TRINSW Sprint Series Race 1

Back up to Kurnell, NSW last weekend for one of my favourite races of the season, mainly because it is close to home but it is at a great location and is always a well run event. Race 1 was also a qualifying race for Sprint Distance World Championships in 2015 so I was expecting some tough competition turn up.  I have been flat out racing the past few weeks and this would be my last one for a while so was keen to make the most of it and have a good hit out.

It is always an early start out there, 4am wake up to ensure I arrive round 0530am for rego and to get a sufficient warm up done for a 7am race start. The course was a 750m bay swim (beach start), 20k cycle quite hilly at the start but flattens out for the last 15k and a 5k cross country run, U30 males were 4th wave off around 0715am. Bike racked and it was time for warm up, short run and was in the water well before race start for a good pre race swim. I had been in there for around 15min and it was right on race time and course was still not set out, standing on the beach waiting and waiting,

I hopped in for another swim. Race start ended up being delayed by over 30min but finally we were off and racing. Gotta love beach starts, running on water a body length ahead of the rest of the field

Pictured furthest away from camera

I lead the U30 swim for start to finish and had a decent gap on the rest of the competition, coming into T1 the run up the bank was congested and decided to take to the grass and found myself falling in a ditch, luckily I didn't twist anything and was back up running into T1. The bike mount is a bit tricky as it's on a hill and as I watch people falling up ahead I ran my bike 100m or so up to the flat to mount. Feet in shoes straight away as there was another punchy hill just ahead, these little hills continued for the fist 5k before I was out of the National Park and on the main road.

I had kept my lead until about 8k in the bike when Douglas came past me at what looked to be like car speed and he was gone in the next minute. Although I felt pretty flat on the bike I still managed to post 2nd fastest time overall. Onto the run now still placed 2nd and about 50sec down on Douglas I heard, although my form felt alright I knew I was running slow and this went on for the first 3.5k. It wasn't until the last lap I felt like I was at my speed but by then the race was over and settled for 2nd overall.

Another good race at Kurnell, happy to come away with second behind strong competition. That finishes up racing for a while until the New Year, time to get some solid back to back weeks of training done and maybe the odd ocean swim.

 

Summer time, race time

Summer is upon us with hot days but it has bought with it a week of back to back storms every afternoon. The summer season also means it is racing time here in Australia and I have wasted no time in getting amongst the ocean swims and variants to triathlons. Over the past few weeks I have completed in the Coogee Island Swim, 3 Points Challenge and Bondi to Bronte swim, all which have been perfect days for the events. I am back in the full swing of training now and everything has been going well, I have had a bit of a knee niggle while swimming the past week but it hasn't stopped me from chuckin the pull buoy in for the session.

First up was the Coogee Island swim back on the 23rd of November, this was the first time I had done this race and was keen to get up there and have a crack after hearing friends talk about it. I decided to enter both the 1km and 2.4km swims and use the 1k as a warm up, even the 1k race had a pretty stacked field with some quality surf club swimmers, a German national and Aus Olympian.
Jumped in for a quick warm up and the water temp was perfect for racing, sitting around 22-23°C, was only in for about 10mins before I was lined up on the sand ready for race start.
Off to a quick start down the sloped sand hill, dove into the water and was up among the front guys, it wasn't long until the big guys put on the pace and left me behind to sit on my brothers feet, he has been swimming strong and keeps a straight line in the open water so if I could stick with him I'd be happy. After about 300m we had caught the waves that had started in front and it was a battle trying to swim through them all whilst trying to stay on feet, a couple of times and had lost him and going around a swimmer a different way I ended up with a blue bottle wrapped around my ear, it was only on for about 10sec but I could feel the instant pain, luckily the pain disappeared as my adrenaline was running. I just managed to sit on until the last 100m when he put on a break coming into the beach and let him go as I still had another 2.4k to swim after this. Ended up finishing 7th overall and 3rd in 20-29. After I crossed the line the pain returned and not just to my ear but the whole side of my head, I got some ice and sat down. My neck muscles kept cramping and I was shaking uncontrollably, I was thinking this was it for the day knowing I only had another 30min before the 2.4k race start. Finally the ice numbed most of the pain and I decided to race.
Again the field was pretty strong with most of the top guys from the 1k swim, the race was a 2.4k loop around Wedding Cake Island, the north wind was starting to pick up and it was getting pretty choppy out the back. The race was on and another clean start put me in the front pack, it was all out for the first couple of hundred meters then it eased right off having around 9 guys swimming in the pack. I was sitting comfortably in the middle for the first km or so but started drifting out the back and was constantly on and off the back for the next 750m until we rounded the last can at the island before heading in and the pace was on and I was put into no-mans land coming all the way into the beach, ended up losing a minute on the pack but still finished up 7th overall.

