Gatorade Race 5 Elwood - TriathlonSprint

Ideally I'd be swimming this in 12 min flat. Still I'm pretty happy with the swim. Getting out to the first bouy was a battle. The waves just made you feel as though you were getting no where. I just kept at it, rounding the first bouy I was sure I was the last one in my wave, given I couldn't find anyone to draft off and was pretty sure there was no one drafting off me!! It was these negative thoughts that I swam home with. I tried to push on the way in and was probably able to with some help from the waves. But I just felt like I was out there forever.

Banish negative thoughts. More sqaud and open water swimming.

There was a distinct shortage of rubber bands in the TriBal camp today. Thus the one rubber band didn't really cut it. Probably a bit slow putting on my helmet, not as easy to get on as my old one (putting my head in the vicinty of my helmet used to suffice). Had no problems jumping on my bike, but my feet were filthy, FILTHY when I went to put them in my shoes. My hand was covered in dirt.

Bring my own rubber bands - I usually do, but I only had one this week!

So close to averaging 30km/hr. Stoked with this bike time. I pushed and I felt really good. It took me a little while to settle into a groove, but I got there and found people to pick off one by one. Sure lots got me too, but this time is a massive improvement for me. I had a gel on the second lap and this was when it started to drizzle. Really picked up after the gel, not sure if it's just psycological, whatever may be the case, I'm taking it! My aim was not to let the two TriBal girls in the wave behind, catch me on the bike. It didn't happen for the first time in awhile!!

If it was a warmer day I would need to drink more. I just need to spend more time on the bike between now and Easter to make sure I'm comfortable with riding 40km.

With no transition practice behind me in recent times, I thought I'd give the whole 'swing the leg over and roll to the dismount line' a crack. It worked a treat! Running my bike in felt a bit awkward and I felt really slow getting my running shoes on. Was sure this was going to be closer to the 2:30 mark!

Need to work on running with my bike holding the seat, rather than the handle bars

And this is where my race falls apart. I came off the bike as the 23rd fastest (slowest) in my age group and swiftly lost placings. We had a tailwind running to St Kilda. I really just tried to keep myself going with positive thoughts. Turning around was a killer, full on headwind with light rain. Bonus! Really rather unpleasant. On my way back in I saw Rich and while he caught me at Portarlington I was determined not to let him catch me again. I was running scared and it worked!!

Just gotta keep at the running.

Gatorade and powerbar. What stretching? Hung out with Rich, Christine, Kris, Stu & Tracey going through the days events.


Have a guess. It starts with 'T' and ends in 'alent'. Pretty happy with the swim & bike, just gotta work on the running. Always with the running.


Love this course, though it was certainly the windiest race all year, in all three disciplines. Made for a challenge! The tape worked a treat. It didn't move, sure, I took off three layers of skin when I removed it, but not a blister in sight. The same cannot be said for Rich & Kris! Tape is my new best friend and will probably eliminate the need to wear socks in the Oly.