The most Iconic race in Australia was just one week to early for me.
After the disappointment of Xterra, it was off to Noosa to end the season on a high. I was interested to see how my body would bounce back after Maui, which was very stiff and sore after a number of falls on my right side during the bike leg. I hadn't done much all week, but after riding on Saturday I knew NOOSA had came a week to early.
The NOOSA Triathlon is the largest triathlon in the World and the 3 day festival is a must for any Triathlete in Australia if not the Southern Hemisphere. only the London Triathlon rival's it. Great weather and sunny beaches, what else could you ask for as a backdrop to this race.
The swim leg started on NOOSA's main beach and the 1500m (1700m) swim took us on a weird route across the water. The weird rectangle got the better of me, missing a swim buoy at the turn around point, causing me to swim and extra 300m, fun times. I came out of the swim 5min down on the leaders, which made for a lonely day on the bike.
I manage to ride pass about 4 athletes on the bike leg that had blown to the pace being set by the leaders and was pretty content that I had managed to catch anyone. Knowing that a really hot run leg was coming up I did calm down with about 5km to go, and rode in with another competitor. I still managed to run a couple people down but the run time was not fast and that the fatigue of Maui had settled in. Cross the line in 7th in Open but overall It was a slow and lonely day.
Time for a good rest now in preparation for next year with a new focus and a new coach.