Last weekend I headed up to North Curl Curl for the 3 Points Challenge which I competed in last year and finished 3rd. I was keen to go for the win this year hoping that the course would be back to normal (300m swim/1500m run/300m swim/100m run/400m swim/2500m run) after having the huge surf conditions last year. I arrived to find a perfect day with a 1-2ft swell rolling in, looks like it was going to be a good race. With a 10am race start I sat back and watched my brother race the 2.4k Ocean swim which he placed 3rd in behind two solid swimmers. Warmed up with a bit of run course recon and got in the water for about 5mins before race start. A few decent guys were lined up including some triathletes and 2nd place from the event last year, looking like it was going to be a hard race.
We were underway and my start was pretty awful, lost a bit of ground and a couple of gun swimmers got away early. Came out of the water in 3rd and could see 1st had a huge gap, quick T1 and I was off hunting them down, I picked off 2nd in the first 500m and was bridging the gap to first. By T2 I had caught first but he was a strong swimmer and ended up putting time into me again in the swim which was full of rips and felt a lot longer than 300m. Back into transition and he wasn't far off, with a lot of stair in this section I made up time and past him about half way to take the lead. Shoes off and in for the last swim, dove in and I was shattered, my legs were not functioning and it was only my arms dragging me through the water, he caught me after 300m and passed me just as we exited. Quick T3 and I was back in the lead ready to bring it home, the stairs back up to the top wrecked my legs but it was all downhill from here... not quite. With a 400m sand run to finish off I had two guys not far off and I was hurting, unsure whether they were going to attack I put my head down and sprinted for the line to take the win. Huge thanks to North Curl Curl SLSC and event sponsors for holding such a great race, will be back next year for sure

Next was the Bondi to Bronte ocean swim the day after, I couldn't say which muscles hurt but my whole body ached. I had done this last year and enjoyed it so I thought I might as well do it again, another awesome day but the water felt a lot colder than the day before maybe under 20°C?? I entered the Elite category so I would get to swim with a quality field a be the first wave off for the day rather than swimming through everyone. Elites was stacked full of quality swimmers including last years winner.
It was a beach start and there was some solid shore dumps coming through Bondi and right as we started one came through a broke the field up withing the first 10m. I could say I half got through it, wasn't out the front but didn't get slammed by it. The front guys got away as soon as they were in the water and I was sitting in a pack with 8 other swimmers, this didn't change until the last 200-300m coming into Bronte when they picked up the pace, I had nothing and had to just watch them get further ahead. The were a few waves at Bronte and I was hoping to catch one in but I had come in at the worst time and missed all waves, having to stroke right until I hit the sand. Ended up 14th overall, pretty happy considering how I felt from the day before.
So stoked to have Zoggs brand supporting me, the Zoggs Ultra Predator Polarised has been my goggle of choice for all 3 events. Didn't let me down once with fogginess, leakages or anything else. No other goggle comes close for open water events and the Zoggs Watson Toggs is great for training and racing.

No rest now though, I am racing the 1st round of the Sydney Sprint Triathlon Series at Kurnell this weekend which is an Age-Group World Qualifying race so there could be some strong competition here at this local event. Stayed tuned...

Thanks http://www.nickfletcherphotography.com/ for the photos, some great shots of the 3 Points Challenge

Nepean Triathlon, back at it after 6 Months

I'm back and stoked to finish my first race in over 6 months! It was a long time away from training and home but glad I made the decision to cancel racing in Europe and give my foot time to heal. I have been back home for 8 weeks now and training has been coming along well. The first couple of weeks was a real struggle but starting to find my legs and arms again, I have a good block of training to do now before the season kick off next year.

