Sydney Dextro was a great way to finish an unusual season and a great way to take out the 16-19 National Olympic Distance title. The 2011-12 season for me has been long and interrupted with HSC, then moving towns for university and also changing coaches, however I was lucky to have Mario (past coach) to forward me off to Canberra and set me up with my current coach, Corey Bacon who has taken me under his wing to guide me to big things already in 3 months.
Going into Dextro I was abit nervous as this was a high quality field and I was coming off a cracker race at Mooloobah. However I had a better preparation leading into Sydney and I had more self-belief then I’ve ever had before. As the hooter went for the start of the swim I found myself in good position reaching the first buoy in the first pack. A minor complication with my timing chip getting ripped off as we turned the buoy but flung that out of my mind, as I knew that it wasn't going to be a problem. Around the 800m mark I found myself leading second pack and found the pace was abit slow, so I decided to try something that I have never been capable of doing before and that is jumping from second to first pack. I took two big breaths then made the 150m journey across pack successfully, at this point I knew I was in for a good day.
Out of the swim in a personal best time with then another successful wetsuit tactic, it put me in a great position for the bike. Riding the picturesque course in and around the city and over the Sydney Harbour Bridge was breath taking but I wasn't here to be a tourist, I was here to race and on the bike is where I was going to make some time. So I put my head down and left nothing in the bike legs pushing a little bit harder then first thought. Riding through the field I stepped off about 5th in 16-19's and knew it was all left for my strongest leg, the run.
A perfect transition put me in the prime position to move into 4th early on. I found my run legs quickly and felt strong leading into the 3km mark. Hearing various screams from spectators I knew gave me that little bit more termination to push on even though my legs that were screaming at me to slow down I knew 3rd was only up the road. Hitting the 8km mark I could now see 3rd and at that stage knew I was running much faster then him. As I got within an arms length of him I took it wide and surged past, just to make sure he couldn't jump on my hip and run with me. As I hit final turn around I spotted 1st around 40 seconds ahead, so I dug deep, picked up the pace but unfortunately didn't have quite enough to take the win, however I come out with my first major podium of the season and the best race of my life. Finally some very hard work in Canberra had paid off.
With two happy parents, a happy sister, a happy coach and a season best race, I couldn't ask for anymore at the time. It was a great way to end a long and interrupted season and I'm so happy and proud of the achievements I have made this year. So what’s next? Well I have my break during May, which I am looking forward to. During my break I will look into getting my level 1 coaching accreditation so I am able to help out my coach and hopefully take some junior triathletes under my wing, having lots of fun with them and guiding them to big and better things. I've also been giving the opportunity to manage and assist coach with a close friend and Sydney coach when we take 20+ athletes to Falls Creek for a week long training camp and also a Junior ITU race weekend in Runaway Bay, Qld, where over 130 of Australia’s best under 19’s Triathletes will fight it out. Apart from that ill be having a huge swim, bike, strength winter and hoping big things to come after a great winter block.
Thanks to everyone who has supported me in the last 12 months, i wouldn't be where i am if it wasn't for your help.
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