It’s nearly the end of the 2014/2015 triathlon season. Following my previous blogs this will be a reflection of 2015 when there were many highlights however, also many learning experiences that can be taken into next year’s season and beyond.

The year started off with the second race in the Scody National junior series held in Penrith, NSW. Unfortunately this race did not go the way my coach and I expected. I had a good swim and moved my way to the front of the second pack, catching the small lead pack and well positioned for the run however, going into a corner my rear wheel was clipped by the girl behind me and I ended up on the floor with my bike on top of me, I landed on my head and although stunned for a few seconds luckily there was nothing broken! Unfortunately, I was not allowed to continue as my helmet was smashed which was very disappointing!

I then entered the next race in the Moana triathlons and this time I decided to go in the Open competition to test myself against more experienced athletes, I had a good swim coming out of the water in first position but lost my lead on the bike leg and eventually managed to come second behind a woman who was touring South Australia from New Zealand.

A bunch of ATC athletes with their medals in Renmark!

The next competition on my calendar was the final race of the State Junior Series in Renmark. It was a long journey up the afternoon before but well worth my first visit due to the lovely area and the race being in and alongside the River Murray. I enjoyed the race, the swim gave me a good lead which I managed to increase upon during the remaining legs and my transitions also went smoothly on the day. As a result of winning the race I achieved the overall win in the State Junior Series in my age group.

Next was travelling up to Queensland once again for the Australian Youth Championships in Twin Waters. I always look forward to this competition as it’s held in a great setting around the Novotel Hotel.

Although I look forward to the event I also become very nervous as I’m back up against the best in the country and the competition is very intense. The day before my race I managed to have a swim in the lake and practice my beach start as well as ride the bike course and have a gentle run ensuring that I drank regularly during the day due to the warm temperature.

Third Lap of the bike course in the Australian Youth Triathlon Championships.

I went through my usual pre-race preparations in the evening ensuring that everything I needed was in place, filled up on pasta and had an early night in readiness for the challenge the next day.

It was a very warm and humid day with my race not taking place until late morning; I had a really good swim which is important in the competition as there are a number of very good swimmers, I also had a good group to share the work on the bike leg and we managed to catch the leaders however, this meant that there was a massive group going into the final transition and I heard the commentator say that this should be fun!

The run leg in the State All Schools Triathlon Champs.

Thankfully, my transition went well, I avoided a couple of girls who fell in front of me and started the run leg at the back of the lead pack. I noticed during the run leg that a couple of girls pulled out as they were suffering too much in the humidity (although as Queensland girls I thought that they would be used to it)!

I made certain I took water on board at the drink stations and although I was tired, kept going moving up to fifth place, unfortunately I did not have enough left to push further forward to catch the girls I could see and settled for 5th place which I was extremely pleased with!

Afterwards, I was so happy with my achievement and relieved that it was all over so I could now get some shade and catch up and relax with the competitors and now my friends from other States.

Leaving the water in the Sprint Distance Triathlon – Silver Sands Multisport Festival

My next race back in South Australia was the State Schools Championships where I managed to win the Intermediate girls age group for the second year running and get a huge personal best.

My final race to be covered is the one that’s fast becoming my favourite, the Silver Sands Multisport Festival. I competed in the Open female category over the two days of the festival which consisted of a 1km swim and a 5km run on the Saturday followed by a Sprint distance triathlon on the Sunday.

It was a very tiring weekend but the lovely setting, the set up and the friendliness as well as the smooth running of the Festival helped ease the pain and even better I managed to win my category which I was really pleased with!

After a long, hard season I’m looking forward to a rest before starting up my training again in readiness for the next triathlon season but firstly the Duathlon season which I really enjoy.

Hope to see you out there!