The Season that was

Last weekend saw the last in the Melbourne Triathlon scene for the season.

It sort of feels a bit weird I've not done the do every Tri in the series but instead targeted races that I wanted to do well in. It started back in November 2011 when I signed up for Noosa in 2012, my first Olympic Distance Tri. This meant instead of doing a series of mini's stepping up to sprints. Over Winter 2012 saw me take on my first Half Marathon (Run Melb) then the 10km event at Melbourne Marathon which was my lead in race to Noosa. I was meant to complete the Latrobe Valley Tri but I was sick that weekend, so the Duathlon (Knox) would have to be my lead in race.  In September I took ownership of new my TT and along Belinda and Steve we trained together in September down at Mornington, Riding, Run of the bike and swimming. All of us where off to Noosa for the first time.

Ellie and I at the start of the Half

New TT Ride

Belinda, Steve and I

I went to Noosa with 2 goals - complete the event and have fun. Why is there always someone who says, what time do you want to do? I said 3hrs and I did that. I loved Noosa and I'm going back this year.

After Noosa I found that I enjoyed more the OD Tri's instead of sprints, so I signed up for Geelong. Few weeks after Noosa I completed Ride for Home along Eastlink. I used my new TT, got myself a Skinsuit and my Aero Helmet. I fly along Eastlink, on the track to slash the time from 2011 and then the weather turned and I played it safe and finished without crashing.

At the finish at Noosa

Flying down Eastlink

Tri season started and I went out to support the Club and help out as needed. Xmas came and went but it was kick off I needed to get my training in order for Geelong. My Tri Club runs what's called Hell Week, long rides, runs off the bike, swims everyday for week between Xmas and New Year. I had to also work so training was like 4:30 starts into the office by 9 then open swim after work, I felt good and started building a base for Geelong. Over Summer Mornington Peninsula became my  new training ground spent countless hours and time down there and I love it.

Earlier this year I did my first longest Open Water Swim at Sorrento 2km the water was clear and flat plus the swims are timed with the tide going out. I thought better do a warm up race and picked up Elwood, full dress rehearsal. Aero Helmet, new Trisuit, TT Bike with Race wheels. I pushing for a great time but just make sure I got it right for Geelong, everything went to plan but I know why I hate sprint distance. You are going 120% for the whole race where OD's you can recover during a leg if you need to and still make up time. Followed by another Open Water Swim at Portsea. Funny thing about this event spend 4 hrs in the car (2 there and 2 back) for 15mins worth of work. Oh well, heaps of fun and a drink at the Portsea Pub I not complaining.

At the Start at Sorrento

Elwood out on the bike

At the Start at Portsea

Drinks at Portsea

End of January came up and Australia Day, time for another swim, The Great Australia Day Swim at Brighton. This year was great as my Tri Club put up our Team Tent. Great to have more support from the Tri Club this year for this event. Next on the list was Geelong my 2nd OD race, another great weekend away and I walked away with 10mins off my Noosa time I could not believe my Garmin 10mins. I remember talking with the Head Coach, Ollie, who said Geelong is far more technical that Noosa is, meaning more time to be taken off this year. It was great weekend away and race. OD's are now my preferred distance. Was great have such a large number Tri Clubs members down at the event along with the Ta Taj.

Great Australia Day Swim

At the Finish line in Geelong

The Cerberus Open Water Swim at Black Rock, never raced it but again something new right? Home event and great swim, lucky for me my tetanus shoots are up to date, swimming so close the rusty boat you might catch something.  Great day out except for the wave start where like 30mins apart. A few of us from TA swam there, followed by another Beer and live music at the Pub.

Cerberus at Half Moon Bay Black Rock

Beer and Live Music (Jenny Biddle)

With my A Race's over time to have some fun, another Tri but this time Sandringham, a Sprint. Step back a few years Sandringham was my very first Tri ever. Guess what another PB took 4 mins of from previous year happy with that.

All done at Sandy and having fun

 In March Tri season for me over yet another Open Water Swim, Club to Club in interesting conditions. I have once raced this event and pulled out due to the conditions, but this time I finished it event. In April saw me try something on my Bucket List, a "Dirty Tri" ok a X-Triathlon. My Mountain Bike saw an airing, it had been a while, just don’t ask me about my Road Bike, it’s not been on the road much lately. I had a fun time and I might try another, it was small not well know event but different and fun.

Club to Club

Dirty Tri

 Ironman Melbourne 2013 came we were out in force to Support. Long day of Supporting our Clubs Ironman do us proud. We have 3 of our Club heading to Kona! The following Pics where taken at the Great Provider in St Kilda.

Sarah on her way to the finish line and Kona

Dave - class all the way

Andy - almost home

IM 2013 Party with Giant -what a night

At the last Tri of the season and series my other "Summer Project", Ellie did her first Tri. Ellie had a great season too, learning about Triathlon's, completing Open Water Swim's along with rides with Steve, Belinda and myself. I sure next season she will have a blast.

Transition Practice in the local park

Ellie head out on her run

So what's ahead? In a few Weeks I'm running up in the Dandenong's against a train (Puffing Billy), then start training my 2nd Half Marathon (Run Melbourne). Tomorrow see's our Club's Goal setting from there will came a list of events I want to complete. Again not every Tri under the sun, but target races.