Well that was a little bit of a disappointing weekend. 
Yeppoon is such a nice place and the Capricorn resort was just a wonder. I was looking forward to getting there and having a bit of fun testing myself with the new training from Kristian, but I guess it just wasn't my day. 
The weather on the lead-up to the race was beautiful with the sun shining and the wind at bay. I managed to get the bike together and out on a small ride on Saturday with everything just perfect on the bike.The road was a little rough but didn't think too much about it. A nice jog in the afternoon before bed and the nerves are all settled. (In hindsight I think that would have been by first clue that the day wasn't going to go as planed, I always am a little nervous and excited before a good race.) 
Started race day pretty early and got the bike in and sorted in no time at all. went for breakfast and then back to the room for a little rest and get the wetsuit on. Back to transition for a final race brief where they announce that the water is 19degrees wesuits are optional (not optional for this person, it is a necessity, 19degrees goes straight through to my bones). The swell is also quite big and fast pushing us a long the beach the right direction. The swim start was 1.9km down the beach so a small walk/jog before I went into the water for a good warm-up, and then we are ready to go. 
Starting gun went off and a mad dash to the water, I fall over and cant pick myself back up, so I crawl into thhe water and start a fare way back in the pack. The water was pretty rough and I am not a big fan, but I can normaly handle it well, but this was not normal. I manage to sit beside someone in my agegroup and set a good pace for a while. Then at about the half way mark I lose all sighting ability with the waves knocking me everywhere and I swallow so muck water I throw up. Managed to find the last bouy and turn to head to the beach. I catch a couple of good waves which take me nearly all the way in, so I stand up ready to run and my legs turn to mush as if they said " what do you think your doing, we're not ready yet, you can still swim further". So I swim further and manage to make it up the beach. 27 minute swim isn't too bad but with the aid of current I did expect a little faster. 
I make it up the beach and through the showers, just before I get to transition the body thought I better get all that salt water out so I throw up again. Great way to start a ride.
I get on the bike on and get going, the first two laps are pretty good and I get settled in. No one to sit with at this race, either there too fast or too slow, a little bummer. I am traveling pretty good and getting the nutrition back in. I start the third lap and my hands start to go numb and small headache arose. Not a big deal so I push it hard and try to hold onto the tri-bars (as the road was rough and granular). Finishing the forth lap of the five lap course I could not feel my arms and every bump was making my head worse.
My first DNF in a triathlon in 10 years isn't bad. I look back now and wish I did finish, but I just have to get stuck back into training and focus on Las Vegas. I'm back in Brisbane and getting 3 more weeks of good sessions in before I head o/s.

Thank you to Kristian from Trispecific Coaching, Specialized Bikes and Hammer Nutrition for there support in this venture.

After a small stint out west Qld I am in Brisbane getting ready for 70.3 Yeppoon this weekend. Last minute checks on the Specialized, and a complete run through of both transitions and Hammer Nutrition setup I am all packed and ready to go. Leaving the travelling a little late but we'll see how it goes, I have a tendency to race better with little sleep, Though it's not a long trip.
All prep has been completed and I am anxiously awaiting tomorrow morning to fly out. Thanks to Kristian at Trispecific I am feeling pretty good and ready to race. If you had asked me a week ago I would have not been so positive, but it is amazing what a week and the excitement of the race can do to change the attitude. 
I think I might need to race more often, Just to keep that competitive side going and not to get down when it is a long way away from the event. I know most of you know what I'm talking about, it is hard to keep motivated when your goals seem so long away, but trust me, they are not as far as you think. They have a tendency to sneak up on you and that's when you turn around and find all that training you were missing could have been a big help. 
A helpful piece of advice for anyone who wants it...... Don't miss a session and say it can wait till tomorrow. If you have time to do it today, do it, because once you put it off the first time, the second time come even easier. 
Keep It Together

I have finally made the trip down to Brisbane, Monday 1 August I packed for the longest drive and (for the lack of better word) holiday I have ever had. I had no idea what to bring so I took the best bet and packed nearly everything. I didn't even pack this much when I went around Australia. 
Discussing driving tips and where to stop with work colleges on Monday night, left straight after work and after two and a half days driving, I made it. 
The drive was good and the sun was quite kind to me with beautiful sky's the whole trip. I got to Toowoomba around lunch time Thursday so buggered I just colapsed on the lounge. Good recovery sleep and a great meal and now I'm ready to train.
It is a bit warmer than I was expecting but I am still finding it cold as it doesn't normally drop below 20 in Darwin. 
Thank you to K9 Cycles and Specialized, my bike has made it down here safely and unharmed. A few good training hours on it before I go up to Yeppoon 70.3 next week should get me sorted for an incredible race. 
Until next time
Keep It Together