The water was pretty choppy which made it a bit difficult to breath especially around the back of the course and consequently I swallowed a heap of seawater. On the whole I enjoyed the swim if not a little disappointed with my time but that's to be expected considering the amount of swimming I have done recently (none....zero...zip!!!)

I need to somehow prioritize more training time to swimming (any would be great). If I want to achieve my goal of a top 5 finish, coming out of the water in 10th is just giving the other competitors a massive head start.

I thought my T1 went well and was quick. I got into my shoes on the bike and managed to pass a few guys in transition.

Nothing, it's all good.

The goal for the bike was to ride flat out as fast as I could. Also stay on my aero bars to keep out of the wind. I passed a heap of people and a couple of guys from my age group which was great.

My bike computer showed that I had averaged 33kph so I'm very happy with that. I was a minute slower then the last time I rode here so I know I can go faster but it just didn't happen today.

T2 was all good. I struggled with my shoes a little but I don't think it slowed me down too much. Could be better.

Next time I will try and follow this process: rack my bike, put on my shoes, take off my helmet and grab my hat and number belt in the same motion; start running while putting on my hat and number belt rather then waste time standing around putting them on (I saw some highlights of the Noosa Tri when i got home from Bribie and the above process is how the pros do T2).

The run course at Bribie is nice and flat and it's only 3k's so there is no real reason why you can't run this flat-out. I tried to imagine I was at one of Pat's running groups and I was running a 3k effort with no rest periods. I turned at the half way point without being passed by anybody and tried to make sure nobody passed me on the way to the finish. I crossed the line achieving my goal and was pleased with my run time and overall time.

I have run faster over this 3k course so I know I can do better.

While I hung out in the recovery area eating some watermelon I was trying to count how many other guys had finished from my age group because as I ran out of T2 the race announcer called out my name and said that I was currently in third spot. I only counted 2 other guys so I was definitely sure I had finished in the top 5 and hopeful of a possible 3rd place.


As I was watching the long course guys going around, the announcer said that they had posted the results from the short course. I went over to check them out and was a little disappointed to see a 4 and not a 3 beside my name. Nobody passed me on the run so I think the announcer may have miscounted and called me in 3rd place incorrectly as I exited T2. It felt like it was there dangling in front of me like a carrot (or a piece of chocolate) and then as I went to claim it, it was snatched away from me.

The Bribie Tri short course is a fun race and although I didn't get a place I was still really happy with my race. My disappointment didn't last that long because I went as hard as I could for the full course and placed in the top 5 which was may the major goal for the day.