Huskisson Long Course Triathlon

After racing the Nepean Triathlon back in October last year I was keen to do more non-draft racing after borrowing a friend's TT bike. It sat in the back of my head for a while until I came across a cheap TT bike, this was a sign and have found myself training for long course/70.3 racing for the past couple of months. I have been enjoying the change in training, the increase in bike k's has been good and the swimming has eased off a bit. I suffered an injury which put me out of running for almost all of January but still had a few weeks prep before the race.
I had been planning to race Huskisson long course at the start of the year but wasn't sure how long this injury would take to recover, ended up entering a week out after getting the all clear. I was really keen to head down to Huskisson, especially for a different event, it's such a great place and the atmosphere down there is awesome. I put myself in the Elite category backing myself for the swim, bike and to see what the run brings. Quality field in the Elites, some strong athletes listed and a total of 19 turned up on the day.

Headed down to Husky on Saturday for registration and some pre race training. It had been overcast all day but a couple of minutes into my ride the rain started to come down and didn't stop until I had finished, perfect timing. Bike into transition, quick dinner and off to bed ready for an early start.

Up at 0445 ready to go straight into transition, still pitch black outside it was a bit tricky setting the bike up. Had a short run and headed down to the water for a good swim warm up. Everything was now done and ready for the 0630 race start, little nervous but keen as to get going.
There was a bit of confusion as to where the swim start line was, the field was a bit staggered and a lot of us (including myself) got caught off guard when then gun went off. I was a bit behind at the start and had to sprint my way to the front and ended up taking everyone with me. For the first lap I lead a long train of swimmers but on the start of the second lap I darted off course for a bit to shake some of the guys and ended up with only one left on my feet. The second lap was a lot harder, passing through wave after wave of other athletes scattered all over the course. Exited the water 1st with Russell closely followed and a 20-30sec gap on the rest. Smooth transition but by no means my fastest, out onto the bike ready to tick over 83k.

Appleton had a speedy transition and was off in a hurry, he wasn't seen again. The bike course was 3 laps and quite undulating making it hard to hold a constant pace, I rode towards the front of the guys chasing Appleton but he was putting 2mins into us each lap and there was no reeling him back. I was happy with how I rode, paced myself well and felt strong throughout. Wasn't happy though when my power meter dropped out after 1:20hr. Came off the bike, legs feeling a bit shaky, much faster transition and was out onto the run just trailing 2nd.

A few guys went out hard but I settled into a pace I had hoped to hold for the next 20k. Legs were feeling alright... for the first 10k but then it got real ugly heading out onto the second lap. Stride rate dropped right off and calves started to burn, I slowed down a lot and had to focus every little bit on turning the legs over the get to the finish. I didn't think I was going to make it with 2k to go and had a quick walk to re-gather and finish off the last part.

Finished 7th Elite in 3:47hrs. Bit of mixed emotions at the end, stoked to finish my first long course and especially in 7th position but disappointed my run let me down so much. Deep down it was kinda expected considering I didn't run  through January due to injury and haven't ran near 20k in over a year. Really keen to get my run going and look forward to the next one.

Thanks everyone for the sideline support and my awesome sponsors. Such a great event in Huskisson, look forward to returning next year.

Results-  http://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/Home/QuickResults?clientId=1&raceId=1200&raceName=Husky%20Long%20Course

Great Australian Swim Series- Sydney

Over the Christmas break I managed to pick up a running injury which put me out for 3 weeks but was able to increase the k's on the bike and keep up the swimming. Had a great few weeks of riding in the summer weather and smashed out some solid weekend sessions with the Cipolla crew. I have been back doing run/walks for a week and everything is looking positive.

The Australia Day long weekend is always stacked with races to do and the usual in the Aquathon here in Wollongong but due to my injury I decided to travel to Sydney to compete in the final race of the Great Australian Swim series at Sydney Harbour. The iconic race location was great for this event especially being on Australia Day, the race start was right next to the Opera House and just behind that was the Harbour Bridge.
The morning's weather was constant drizzle which I think put a lot of people off coming to the race but the event still managed to attract over 1000 competitors with a tough top 10. The 2.2km swim in Farm Cove kicked off just before 9am with the Anything goes category then 60+ age and unfortunately last wave was the U30 competitors.

Standing listening to briefing on the pontoon  I was freezing, keen to get in the water as the temp was around 22. They didn't hold us for long and the race was underway. Super fast start through the middle of the field and it wasn't long until the first 7 or so had made a gap. We had already caught the wave that had started before by the first buoy and it was a struggle trying to pass through them while holding feet. Luckily I had my Zoggs Predator Ultra Polarized goggles for sighting in the tough conditions. Not sure of what position I was but found myself sitting on the feet of a steong competitor I have raced before so was somewhat happy to try and keep up with him. Sitting on feet and passing through each wave category was all that happened for the first 1500 until I found some clear water ahead and made a pass on the guy I had been sitting on. He held in there until the final turn buoy but with 200m to go I finished off hard to make a little gap and ensure he couldn't come round me. Crossed over the line to see one of my training partners just finished which he placed 1st and told me I had finished 3rd. It was a bit of a shock really as I didn't realize I was that far up but was stoked to finish 3rd overall and 2nd in the 20-29 category.















Happy with how I swam that race, felt really good and finished in a podium position with two other teammates from the WIAQ swim team.



Also would like to say a massive thanks to Xterra Wetsuits Australia/Titan Performance Group for putting me on their team for 2015. I was so stoked to join Xterra as I believe they make the fastest, most buoyant wetsuits and have used them before in competition and love them. Thanks again guys, look forward to what 2015 has to offer.

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