In the Triathlon World the Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival can mean so much for some.
For the Elites the World Cup can launch you into early season success, putting you name on the table for one to watch for the rest of the year.
For the Jr Elites, the Continental Cup, can act a spring board into the senior ranks. Many World Cup athletes realised their potential at the Conti Cup.
For the age-groupers Mooloolaba can be for some their biggest race of the year, one they have worked all summer for. Or their first attempt at a triathlon or an olympic distance, leaving endless memories.
For my self this was my first time at Mooloolaba to race. After a busy race schedule I was looking forward to racing the Olympic distance over the sun kissed course. Representing Team Blonde Domination
My Race started really well better then what I expected, I stayed in touch with the front group around the first swim buoy this was around 400-500m of 1500m. I stayed with a small group for the remainder for the swim leg which I thought was moving along nicely.... Turns out we came out 3min behind the leaders with a 800m beach run ahead of us to transition. Not ideal
I was quick to move across the sand to close the gap as much as I could early but with the thoughts going threw my head of not to panic and blow up. Heading out on the bike I was cautious not to go out to hard over the first few km as its all up hill until your out on the highway. Once on the highway I put my head down and focused on riding controlled till the turn around point 20km down the road.
Just before the turn around I saw the leaders coming back in a small group (sneaky drafting) but I knew that it would take a big effort to bring them back before the end of the bike leg. An effort that would take a bit out of me for the run. I continued to push hard on the bike but not as hard has I have been in previous races, wanting to focus on delivering a good run.
I headed out on the run leg a couple of minutes down on the leader and ran my self into second place pretty early on. The run leg was hot, anyone out there would of told you it was a battlers day and I started to fade mid way in the run. Maybe the amount of racing I had done took it out of me but the speed I needed was not there. I came home strong and held my second place a few minutes down on the leader. I was sick over the finish line maybe showing me that I was not at 100% before the race.
Overall I was happy to have got threw such a Iconic race, taking a lot on board for future events. I was sick all week last week after the race, and after a little break I have started back into training at my new home...... but more about that late. Looking forward to Luke Harrop Triathlon next week.
As always thanks to Etixx Sports Nutrition, Dare2Tri, Avanti Plus the Valley, Shoes Feet Gear for your on going support.
