World Cup winners.

http://www.triathlon.org/results/result/2015_hong_kong_astc_sprint_triathlon_asian_cup/272010

The swim pace was there from the start, feeling the most average i felt all day in the water I got knocked about a little more than I'm used to & enjoyed this exposure to a field of stronger swimmers, sharpening up my skills and reminding me that Good is the enemy to Great!! Coming out of the water in second with a look behind to see we would potentially have a solid front pack for the ride. The pace remained on the bike & some of the less experienced/ weaker riders soon dropped off on the hilly & reasonably technical course.

Rolling turns with the usual hustle & bustle for those not taking their fair turn & by the time i knew it we were off the bike and onto the run.

 Feeling confident easing into it i took the lead & started to pull away from our pack of us 4 runners left!

 At this point you always get a little boost, it came & faded the back end of the run & my bug i was carrying along became noticeable as i faded back in the field. With a close finish of 30 seconds separating 1st to 4th (for a Conti Cup). I was pleased and happy to finish in 4th. taking away many development lessons and skills to go away and work on before the next one. Plus some handy World Ranking Points to move me up the ladder and the prize money never goes astray!!

Up next, its back home to recover and kick this nasty bug ( a night flight at the back of the plane never helps) before getting ready to go again the end of this month in the Hamilton Island Triathlon & my last Continental Cup for the year - Pariaman in Indonesia for another Asian Cup.

Thanks again for all the support & congratulatory messages over the last month. Bring on an exciting November!! (did i mention i'm turning 21.... Woohoo!!)

X Em.

Mauritius African Continental Cup 2015

Hamjambo/ Bonjour/  Hello,

 

One of the many joys of travel, trying to pick up bits & pieces of languages along the way. For me this time round it was Swahili in the majority of Africa, French in the tropical paradise Mauritius, &  if all else fails most can handle the basic English!

It's been awhile since my last blog entry but after what was the trip of a lifetime to Africa at the start of June I figured I better get back to it! Mixing business with pleasure, I was going over in the best form I had ever hit, it was all about the execution! Still pretty stoked, able to steal the win & coming away with the win in the 2015 African ITU Continental Cup in Le Morne Mauritius, just what I needed!

Heading off with mixed emotions having just lost my Beautiful Ma, I didn't know what to think! This wasn't how I pictured my lead up... But that’s life for you! Missing the services and being away from my family knowing what we were all going though was tough but there was no question, my Ma would have been furious if I didn't go!

I'm starting to think my mum was right with the idea of sticking with swimming, a cap and goggles, that's it! There's something about a bike, it just gets lost. Somehow flying from Sydney- Perth and Perth into Mauritius my Bike bag filled with my entire luggage was sent to Dubai... With only 2 flights in per week to the small island bliss of Mauritius I was worried....

The locals weren't though, they didn't seem to get a mountain bike wouldn't quite cut it!

And as the saying , "it's who you know, not what you know" goes it served me right again! Mick had somehow managed to find an ex HPT athletes, sisters race bike that I could borrow, half way across the world! How's that for global support & coach contacts!

Needless to say my Avanti Corsa DR Di2 Race bike and ALL the excess baggage weight in it turned up the eve of the race, nothing broken (thank goodness) I was good to go! With a relaxed atmosphere surrounding it I was so pumped for this one, I was racing with the fire in my belly and I wasn't going to give in the win without a good fight!

 The race was situated in the INCREDIBLE Le Morne Peninsula, a spot I couldn't have dreamt any better if I tried! With endless palm trees, crystal clear blue water, white sand, a surreal mountain backdrop, delicious buffets & activities to die for like; Les 7 Cascades, Swimming with a pod of about 100 dolphins, galloping along the beaches horse riding and swimming the horses along the beach (post ride of course.....) with the added massage, SUP, waterski and sunbake post race too, it was a dream! I think the whole family will want to come "watch" me next year....

Race day, 7/6/15, arrived - 25 degrees in the water and only a few degrees warmer out! The swim was an ocean swim along the foreshore of the peninsular with the coral reef to offer a little glimpse of distraction during the race (yes this place was real). With a short and sharp 6 lap bike course, before finishing with a 2 lap flat and fast run to finish.

