Friday 8 May 2015

Busselton 70.3

It has been 2 years since I last competed in the Busselton 70.3 event and 17 months since I have last been on the Busselton race track!
I love racing at home and it did feel a little strange being there again after missing last years event to compete in the China Great Wall Marathon.

I was out to get a PB on this course and ideally a PB overall.
Straight up that was my goal and I was going to be disappointed if I did not get it.

I was lucky enough to head to Busselton on the Thursday which gave me Friday to complete my pre swim-bike-run over the course.

Race morning the weather was amazing, but one small detail! Calm, no rain but oh my goodness, it was FREEZING!! I was prepared this year and rocked up to transition in my European snow jacket and beanie. After much stress over the piece of glass in my front tube Andy had removed this for me and I anxiously waited to see if I was to loose any pressure due to the glass puncturing the tube.
Thankfully, a last minute check before transition closed and it was fine!
I waited for my 7.35am wave start, warming up with a jog before entering the water for a warm up - or in this case cool up?!

The 25-29 female AG was off with the Male 50-55.
The swim start was surprisingly rough. I got a little caught up at the start and as I made my was to the far bouy we then caught the slower swimmers from the age group before. As usual you navigate your way through the age groupers and eventually I made my way out of the cool crystal clear water to T1.

I was cold and shivering and as usual my T1 was somewhat slow. As I made my way out I stopped to check the pressure in that front wheel and then dropped my nutrition having to go back and get it!
Then finally I was off onto the bike course, trying to think warm thoughts!! I struggled, like most in the first lap to get warm and find a rhythm which wasn't continuous shivering! As I came back into town I spotted Andy at the round about where he told me I was down on the leaders and needed to go hard and lay it all out there. So as I passed Club Alley I decided, this is it, I need to go for it!





I rode hard. I put the hammer down. Then somehow I found myself in a pack of around 6 men. I wasn't impressed as they passed me then the pace slowed so I would over take again. It is a tight course and there is simply not enough room on the course for everyone but there is always a fight between men and their egos, and women passing them. I pushed to the front until dropping some at the far turn, with the stronger 2, just pushing ahead of me which I used to pace myself to T2.

As I came into T2 I knew I had ridden under 2.30 which was my goal (or Andy's!) and I was pleased I had achieved that.

Out onto the run I knew again I had to race hard. I was in third. I had some awesome support out there which was great. For the first time in a long time, my parents were not there to support as they were currently over seas. Andy and my sister Kate had lots of support to do to make up for this! And they did. I had closed the gap on second but the first placed female in my age put a whopping 4mins on me in the first lap! A couple of km's into the second lap I had moved into 2nd.



Around the 10km point I think this is where my race started to fall apart. I was feeling uncomfortable. Sore back, and glutes! My paced slowed which I was not happy with but I just kept pushing. I was really disappointed with the second half of my run, and especially as I was just off that 1.30 goal I had for the 21.1km.


I was relieved and emotion when crossing the line. Always emotional! Andy was there to 'catch' me and take me into the tent.

As usual, for me a disappointing swim of 30.05, a 2.27.43 ride and a 1.31.15 gave me an overall time of 4.33.05.
A PB time at Busselton and also a PB half time. I am also pleased to have made it on the Podium in 2nd for the Female 25-29AG and finish 7th Female Age grouper and 16th Female overall.

I have a weeks recovery before starting the final build to my Iron distance race, Challenge Roth in July and then completing the rest of the year with much more planned!!

It is now the perfect timing for some birthday celebrations but the end of Busselton also means one thing. Its time for coach Kate Bevilaqua and Guy Crawford to leave for Boise. I will struggle to train through winter with out these two, especially Kate as she has kept me company for many sessions this year. Kate has been awesome this year is providing me with support and pushing me in my training sessions. With out their company I will need to motivate and drive myself. Knowing the schedule, goals and plans I have this year I will need to do this! I have no other choice. It will be tough but you must work hard if you want to succeed. 

Lucky im determined and stubborn!! After all I am a Taurus!