Singapore 70.3

Disclaimer: This is going to be a long one...

Well, what an experience. My first age-group (70.3) win in one of the most challenging races of my short racing career! Here comes the novel

I flew out to Singapore Wednesday night with a sore throat and a cold, awesome start. To be honest I was really worried as on Thursday I wasn't any better, no training and a day of rest was in order. Friday and it was swim and ride day down at race site. Luke, Ollie, Blair and myself headed down to race start for a dip. I felt ok however running out of the water (practicing) I had a massive head spin and had to stop. I calmed myself down with the fact I still had another recovery day ahead.

Saturday and I was feeling better. We checked the bikes in, registered and relaxed for the rest of the day. It was hot and in classic Singapore style it was HUMID.

Race morning:

Up at 4 for some brekky and prep. We all met downstairs at 5 and waited for the bus I had booked the day before to take us down to race start. As it rocked up, it was clear Luckin had come through with another winner. I wish I had taken a photo, but it basically looked something like this.

I'm almost certain it had been pimped by X-hibit himself. It was a great start to the morning.

Down at transition and I got Chrissie (Cannondale) ready with no problems. She told me she was keen for a good one and I was keen to oblige. (yep my bike can talk - jelly?). After no fuss I was out of transition and onto the beach. I spent some time getting my head right, forgetting about my sickness and focusing on all possible outcomes for the race. I was ready.

The Pros went off, then the women. Next it was my age group. I lined up on the right hand side of the start near Luke and Scott (two other WA boys). We were given then 30 second warning then BOOM we were off. It was more of a hooter but writing honnkkk looks silly, even though I just did it...

A quick run down the beach and we were in the water. The brown, murky, hot, petrol tasting water - yum. Scott and Luke set the pace and I tucked in behind. Swimming directly into a current was tough work but the three of us split from the rest of the field in the first lap. Yep, Mark 'Hackett' Luckin was swimming well (a self appointed nickname).

Coming out to run around the beach and back into the water after the first lap, I decided to take the lead from Luke. Call me silly but I felt as though I needed to at least make an attempt to do some work heading back out rather than tap feet for 2k. As we headed back in Scott swam past me. I proceeded to jump on his feet and as we exited the 2nd lap we had a small gap on Luke. A smooth T1 and I was onto Chrissie.

Scott and I were the first two age groupers onto the bikes. As we mounted I was reminded by my old man (the family was over to support) at the start line, 'race your own race' a plan I intended to stick too.

Onto the bike and I settled into a rhythm. To be honest, I didn't feel as though I was riding 100% and I think it showed. I buckled down though and continued to press on. After completing the first lap a couple of strong riders came past - I decided to latch on and see how long I could hold my 7 meters for. Turns out about 50k. It was a nice lift and I felt strong. But boy it was getting hot. I was getting hot...ladies..

With about 10k to go the boys dropped me. I mean I let them go. Yep... I had stuck to my nutrition plan and downed all of my SIS gels and salt tabs. I timed my caffeine gels to give me a kick just when I needed it. I wasn't too concerned with the boys getting away and entered T2 feeling ok. It was time to put on the On's and let rip. Let rip running I mean, geez mind out of the gutter..

I felt great on the first lap and moved up into 2nd in my age group at about 2k. One thing I loved about the run was the fact I could keep my sunnies on the whole way. Just before I left I got in contact with Ryders Eyewear and got my hands on a sweet green and gold pair of the Cadence model for the race. The water just beads and runs off the lenses which was awesome in a race where I was throwing water over myself at every opportunity. Get onto them people! 

Onto the 2nd lap and I moved into 1st. I was psyched but kept focused there was still a long way to got. At this point it was hot. Real hot, 33 degrees and 98% humidity, seriously. My On's were moving me along beautifully. But people were melting, including me. The only real relief we got were from two of the aid stations that had ice sponges. However using these had dire consequences (please see graph below)

Ok, so I tried to make a graph in paint and it was an epic fail. Lets just say running as a women was an experience!

Onto the last lap and I was in a bit of trouble. I noticed with about 2-3 k to go I had stopped sweating, major problem. I had possibly (definitely) neglected my hydration over the last part of the run and I was beginning to suffer. The last 2k were a mess but finally I rounded the final corner into the finishing shoot.

Lets just say I was super psyched. The family and friends were there to cheer me over after supporting me over the whole race. It was my first age group win at a 70.3 and the first time I could show some real emotion over the finishing line. It was one of the best moments of my life!

Not the best photo but I really think it captures the emotion of the moment :)

Afterwards it was fair to say I was pretty wrecked and grateful to have the fam and others there to take care of me. We supported the rest of our squad coming over the finishing line and it was great to see everyone finish on a super tough day

I have raced in Singapore three times now and I can say with out a word of a lie that that they were the toughest conditions I have ever raced in. So kudos friends!!

Afterwards I got to realise a dream and accept my spot for the 70.3 World Champs in Vegas in September.