Pre race I was feeling pumped, with so so (**No do not delete repeated word**) much support from everyone back home I was just ready to go and smash it out. The usual hustle and bustle off the start, before settling in next to Marie Rabie from South Africa, an Olympic and Comm Games Athlete. We worked together to push away and come out of the water with a sufficient lead hopping on the bike!

Pushing the pace through the first few laps, hitting the turns & gathering an idea on how the race will play out! Seeing how far back the chase pack was from us, I knew it would come down to a run race between Marie Rabie and I, backing myself to be up for the battle having come into some great run form leading into the race. Making sure I hit transition first, to get out any slight advantage I could, we soon were onto the Money leg! Side by side for the first 1.25km straight I pulled away early feeling good before being raked back in by Marie, taking notice of her breathing and form I could tell she was fatigued and breathing much heavier than myself, my bet on myself just went up!

Coming back to the half way mark I surged again to pull away but this time Marie didn’t follow, the rubber band stretched, getting some local cheers of support at the turn around I got to see the lead I had, of about 50m, my momentum gained and I pushed hard for the next 1.25km to increase the lead & snap the rubber band, it worked! Turning around at the far end with 1.25km elf tot go, I could see the approx. 400m lead I had over Marie & the rest of field following, I was confident, smiling from ear to ear! Making sure I soaked up every second, enjoying that final home stretch moment, because lets face it you never know when the next one will come, and every athlete needs that scenario playback on those tough grinding weeks of training!

Crossing that line in first with my first Big Continental Cup win & Getting up on that Dias at the top position, I wanted to bottle that feeling up!

Having the privilege of singing the Aussie anthem watching the Australian flag being raised for the first time is something I'll always remember, despite my attempt to drink the rest of my champagne after the Iconic champagne showers on the podium… only to find out it was non alcoholic #athletelife!!

 A big spoonful of self belief (not to mention reinforcement from Mick, fellow athletes, family and friends) really does go a long way!! And as they say, it's 80% mental and 20% physical in this sport! I was so proud of myself, I had dared to dream, gone out and done it and not only that but I had been able to do it for my Ma! That last lap of the run, I had a little birdy on my shoulder bringing me home with a massive smile ear to ear!

Blessed with the opportunity to go on from Mauritius and explore Africa solo, I was able to let this race really sink in! From here I headed onto South Africa spending time in Johannesburg, opening my eyes to a new side of life, before traveling onto the Okavango Delta in Botswana for an INCREDIBLE 21st present, a horseback African Safari (Thankyou Mum & Dad), and then Zimbabwe and Zambia for some of my kind of “Relaxing” aka. Bungy Jumping, Microlight flight and a Swim at the edge of Victoria Falls! The trip of a lifetime!!

 Now, I'm settling back into a base phase after a week away with the HPT U/23, & Junior squad at the beautiful olden day country town of Mudgee, where the cafes have to outsource more milk after we walk in looking for 20 skim milkshakes!!! With some super cold weather but plenty of cycling to keep us warm!! A great kick starter camp run by Mick with some great planning. So excited for what's to come over the next few months leading into a big 2016 on the cards!!!

Maisha marefu/  à votre santé/  Cheers!

X. Em

Wollongong OTU & National Elite Sprint Championships

 Hello again!

Kicking off from where I last left, after the Devonport OTU Continental Champs, it was nice to settle into a solid little block of training at home, back in God’s Country on the Northern Beaches, starting Autumn with some big swell around and the weather gods on our side!!

I had a fun little weekend racing, using it to sharpen up on some skills leading into the next few big races, with the annual Richie walker Aquathon run by Cronulla Triathlon club, on Saturday the 28/4/15 and the Freshwater Barney Mullins 1.5km Ocean Swim on Sunday.

The Richie walker Aquathon had its 29th anniversary, an event that holds a strong legacy left by Richie with the work of his parents and the club, who would have been 50 this year. He tragically passed away from a heart attack while racing in a triathlon event while only 21 years of age, a blunt reminder for everyone to be aware of their heart health!! 

 (Madi Q.)

Every penny raised for the event goes directly to the Australian Heart foundation, a truly special event and I was very proud to earn my spot on the trophy that holds names such as Chris “Macca” McCormack & Craig Alexander. Coming away with the overall female in in the 1km swim/5km cross-country run. Even better having my best mate, Madi Quinn, & younger sister, Meg, come along to be my cheer squad bright and early on a Saturday morning… no bribes needed.. with Madi capturing some epic shots for me, (with just a few below) pity I had to trip over on lap 1 of the run (true cross country style) and face plant getting dirt all over myself.... Something only I could do…

 (Madi Q.)

