Many thanks to club member Michele Sterling for sharing her insights into her recent podium finish at Raby Bay
This race was the first anniversary of my triathlon ‘career’ where 12 months previously, I completed by first ever enticer race. Since that time, I’ve done a few more races and just 2 weeks previously completed (just) my first Olympic distance triathlon at Kingscliff. This was definitely a challenge with very hot, windy conditions and lots of swearing under my breath. I figured that the sprint distance one would not be so arduous. Feeling buoyed by this and the great club atmosphere that is present at the Gatorade races, I was looking forward to this race.
Although not as hot as recent previous races have been, the usual 2 hour wait from when transition closes to the actual start means that it is still going to be warm. When my wave finally got started, the swim to the first buoy against the tide seemed long but after the turn around we wizzed ( a slight exaggeration as wizzing and me swimming are not synonymous) back into transition 1. The men’s waves started after the females and inevitably many of them overtook us (me). This included two junior club member Adam and Tyler who shouted words of encouragement as they passed! This is typical of the great club atmosphere throughout the race. Thanks Adam and Tyler.
The early rain had gone and for my group, the bike course was dry. The bike leg was great. I had my fastest ever bike leg and second fastest in my age group. This was a result of a very helpful bike fit by John at Rival bikes only a few days prior. John raised my seat height and gave me a new saddle and this made all the difference – I highly recommend it.
The run is always hard and hot and this one was no different. Good news was that I managed to overtake a few people – thanks to Toby’s Tuesday morning run clubs – the pain at 5.30am on Tuesdays always pays off! I remind myself of this every Tuesday when the alarm goes off at 5am.
So the finish line looms and all of a sudden it’s all over. Tired but happy and looking forward to the coffee and food reward. The best surprise of all – I ended up 3rd in my age group. Even got a medal.
I say this all the time but if you’d told me 12 months ago that I would be doing Triathlons longer than an enticer, I would have laughed. But thanks to coaches Karen and Toby and the great supportive environment of the club, so many of us are achieving goals that we never would have imagined.
Looking forward to the next one!
