Husky Race Report

Ben's Huskisson Long Course (2k/83k/20k)

4.00.11 (12th overall, 3rd Ameteur)
Swim - 29.21
Cycle - 2.11.12
Run - 1.19.36

Big turn out for what used to be the Aussie Long Course champs. In it's 5th year it houses just over 1200 keen triathletes. Included were 2 of the top 5 from Hawaii World Champs which was a shock. The location is a 'destination' as it says on the postcard. Beautiful spot in Jervis Bay for a swim, undulating looped riding and 2 out and back loops hugging the foreshore for the run.

After a week recovering from Falls Creek LC I was feeling ok in the days leading up and after riding and running on the course a few days before I was excited to race again. We were staying at Mollymook with relations and it made for a relaxing lead up with good times. Mum and her sister were also down to watch the race so was nice to have some enthusiastic support.

No fuss for the morning of the race, just a lot of animals around. Got in the water in plenty of time. Again my swim was a little off and lost my way a bit. I was just lucky it was a wetsuit swim to even things out a little.

The bike was good fun and no problems this week. Just kept controlled throughout trying not to go into the red. Too much drafting in the lead pack once they gathered from behind me. Makes me nervous so put the foot down to try and stay away from the games. Coming into T2 I spun the legs out a bit and again the pack went by and I gave them a 15sec start into T2 as didn't want to get caught up and risk a penalty.

T2 was angry and quick. I was out of there and running in the clear. Once on course I was in hurt mode and confident running from the previous week. Having my mum and aunt out on course was great for some high fives and the crowd all around it was great. Very pleased with my fuelling, effort and time as kept concentrated all the way to the finish and kept thoughts within. At the end of the day I wasn't quite fast enough or 1st but not all that far off.

Breakthrough race backing up from a solid race the week before.

BTM


This is another good reason Ben and i make a good team, he writes all the essentials of the race report and i can just add my fluff! Essentially i was not quite as fast nor did i kick quite so many Aussie bums! My little legs got me round in 4 hrs 39 mins which bagged me a 5th spot in my age cat.


Strategically i had one of my better swims getting on and holding on to the feet of faster swimmers which gave me a toe and kept me from slipping into a lazy pace.

On to my beauty, my bike and we meant business!! It was like Piccadilly Circus out there with packs of riders everywhere i looked. lap 1 of the 3 laps i managed to loose most of the traffic, left them behind and not vice versa. Laps 2 and 3 i rode like a women on a mission, head down and no looking back.

My running legs are never as strong as my cycling legs and i often have the feeling i am going backwards. This time the run felt different i actually felt as though i was running. The next 20k's was all about form, form, form oh and the odd high 5's to the cheering supporters. My little legs on this occasion did not let me down i had the run i have quite literally been chasing for years, went sub 1 hour 40 mins, high 5 to me!!!