I had entered the Nepean Triathlon back in April and was keen to have a good hit out this year as I was injured for the Nepean last year and unable to race. After having such a long break, I found myself once again in far from the best shape leading into it, however keen to have it as my first race back, even if the field was stacked full of Pro's from draft legal and non-draft racing.
I was lucky enough to get on a TT bike for the first time, 3 weeks out from the race, the first couple of rides felt totally different but began to love it ride after ride, over the weeks I tweaked the bike measurements myself just on feeling to get what I thought was comfortable and aero. Even making adjustments the day before I was happy with how I was positioned, anyway, it was only 30k.

In the week leading up to the race, training wasn't going real smooth. Felt as though I was just at aerobic pace every session and nerves were building up each day. Although a good couple of pre race sessions on Saturday got the confidence back up and was keen to get racing the next day.
Being a 7am race start alarm was set for 3:30am as it was a bit of a drive out west to Penrith, arrived there still dark and rode a lap around the lake to wake myself up. After 6 months out of the racing scene, I had to familiarise myself with the registration, transition set up and warm up process, making sure I had done everything right. With that now out of the way I was in the water ready for race start, I managed to get a 15min warm up in the water and was satisfied with what I had done. The Male Pros were 2nd wave off at 7am behind the Female Pros, 20 males lined up ready to go and the race was off... within the first 30sec I watched practically the whole field pass by, some athletes looking already 50m in front. My arms and legs felt like dead weights and I was going nowhere fast, I had this feeling for the next 600m before it actually felt like I was swimming and started to reel a couple of athletes back in but by then it was too late, exiting the water in 12th. My transition was slow, just making sure I did everything right and not stuffing up the bike mount. I could see 2 guys about 10sec up the road and the main "pack", so much for a non-drafting race, about 20sec. As I watch the guys ahead swapping turns and the pack getting further away, I had to keep pushing myself to make sure I didn't lose too much time as there was a clear gap behind me and if I was to be caught it wouldn't be for a while. About 10min into the ride and I could see the TA officials hassling the two guys ahead as it was blatenly obvious they were drafting and they finally broke up and one of them started to creep back towards me. I was feeling pretty good on the bike after riding the course the week before I aimed to average around 42km/h in the race and was maintain this well. Up and over the short hill and I see the front group of 2 pass by on their return back, not long after I see the main pack of 8, it looked like a draft legal race, no gap bigger than 2m between them all. Shortly after the turn around I caught the guy who had dropped back and passed him straight away, I started to get a little uncomfortable in the last 5k's but had ridden strong and now had to prepare myself for the 10k run. Having only done 4-5 10k runs in the past 6 months I was a bit worried to see how I would go running hard for that long. Off the bike legs weren't too bad but I was pretty exhausted, after the first km I knew I had to step it back and control my running if I was going to finish this and in a time under 40min. Around the half way mark I was caught by a guy that had been riding in the pack behind me, I tried to stick with him but it only lasted for a few hundred meters before I had to let him go, although the 2nd lap felt better than the first I was still positioned the same. Coming through the last couple of hundred meters it was good to see all the kids on the side line giving high 5's to get me through that last part and into the finish chute in 12th position.
As soon as I stopped my legs were wrecked, I could barely walk but I was stoked to be back racing again and happy to finish my first one. Overall pretty happy with the race but very disappointed with my swim, out of everything I thought that would have been the best but turned out the worst. Whether it was just nerves taking over or what, I'm not sure but look forward to giving the next race a good crack.

Between now and the new year I will just be focusing on getting my training up to speed and doing a couple of local races, next up is Round 1 of the Sydney Sprint Series at Kurnell, NSW on the 14th December. Looking forward to that as I always enjoying racing out there and it is close to home. I will be putting a schedule up soon for races in 2014-15 season when I know my plans.

Just would like to say a massive thanks to Paul Oyston for lending me his TT bike, was a huge help and couldn't have asked for a better bike to borrow. Also thanks to Mark Jewell for the large TT helmet and Greg Lavelle (Gregs was too small).

Results:  http://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/Home/Results

 

                      

European Summer (without triathlon)

After some impressive results at the start of the year in Australia I was on track for a good race season in Europe. Racing was great and training was strong. Shortly after Mooloolaba Conti Cup it was time for my last race before heading over and a fun hit out at the NSW Club Championships. Unfortunatley I was injured last year and missed out representing Coogee Triathlon Club but this year there was nothing holding me back and was looking forward to racing at Forster beach as its a perfect location.


