What an interesting trip back.

18hrs of flying and 3 days of driving, my butt hurts. I would have been back early this morning but had to stay overnight at Threeways because I missed the station by 30min.Then on the way from Katherine, I was second on the scene at a two car accident, Spent 45min traffic controlling and getting the women so when the ambo's came they only had to take her away. Then 100km south of Darwin another accident with a 4wd on its head, Too many people stopped already so didn't bother.

A note to all drivers out there, DO NOT drive long distances or at speeds with doors locked, makes rescuing you much harder, you are assuming that once you crash you will still have the ability to open the the door, In most cases you do not. (You are not going to get robbed if your going faster then 60km/hr, plus you hhave the ability to run them over anyway, Stop being so scared people.)

I am allowed to have one rant a year, well this is mine. Have sense and think with both sides of the brain.

Yeah it was a tough day, not as tough a course as I thought but the day was tough. 

Started out with a long wait before we were allowed to swim, with us huddled into a small strip for 2 hours. My wave was the last to go and started at 0800. Pretty squashy in the water, felt like sardines in a tin. It felt great to have Whit call my name out as a good contender for top ten. 
We eventually got underway with a very rough start. The first 300m I got hit, kicked, smothered, swam over top of and grabed and pulled back. Nothing I haven't gone through before but I didn't expect it to go for so long. I then found some good feet sitting just out of the main stream flow to sit on until the 1500m mark when we started to overtake the wave before us. I went the wrong way around someone and ended back in the main pack, time to get smashed again. Fairly happy with swim but would have loved to have knocked 2min off. 

It was a very long run to transition but went pretty smooth, the volunteers were great and was ready with the transition bag for me. Not many bikes were left but you would expect that being the last wave. Im not use to it though. There was a steep hill to get out of T1 and there was a bit of congestion going up to the mount zone. Made for a slow T1. 

Race brief led us to believe there was not a flat section about. I started to think that was correct until the last 10km. I felt really good during the bike and was flying up the hills. I was enjoying the hills and making some good ground in the first 35km. After the turnaround it was a long decent, and my weight played a big hindrance as everyone was flying past me. I was in the biggest gear and pedaling plat out but everyone was just flying past me. I only got out of my seat twice and once was to pick up speed after the turnaround. 
I kept a cool head and felt comfy, which is what I needed to work on. Legs were starting to tire a little but I didn't think much of it. I got to the 80km and was still sitting at a good speed but couldn't push the legs any harder. The draft buster was sitting right behind me from the 15km to go to the 5 to go (pinged everyone except me). Got off the bike feeling pretty good but legs were heavy. 

My stride didn't come to me straight away but at the 2km mark I was feeling good again. It was a 3km downhill with a corresponding 3km uphill course. The first lap felt ok, I started to pick up the speed half way through the second lap and then on the uphill part of the third lap I was tiring and the legs were hurting. I had 3 small walking sections and then finished the last km strong. It was an amazing run course and the atmosphere was great.

A great effort seen by the professionals out there, some amazing times. Congrats to an Ausy top 2. There were some pretty fast age group times out there too. 

The legs are still a bit stiff after long periods of no movement but recovering well.

The course was great, I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I did not see the need for the T2 and finish to be in a separate spot to T1 and start. I didn't have anyone spectating me personally but I heard from others that it was not a very well thought of set-up for them. Also we were made to check our morning bags in 2hrs before we started, which left us holding our rears and getting bored. not allowed to enter the water or get out for a jog, so a warm-up run was done in a 200m long walkway dodging 1000 other people. 
Well about to get on the plane home so KIT.

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

Welcome to the board Hammer Nutrition.
In the aim to become the best I have to treat my body the best, and what goes in your mouth before, during and after training or an event is a big part of maintaining and improving your performance. The products from Hammer Nutrition have been tried and tested by many top athletes and I am proud to be a part of there excellence.
Please check out Hammers website and benefit from the great work they have done in developing one of the best endurance sports nutrition in the world.

I have a welcomed move to TriSpecific Coaching under the expert tutelage of Kristian Manietta. Taking a new approach to training and becoming faster and stronger is in the sights. Under Kristian I been working on a new form of recovery, Triggerpoint Therapy. A great way to get the muscles relaxed and recovered quicker without the expenses of massage.
With this move I have also made the decision to go to Brisbane for the six weeks before Las Vegas 70.3 World Championships. Thank you to work and a heap of great friends in and around Brisbane this is possible. It will be a great chance to relax and train and even get to meet more athletes. 
This will lead me into the Yeppoon 70.3 on 14th August and then a good block before Viva Las Vegas. 
I would like to thank TriSpecific for taking me on, and I look forward to a healthy relationship.

I got the chance to catch up with the Specialized guys in Cairns which was a great opportunity to try the new Sworks Shiv. It is a great ride and just as comfortable as the Transition, the cornering ability is amazing and you are able to adjust nearly everything to get the right fit for your cycling style. 

Walking around the expo as the excitement starts to come together. I love the atmosphere that these races give out. The opportunity to catch up with so many different people from around the world is just (in the words of Blinky Bill) extraordinary. 

Race day was a bit chaotic with an early start and a fair walk to catch the bus out to race venue. I get everything sorted out in transition, double; triple checking over everything making sure I was all set. I catch up with a couple of old training partners and find out what they have been up to, anything to keep my mind off the freezing morning.

The swim start was run a bit different, it was in a 1 lap M shape (2 laps for the people doing the full distance) and we started as the main group was starting their second lap. That slowed me down a little as I had to try and push through them to get anywhere. I had a good swim and I got out in front early, however I made the mistake of getting in the bunch of IM competitors too early. 

One month ago I won the Arafura Games Olympic distance race in Darwin. The day after I decided to go to the doctor about a cough I had which turned into pneumonia. So with two and a half weeks off training, laid up in bed, I am now back into swing of things and ready to race. 
Packing the bike yesterday I was getting nervous about the race, but with a late call to go into work, I settled down and started to think positive. I got on the plane today talking to a couple of people and started to get excited about this. Going in with no expectations and trying my best. Having as much fun as I can possibly have.

Set the bike up today and it going like a dream, Thank you to Dingo at K9 Cycles and Specialized Bicycles for all your help and support. Anyone who is in Cairns I suggest you go and check out the Specialized tent at the Expo and see the new selection have set up.
Nice quiet one back at the hotel tonight and getting ready for a big day tomorrow. Have to somehow get out to the race site to check the bike in and then get back. A little difficult but I will see what happens.
KIT

Home now after the Arafura Tri. Had a great time and with the bonus of a win. 
The swim was not so good, I couldn't get into a rhythm and felt like a brick, I was told I looked like one too. The bike was great, new specialized transition worked so well, and felt very smooth. Came first out of transition in a group of 4 and sat comfy for a bit, made a move at the 2km and made it stick stretching the lead to at least a minute and a half. 
A very big THANK YOU to Specialized and the team at K9 cycles.
Another Thanks to all the crew at Arafura games Tri committee. A very successful race in all. Also all the over seas competitors who came here, wouldn't be the same without you. Again to all the spectators, made it a lot more fun out on the course.
Recovery started and going well, feeling pretty good. Next up is Cairns half in 4 weeks.