Second year in a row, we are back for the Noosa Tri! The biggest triathlon in Australia and second biggest in the world! Which one is number one? must find out.
I must stay, its the very well organised event. the best I have been to. So we land and I was hoping to bump into Macca..."multiple world champion" I had just finished reading his book and had it with me for him to sign. I never thought we would bump into him straight away! We had just got off the plane, dropped our bags off at the hotel and bang... Macca walking down the main street with his family... amazing!
Had a great time with lots of ice cream and beach time with the family. It had rained for the few days before the race which raised the humidity. Race day was perfect weather and the mood was electric.
The Pros set off early and then my group was 3 hrs later. This allowed us time to check out the Pros racing... Wow they are fast! they gave me inspiration to push harder.
Jumping in the water is always an exciting time... race about to start and the body kicks into gear. Bang... go go go... arms, legs, white water every where! I sprinted off the mark and got onto a good set of legs. I got about 500m and I realised that my sprint was too much. The legs started to get away from me :-( I calmed down and focused on stroke... 1,2,3....1,2,3. I came out of the water 1 min fast than last year and energy levels seem to be in a really good way. Ready to kick it on the new bike.
Run into transition to run straight past where my bike was. Double backed and found it quickly. Glasses, helmet, race belt on. First time my shoes are on the bike... wow transition is fast not putting shoes on. I set the shoes up with elastic bands so they are level with the ground. This worked really well when I mounted the bike. My wife and son were they cheering me on... They have me the boost I needed after the swim sprint didn't go as planned (Thanks!). I got up to speed and shoes strapped in... I was off! Gel in and felt that 40km/h was a bit fast first off. Checked HR and I was in a good range so kept going. I had 2 bottles for the 1hr or so ride. First round about, one bottle flew out... damn... must watch hydration. 10km out I arrived at the KOM hill. I stayed in Aerobars all the way... felt great. Couldn't wait to come down the other side. 82km/h coming down hill was amazing... woohooo. I love my new bike! I came into Noosa town 5mins fast that last year... Thanks new bike! I felt I could have pushed harder and would have if it was my A race and not my first race of the season.
Shoes on, cap on...run run run. There was my wife and son... I love them being there... go dadda go!!!! It was almost midday so it was hot. I started with a good cadence and needed to get some water into me since I was 1 bottle down on the bike. Very conscious of hydration so sipped water. Run went very well but carefully. Hydration and injury prevention was the key for this race now. I loved the crowds. Residence along the course had their hoses out to cool us down. Well done! Shoes were full of water but I was keeping cool. Picked up the run for the last 2km down the finish chute. I saw my wife and son cheering me on for the last 100m...wow what a feeling having such a great family supporting me. Over all 8mins faster that last year... very happy! The best thing was no soreness the next day... I can push harder next year.