Race day was here, feeling fit and stoked to be racing with the rest of the Coogee members. First up was the 1000m swim at Forster beach, a few waves made it interesting. The gun sounded just as the sets were breaking on the shore... over the top of the first dumper then under the next, already I was out in front with a few trailing off my feet, not too long after I had lost them. Around first buoy and I could see I had a 30m gap, being a non-drafting race there was no time to wait. I was able to catch a little runner into the shore and by the time I hit transition I had about a minute gap. Time to put the pedal down on the 30km 2 lap slightly undulating and technical bike course. I had Clip-on TT bars ready for this race but after finding a crack on the handlebars a week out I had to swap bars and the clip on were not compatible. This made life hard for the next 30k after having been caught just after finishing the first lap. Off the bike in equal second and ready to chase down the leader on the 8k 2 lap run. I was out of transition and off to a great start, he was not far ahead ad knew I could have him by the end. After lap 1 all was good, I had halved the gap and was still gaining. Down off the bridge and I start to feel a small lump (felt like a little golf ball ) under the 3rd metatarsal joint, at first it seemed like something was in my shoe so didn't worry but as the race progressed the pain started and that 'golf ball' seemed to be growing in size. It was now 2k to go and it was really starting to bug me but something wasn't right... I had thoughts running through my head of ..should I stop? Is there something really wrong? or Is it just a niggle, you're almost there? I decided to keep going, I'd hate to stop and there be nothing wrong and let down the team. I slowed up dramatically lost my 2nd place and ended up finished in 3rd. I crossed the line and could barely put any weight on my right foot, I hobbled over to the medical tent straight away to find out whats going on. After a discussion with the volunteer he was 99% sure it was not a fracture or break and that it was most likely tendon/nerve damage. After some icing I headed back for the team BBQ and called it an early night after that, on my way home. The drive home was torture, it kept cramping and seizing up, I also thought it must be nerve/tendon damage and was hoping its not too serious as it was 5 weeks out before leaving for Europe. Saw the physio and concluded that it was Morton's Neuroma and should heal up fine within a few days of rest, I was prescribed a scan just to double check. Scan done, then the doctor came in, I could tell straight away by the look on his face something else was wrong. Stress fracture in my 3rd metatarsal, looking at a few weeks on crutches then a few more in a boot before I could use both feet again. So this was 5-6 week minimum... ummm, Europe is in under 5 weeks. I was devastated, didn't know what to think or do. After consulting with the physio there was still hope of being ready for Europe, swim as much as you can whenever you can and look at getting on the windtrainer in 4 weeks and I should be walking without anything in 4-5 weeks due to the small size of the fracture. I tried my hardest, swimming 40k+ a week but during the 3rd week and I still could kick in the pool I had to do some thinking. A week out from leaving I called it quits, I couldn't afford to rush this injury and get overseas and not be able to race at all. It was an extremely hard decision but thought it would be best for my future in the sport.


Apologies to my sponsors for not being able to race euro this season.

European Summer (without traiathlon) continued...

With flights already booked for myself and the rest of the family (for them to watch me race), we decided to continue our trip to Europe but change things a bit due to unfortunate events (stress fracture). So off we went for the next 4 months throughout Europe, surfed the west coast of France, Spain and Portugal for 2 months, saw the sights in Italy, Greece (and the islands), UK, Belgium and Finished off in Paris for a week where I was bale to catch up with the coaches of Issy Traithlon to talk about next year. It was a great trip, a nice little break from training and I was fortunate enough to do it all with the rest of my family. (check instagram: jake_montgomery94 facebook.com/monty176 for photos)

I have been running consistently now for over a month and so far all good. Although I haven't seen my road bike in over 4 months nor a swimming pool, I touched down in Australia this morning so time to get back into the swing of things and prepare for the season ahead. First race lined up is Penrith Nepean triathlon which will be a fun hit for my first race back and where it all started 7 years ago.

