The 6th stop of the Australian Triathlon Series continued last
weekend with Geelong hosting the race which also doubled as the Aussie Olympic
distance champs for Age groupers as well as Elites. I arrived in Geelong on
Friday 2nd March where mum and I checked into our nice accommodation, Nireeda
Apartments. A great little place with shops and race area only a couple minutes
walk!
The weather gods were with us over the weekend, with mostly fine
and sunny conditions. However they did forecast some drizzle and wind for
Sunday morning, but luck was on our side and race morning dawned fine and very
little breeze :0)
Swim:
Race start was at 8am, but my age group was in one of the last
waves so I didn't kick off till 8:40am. I was in the last female wave too which
meant for the entire race I was chasing chicks, and I would have no idea of my
overall position. So I decided to forget about what result would eventuate and
just focus on each leg as it came.
I positioned myself right off to the side at the swim start
learning from previous races that if I was right in the middle, I'd just get
smacked and hammered by flying arms and legs. The plan worked as I got a nice
clean start, pushing the pace quite hard, and eventually finding the feet of
some faster swimmers to swim behind. However, their pace was a tad too quick for
me to hold, and I eventually lost contact with them after about a 1km. I exited
roughly a minute behind them with a split of 22min.
Bike:
Happy with the swim over, I hurried through transition and set
about hunting down girls. The 40k out/back bike leg was anything but exciting.
mostly flat with a few inclines and a detour out/back section at the far end of
the course. I have to admit it was rather boring! a tail wind pushed us out so
I motored along at around 42km/hr heading out! I passed plenty of girls but
most were in the waves before me. I was on the look out for anyone with a "4"
on their right calf! The return trip was somewhat slower as I sat around 32km/hr
into a slight headwind. I finally saw and passed some number "4"s but still
had very little idea where I was placed. most people I saw were riding quite
honestly as I didn't see any big bunches or much drafting (but I'm sure some
people have a different view!)
Run:
Still with no idea where I was placing, I headed out for the 2
lap run ready to put in a good chase. I completed the first km in 3:35min pace!
knowing that was way too quick, I eased off a bit and settled more into a
rhythm. by the end of the first lap I had passed about 3 girls in my wave, and
thanks to a friendly spectator, I was informed there was only 1 more ahead! at
the 6k mark, I finally caught the last number "4" girl. it was then a matter of
pray and hope there were no more ahead as my legs were starting to feel like
bricks were attached! I kept the legs turning over as quickly as I could
though, and with 1k to go I gave it my all and sprinted to the finish line. I
was absolutely knackered and had nothing left crossing that line! Felt like I
was chasing for the entire 2h 13min! I was pretty confident I had won my age
group and wave, but was unsure of where I was overall. it wasn't until I was
talking to others later that I'd realised I'd also won overall! WOW! that's so
cool! :0) National Age Group Champ! a repeat of my 2006 result too! although
this year, the competition was certainly much tougher!
Well, that's it for the season from me! I will not be racing
the Cronulla Triathlon like initially planned on the 18th March. Instead I will
be heading to Jindabyne that weekend for 3 days of pointing my bike skywards for
our annual famous Tridents 3 day ride/bike camp! Should be an epic weekend away
and my first time riding in Jindabyne area!
A break over April or May then my next focus will be the 2007
World Champs in Hamburg, Germany on the 2nd of September!! Seems like a long
way, but I'm sure it will creep up before I know it! :0)
Take care all and THANK YOU for a fantastic memorable season!
Everyone has been awesome support even if you know it or not. A few words of
encouragement and congrats goes a long way! :)
Cheers!!
Shell :0)