They say you don’t know what you have until it is gone, that is certainly the case with Racing. Once the season ended, I was still doing cross country and track, but nothing compares to the triathlon rivalry, competition and the huge family. I had been counting down the days/ weeks to the first race, and it was finally race day.
After driving and getting some hours up for my learners, I arrived at Maryborough and it was raining. I grabbed an umbrella and began walking the course, it was impossible to avoid the mud and puddles. The course was reasonably flat, but extremely muddy, making it a slow track.
I caught the party bus to Hervey bay on the Monday morning, and we had several stops to pick up more karaoke singers and arrived, just after lunch. I unpacked and found my roommates for the week, Todd and Kieran. The Queensland managers, then took us all for a light jog and swim before dinner at one of Hervey Bays Italian restaurants. I ate my pizza, and went to sleep as early as I could. I woke up at 6am and had to wait until 7am to get breakfast, so I ate a banana and packed my bag for the day. First on the agenda was a swim, before heading to the opening ceremony.
Wow, what a start line!!! This race contained the toughest field I have ever faced, with myself being the youngest. I was really mixed about being nervous and excited at the same time, and couldn’t wait to see where I stood against the field. I did my usual run warm up, however this time extended my swim warm up, and I think this really helped as I had quite a good swim.
Today’s race was a tough one with quite a stacked field and strong winds. I woke up around 5:20 and ate some wheatbix before riding through the miserable weather to transition. With the wind being unpredictable I took my 808 off the front and put my training wheel on to cope better in the wind and dropped my tires to 90psi for the wet. I did my usual warm up and headed to the swim start, which was on an empty block of land up the canal. The race began by swimming up the canal and turning around a single buoy back down the canal.
Saturday had a slow start, with a sleep in and breakfast before driving to Robina, setting up camp, and then going back to sleep. Rego and bike/uniform check was at 12:30 and my racking was at 2:45 so I found a nice shady spot to rest before setting up transition and warming up for a 3:30pm start. Today’s race was round two of the Australian Junior Triathlon Championship.
Well where do I start, I was already exhausted from the race just hours before. Once arriving at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), and finally finding where I had to be, I collected my room keys and put my stuff down.
Aft
er landing we went for a drive, to check out the race course, have bikes inspected and passed through the ITU procedures. It was extremely windy, and the lake was closed for swimming due to the rough conditions. Race briefing outlined the new rules of racing, and explained the course and timing points.
Local race, what does that mean? Sleep in, and lots of club support!!!
My day began with a late wakeup, brekkie at home, and a short drive to race venue, before signing in and
racking. Thanks to CONOSCO for the race entry.