Thanks for reading                                                                                                                                                                        

Mooloolaba Oceania Cup 2014

The last major race of my Australian season had come up very quick, the Mooloolaba Oceania Cup. This is definitely one of my favourite races of the year but after two years of competing here I still haven't experienced the real deal, the swim leg at Mooloolaba Beach. Due to extreme surf conditions forecast for the weekend, we received an email on Wednesday stating that the swim had moved into the canal. A little disappointing but they had made the right decision this year with surf on Sunday morning around 5ft+.
I arrived in Mooloolaba early Friday morning, the weather was very tropical with intermittent rain, very hot and sunny, then the same three times over. Off to race briefing that afternoon to get the run down of the course, second Olympic distance triathlon of the year compromising of a one lap 1500m swim around an island in the canal. The 40km bike leg was practically flat, one lap out and back course. The 10km run was two laps consisting of three significant hills, the run was by far the most challenging part of the race. Woke early Saturday morning to head down to the canal to check tide movement for race morning, I had a quick float in the water and after headed into the surf for a pre race swim. Through the day I was able to watch the men's and women's elite races which was great, awesome racing. Wrapped up the rest of my pre race training in the arvo and was off to bed early ready for a 0430 alarm.

Race morning was here, luckily I had been getting up early the past couple of weeks otherwise it would have been a struggle. Great morning, weather was perfect for racing and I was keen to get underway. Straight into transition to check in, set up and get started on my warm up as there was only a short amount of time before race start. Warm up finished and I was now waiting in the athlete area ready to be lined up and called down to the beach. Going into this raced I was ranked 16th out of 37 athletes but only 30 showed up, small field but strong. Everyone was now ranked up and heading down to the beach, the first half of the field had taken the right side and I walked over to grab second place from the left, it was race time.

The race was on and I was off to a clean start, wasn't much of a beach run but still gained a bit of an advantage. After settling into to pace I checked the right side and they had a very fast start, a long line of swimmers was edging away and I needed to get onto feet by that turn first turn buoy. Bridged across but was about tenth place, terrible start but was swimming within front pack. Exited the swim with ten or more athletes and with a 600m run to transition I was able to make up some ground, although the bridge crossing was extremely dangerous with wet, slippery timber on the way down, a few athletes had a stumble. I had a bit of a mishap myself trying to jump on the bike, miss timed my jump and landed on the rear wheel, second try a success. The front group of around twenty athletes came together pretty quickly and we picked up Barrie soon after as he was sitting up. The bike leg rolled through at a pretty solid pace but everyone sat in comfortably with only a couple of attack attempts which were closed down in seconds. The last couple of km's on the bike was very technical and I wasn't taking any risks being stuck on the back, about 500m from the major right hand turn I came around from the back to take the lead and have a clean run through the first few turns. I was overtaken by another athlete just after one of the roundabouts but he locked up big time and almost lost it into the barrier at the turn into transition. I took the inside line and regained my lead into T2.

Very fast transition as I could hear chaos on the racks around me, I was out of there and into full stride. I had a little gap between myself and the group behind me but kept pushing, hit the hill for the first time and it shook me, legs went soft and wasn't able to rate up on the downhill. At about 2k the NZL guy had passed me and the large group was right on my heels. Three guys pushed past too quick and I couldn't jump on but a few other just edged in front and I was able to keep in close proximity. Heading up Alexandra Headland for the second time, I started to reel in some of the guys, passing one at a time I felt my run getting stronger again. En route back to the finish, 3k to go, there was a group of 4 ahead and another athlete running solo just in front of me. Over the top of the hill for the last time and downhill to the finish, I struggled running downhill and I had the athlete from Finland not too far behind me and closing in. He was getting closer and closer every 100m and I put everything in to hold my position until the end, finishing in 6th position.

It was a relief to find my running legs again in this race, as that is what the race came down to. It's been a very slow build after my injury last year but feel as though I am back to where I was before my injury. I look forward to it progressing more as I still have the European season to come. Happy with my result on the weekend, good end to the Oceania Cups in Australia. All I have planned now is NSW Club Championship in April and training before I head over to Europe in May, I will have a look at any local races if suit.