Sunday's 1.5km Ocean swim race saw a perfect chance to show off my favourite Catfish Designs Swimwear with some good friends down at the race!

Catfish have supported me for years and are my number 1 pick for swimmers if your after a one or two piece cossie, or speedos that will; look fabulous, feel comfortable and fast, last forever and all at a reasonable price look no further than here - http://catfishdesigns.com.au/home

A well run even, it was great to push the pace with the boys, and get back into the surf for some ocean racing.

The week flew past with some solid training sessions, my first week of uni (100% attendance... that won’t last…) catch ups with old friends, food dates (not all on my lonesome.....) mixed in with the usual acupuncture, chiro and Physio and a beautiful fat horse to be ridden!

I headed down to Wollongong Saturday morning for the Wollongong OTU & National Elite Sprint Championships on Sunday. A place I’m coming to know very well, without any complaints! Elites briefing ran quick (yahoo), and then followed the usual pre race prep set, crust pizza yummo, and a good movie, this time Mrs Doubtfire was on TV, look no further than the cherished Robbie Williams.

Race day saw a 10.30 am start for the Elite men and a 11.30 am start for us women, with the course taking over the harbour side streets of Wollongong, over the sprint distance; 750m/20km/5km. Fast and furious, with little room for errors!

My freakishly similar, sister from another mister, Tanya made the trip down to be there to cheer me on, and was one of the gang by the afternoon.… Yes all while my family were up at our second home on the mid North coast at Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse with their feet up… tut tut haha!! I also of course had coach Mick Delamotte on site, along with local coach Symon Astley, Pete Clifford, and some great training buddies from HPT to make sure little went un noticed…

Race start time and the swim went off quick as it always does with the likes of superfish Danielle De Francesco! I got settled in and lined up with the first buoy, a little off Dani. Turning the last buoy leading what was to be the lead pack of 5 girls going out onto the ride behind Dani. With a long transition it was out onto the bike course; 3 quick laps with a tough hill and decent each lap up just to add a bit of fire to the legs!

Our front pack soon merged to be 6; 3 Aussies, 2 Canadian and a Hungarian. The pack was charging with lots of chat ... some Yelling... and everyone was clear we were there to work hard and not let the big chase pack make up ANY ground on us! By the third lap we had about 1:20 on them, from around 50 seconds to start with!

Off the bike, with a speedy t2, & it was off onto the 1 lap run along the water edge before hitting the dead grass, with sky divers landing around us (.. umm me please). The legs felt like they were dead heading out on that run course, but I didn't get disheartened and put it aside and just kept tapping away. Aiming to hold the gap that had emerged between me and the other girls ahead, with the 2 Canadians; Kretz & Brault, taking off like a rocket on the start of the run.

As the run progressed, I found my legs and they found their rhythm, and I was in for a battle on the way home to make up some time on the girls ahead. A line dad had sent me a few weeks earlier popped into my head and did its job to help finish off a tough hit out!

Overall I finished 5th across the line in the Oceania cup triathlon, with the first 3 spots going to the Canadians, Kretz & Brault and then Vanek the Hungarian rounding it out, before the first Aussies Nat van Coevorden came across in 4^th. As the OTU Conti Cup Race doubled as the Australian Elite Sprint Championships I had earned myself a Silver Medal in the Australian Sprint triathlon championship as well as a silver In the U/23 Aussie sprint championships. I was over the moon to be the second Aussie home and get up on that podium, whilst being able to share it with such a great friend, Tanya!!

No better feeling than walking away after a race with a bunch of pride, growth, lessons learnt, and confidence built, all ready to put into action for the next one!

 A few days to reset and turn around before it’s off to Mooloolaba for the OTU continental cup event up there, an Olympic distance race, the second for the season! No doubt it will be hot, humid and extremely tough as Mooloolaba always is, but I couldn't think of too many nicer places to spend a long weekend racing than the Sunshine Coast, with beautiful family friends to catch up with and getting to take my gorgeous “Supa” mum away with me for her first race away of the domestic season!

Until next time, Em! x