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 4th.
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