Also massive shout out to Stephen Harman for the race photos and photo shoot Sunday evening. Check out his Facebook and Instagram pages for triathlon coverage and the Mooloolaba weekend @stephen_harman 

Bont Cycling Shoes

Just received a pair of the new Bont Riot TR shoes, my first impressions was that they are extremely light and look great. This was also my first heat mold cycling shoe so was keen to chuck them in the oven for the optimal fit. On first ride I noticed a huge difference in the stiffness of these shoes compared to my previous pair, I had only had the previous pair for about a year so they were still in good condition. There is so much support in the arch of the foot and the front of the shoe is very wide and comfortable. Would recommend these to any triathlete, especially the ones who look for support in their run shoes, these would be perfect. Thanks Pete Coulson from Bont Cycling, can't wait to use them this weekend at Mooloolaba Continental Cup

Oceania Championships Devonport, TAS + Team Zoggs

I managed to cut back my hours at work the past two weeks to prepare myself for the longer distance and Devonport is an extremely tough course. This would be my fourth time down to Tassie, first time being a 13 year old at All Schools and now racing as an U23 Elite against Australia's and New Zealand's best. Departed Sydney early Thursday morning with Dad for the trip to Launceston, quick flight over the Bass Strait and I was in a crisp 10°C, picked up the car and headed towards Devonport. Despite the cold the weather was awesome, very little wind and clear sky's. Just kept Thursday pretty chilled, watched a couple of movies and got some dinner before some pre race training the next day. Woke up Saturday morning to yet again another splendid day, headed to race site late morning for a swim, water was a little fresh but standard to where I live. Grabbed a bite to eat and was then on the bike to check out the course, they had included the North St hill again this year which was definitely going to test out the entire field, didn't get much hill training in on the bike but hoped for the best. Training done for the day and off to the athlete's briefing for a quick run down of Saturday's race. First Olympic Distance race for a while, 2 lap 1500m swim with a beach start which works nicely for me, a couple of lumps but no waves. Bike course was 6 laps, 40k Total with a 350m hill at 20% Grade each lap. Run leg 10k, 4 laps out and back course. The water temperature was hovering around 20°C so wetsuit call was to be made an hour before the race.

Race start was at 1530 so wasn't overly keen for a sleep in and decided to set alarm for 0700 to get up and get moving. Just hung out in the hotel room until we were kicked out at 1000 for room check out, drove down to race site to take it easy and watch the Elite Juniors race and Female U23/Elite. Conditions prefect for racing, a little bit more swell was running through the Bass and the wind was up just a little bit more from previous couple of days. Checked in at the athlete lounge just after 1400 and bike racked before commencing my warm up, run done, swim done, it was race time.
Athletes lined up in order of ranking and called down to the beach to take their spot, I was seeded in 35th so didn't like my chances of getting a good spot, as I jog down the beach I notice everyone lining up from right to left. Perfect, I had watched the previous three races and noticed the left side had more sand running out and they were also getting a drag out the back faster closer to the rocks. I took the furthermost spot of the left and watched the rest of the middle places fill up, whilst most of the top athletes were started on the complete opposite side, I was confident with my position.

The race was on and I was off to a cracking start, leaping over waves, a few dives and I was in the water swimming, after several hard strokes I look to my right and clear water, one guy was looked to be just sitting off level with me that had started way off to the right. I didn't swim over straight away but let the current take me over to him gradually before ending up on his feet in second place around the fist buoy.                                                          Pictured furthest left

I was now settled in to my pace and keeping on feet, after the second buoy I had a few creep up beside me and sit just in front for more feet to swim on. Coming around for the second lap the buoy was inshore and a few people tried to stand up to make it around but it was just a bit too deep, luckily I had decided to just swim around cause it could have made for some problems. Second lap went by pretty quickly and a few guys just edged a bit further in front. Wasn't able to catch a wave on the way in but came out it the front pack with one guy just ahead after having caught a wave. Quick transition and onto the bike for a gruelling 40k, the attacks were already firing . I was on the rivet just trying to hold wheels then the hill was upon me, not thinking straight I had positioned myself to the back of the pack for the first climb and suffered terribly, the pack split up and I was stuck at the back watching them get further away. As I round the U-Turn they are on their way downhill and that was the last I saw of them, a stupid mistake cost me the rest of the race. The chase pack I was in had 6 guys, a couple of Aussies and a few NZ's, at times we worked well and other times very inconsistent and making it harder for everyone in the pack. The front pack was increasing their lead and we were slowing getting chased down by the third pack. Last lap almost complete and heading towards transition, I was feeling the effects of the hill.