The race was a real war of attrition and I was really glad to come out on top. Massive thanks have to go to Total Triathlon the boys helped me out with any little thing I needed before the race, it was out of this world thank you guys! On shoes these bad boys are amazing and are conducive to my consistently solid run splits. SIS nutrition no cramps and no nutrition flats - need I say more? Finally Ryders Eyewear I got in contact with Neville the day before I left for the race and his help was incredible. The glasses were the best pair I have raced in and I can only encourage others to test a pair out. You won't regret it.

Finally my boys that I train and race with Sean and Jono have consistently push me further and further. My family who flew over to support. Always there thank you. Brian Kempson my coach for guidance and support. Guy Crawford and Kate Bevilaqua thank you so much for your pieces of advice and help, helps more than you know! My girlfriend Paige, even though she couldn't make this one, her constant contact made me feel like she was there. The result was as much yours as it was mine.

What's next? Thanks for asking one of three readers! I am having this week off yay! Then a 5 week build for the Busso half. After that, 2 weeks then a winter of Vegas prep. More to be explained in a further blog.

Until then..

Albany Olympic Distance

It's been a little while between posts, but that can only mean one thing, serious training!

This long weekend gone I headed down with some matesies (Paige (who is less of a matesies and more of a girlfriendsy) and Johno) to Albany for their Olympic distance classic. I love this race, rough swim, tough windy bike and an honest run. I also love Albany, beautiful part of the country.

One thing is for certain, I can't wait to finally taper for a race. Champion Lakes, Perth Olympic and Albany have all been off the back of some serious training, so bring the Singapore taper. I managed to get some great training in before and after the race and perfect my bike gymnastics skills.

Anywho, race day (Sunday) came around and after a quick transition set up I found my self standing on the beach. The ocean was pretty choppy/swelly with some decent waves crashing, it was going to be a fun swim. Before I knew it we were in the starters hands and I was surrounded by a small but quality Open field including Mikey Gee, Michael Kent, Brynt McSwain and my training partner (i.e. swimmer that smashes me every day) Luke Burton amongst others. I remember looking down at my rather flimsy timing chip around my girly sized ankle just before the start thinking, "hrm I hope that stays on"...then, GO, we were off.

My second step into the water and my timing chip fell off. After definitely not swearing I decided to make a desperate blind attempt to grab the $60 chip - SUCCESS. "Wait! I can't swim and hold this?!" So I pulled the front of my wetsuit off my chest and crammed it down my top. Sexy.

I looked up and the boys were gone. After definitely not swearing again I set off duck diving the waves and putting in a decent effort. I actually managed to catch Brynt and Michael Kent, but had missed the others, I was annoyed, but moved on.

The rest of the swim was pretty uneventful as the three of us swum together. The run up to the beach was solid and I had my wetty down to my hips when I got to my bike. Left leg off boom. Right leg....off....OFF DEFINITELY NOT GETTING ANGRY AGAIN. I wasn't too angry actually, as there were innocent children around, but somehow I had managed to get my wetty caught around my right leg...Brynt ran in and rode off, as did Mike. Finally I pulled it off, it was a fairly sub-optimal T1.

I set off up the road but couldn't quite bridge the gap to Mike Kent, bummer. I was riding solo, just like my primary school, high school and most of my uni dating days, yeaaa, at least it wasn't foreign.

The ride was windy and hilly but I loved it. AND I wasn't loosing bucketloads of time like I usually do :) WIN! I was riding well within myself and limiting the loses :) Chrissie (the name of my new Cannondale Slice) from the Total Triathlon boys was riding AMAZINGLY, massive props to them getting me set up on such a beautiful machine so quick! :)

The rest of the ride was fairly uneventful. I came tearing into T2 and had a "much better than T1" transition. I was out onto the run, throwing down 3.30's.  (I'm almost certain "throwing down" is what the cool kids say). I passed Justin about 3k in for 7th, and moved into 6th not long after. Up the road I could see Luke about 2 mins up the road. I decided to have a good crack and see if I could catch him.

Through out the run I was getting some great support from the gang. It's always great to see friends/people you know racing out there whether it be in the elite field, racing for an age group win or just for fun. I had all three of these people racing so it was great :)

With about 500 to go I caught up with Luke and managed to get past him for 5th.

My first top 5 in an Open state series races. I was stoked and even managed a little fist pump over the line.

Apart from the couple of small mistakes that ultimately may have costs me a minute of so and even a position I was happy with my race. I felt super comfy and am looking forward to tapering in a weeks time.

A quick thanks to the people that support (not sponsor, I am no where near good enough to actually be sponsored) me in my racing, SIS nutrition, On shoes and Total Triathlon who have just started to support me recently. Their new store is a breath of fresh air in the WA Triathlon scene and I encourage everyone elite and amateur alike to get down there, you won't be disappointed. Tell them Mark Luckin sent you! (Disclaimer: Telling them Mark Luckin sent you with have absolutely no effect what so ever..)

Next up is Singapore in 2 weeks :) I am very excited for this race, can't wait to have a good crack. I will also put up another blog between now and then. Until then, happy training.

Markus