Onto the run now and jumped straight behind Sexton ready for a fast first couple of k's, feeling good, legs were turning over quickly, ready to get this 10k done then bam! I almost came to a stop, my stomach cramped severely and I was struggling to get air into my lungs. I had to slow right down and get my breathing under control if I was going to finish this race, other athletes pass and the thought of pulling out comes into my head as I take deep breaths and my pace drops dramatically. I was not pulling out, not in the position I was. After the first lap, I was starting to get it under control but was not running anywhere fast so took the next lap the same. Half way point now and as I turn around, grab some water I feel a set of new legs and lungs, the pace start to pick up and everything feels smooth. That lap was good, much quicker than the first two and I was still increasing, if only that had been there the first lap. Last lap now and one guy has just been sitting off the back the past few km's and starts to creep near but I find another gear and start to pull away, further and further. The last 1km I'm feeling the best I have all run and actually running at race pace but by then it was too late and the damage was done.

I was pretty happy with the final result, placing 6th in the U23 category and 12th overall in the Elites. Great race venue at Devonport, I will continue to come here in the following years. Love the beach swims and quality bike course. I now have two weeks until the next race, Continental Cup Mooloolaba. Really looking forward to this one, fingers crossed for a surf swim this year.... not the lake.

Also would like to say a huge thanks to Zoggs Australia, I have a signed a 2 year contract with the swim brand. I have been using their goggles since I started triathlons and are in a league of their own, by far the best triathlon goggle on the market. Superior comfort and performance, stoked to be on the team. Pictured below wearing the Zoggs Predator Polarized

ITU Oceania Cup (AUS Sprint Camps) Elwood, Victoria

Headed down South for my first triathlon in Victoria last Friday which also fitted in nicely with my brother's 5k National Open Water Champs. Arrived late Friday morning into Melbourne and set off towards the accommodation at Queenscliff, pretty sweet place but an hour and a half drive to Elwood was a trek early Sunday morning. Just chilled around the place Friday arvo and had a quality sleep that night before heading to Elwood on Saturday for some pre-race training and athlete briefing.
Up at 0430 race morning for the drive to Elwood, the weather was definitely not ideal for racing, upon arrival it was cold, raining and very strong on-shore winds. Checked-in and bike racked but only got about ten minutes of running before the rain was too much, also the air temperature was cold and made the decision to pass on the swim warm up and resort to dry-land stretching. All the athletes were together now on the beach ready to pick their spot on the start line, I was ranked 28th and all the outside spots had been taken as there was a strong current running left to right. I was determined to start as far left as I could so I ran to the inside and stood right behind the 1st guy ready to jump straight on his feet.
The race was on, short run on the beach and into the water, the bottom was a bit uneven so wasn't able to run and diving was a bit of a struggle. I was now out past the choppy breakers and right on the feet of who I started behind, we were swimming well wide, just letting the current bring us to the turning can out the back. The swim was extremely rough but had a decent group to swim with. I came out of the water with five other guys thinking this was the lead pack but running through transition I heard someone yell out 20secs... I didn't realise until then that I was second pack and there was three out front. Smooth transition and out onto the bike with the group, the first 5k we worked really well and I definitely thought we had a chance of catching them but as soon as we hit the turn around and started riding into the wind, the pack shattered. The group behind caught up and we had only very few trying to work at the front, the wet weather didn't help either and the front group was getting further and further ahead. About 1k before transition I went off the front to get a lead on the group and have a clean T2. Great transition and out onto the run. Felt good coming off the bike but it wasn't long until the guys from the pack started overtaking me, I tried to stick with anyone who passed but just didn't have that extra gear. Once I hit the turn around the head wind was fierce and my run started to get ugly but after a km of battling it came good again and my rate picked back up. Across the line and done for the day.
Overall pretty happy for my first major race placing 17th in the Elite Oceania Cup. Racing against such a high quality field allowed me to pin point the areas I need to focus on in order to improve my results for upcoming season. This is only the beginning, look forward to some positive results this year.
Loved riding the Giant Propel for my first ITU race, such a responsive bike and handles great. Couldn't be happier with the setup, thanks Giant Sydney.
This was also my first race in the Newton MV2, these are fast! My run is still slowly coming along but having these shoes to race in makes a big difference, the 5 lugs on the midfoot keeps my running in form during the whole leg, thanks http://newton-running.com.au/

Also thanks to Happy Sock for keeping my feet in style pre and post race. The socks are awesome, check out over 100 styles at www.happysocks.com