Kawana Gatorade Series Round 2 (OPEN CATEGORY)

I knew coming into this race that it was going to be extremely fast with some of the best athletes In Australia and also the World with the likes of Matt Roberts, Daniel Coleman, Matt Hauser, Nick McGuire, Max Nueman, Charlie Quinn, Kye Wylde, Nic Free and Brandon Copeland all racing. 

Going for the usual warm up I was feeling great, no niggles in the legs or anything. Having the last pre race tips from the coach on what to do, I then started to head down to the race briefing before we got under way. Lining up on the start line I was pretty nervous knowing that I have to race all of these guys but I was also pretty keen to see where I'm at compared to them. 

I had a great swim start jumping straight onto someones feet. It got pretty rough at the start but then settled into a nice rhythm until the last 100m before everyone wanted to get in a good position for the swim exit. I had a solid swim coming out in the top 5.

A fast transition meant that I was 3rd out of transition and then was set up for a good bike to come. The first 3 laps of the bike were pretty solid with the draft busters following close behind which a couple people got pinged for. sitting second wheel for most of the bike I started to make my way to the back of the so called "Pack" saving some energy for the run to come. Third lap was devastating.... I got a flat. I was pretty annoyed but stoked at the same time for the outcome of the swim and the first 3 laps of the bike. 

I walked my bike back to transition and racked it and waited for the leaders to come off the bike so I could finish the race with them. I ran out of Transition with Kye Wylde who made a small break on the bike. Daniel Coleman flying past on the run I then jumped onto the back of Brandon Copeland, Charlie Quinn and Matt Roberts who I then stayed with for the first lap of the run until Brandon put a surge in which broke me. 

Overall I'm stoked with my performance apart from the flat and cant wait for the next race on the calendar which is round 1 of the Australian scody series. Thanks once again to my sponsors, coach, family and friends for all of your encouragement and support. 

All Schools Triathlon 2K14

Early morning 4:00am start jumping straight out of bed keen to race. We all loaded the car after staying the night at the Hotel packing the race bags going through all the rituals, Checking tyre  pressure, double checking that I have everything for the race and consuming the usual breakfast. We made our way over  to the race venue listening to some beats, blocking out all other sounds.

I got my race bag and put all my numbers on to everything. Heading into transition looking for the perfect spot to rack my bike whilst throwing some banter with Alex Young and having a good chat. Racking my Bike which as usual, set up perfectly by Jim from the Aspley Bike shop, OCD came into play when trying to make sure everything is perfectly set up and that awkward feeling that you think you have forgotten something but you actually haven't........

Heading down to the start line I was feeling really good. Rocking the Budgy Smugglers with the HUUB swim skin over the top, I dove into the water and did my swim warm up. The Race Officials called us out of the water for a race briefing before we got underway. The pushing on the start line started to get the adrenaline up. The hooter went off, it was a quick start and by the first can I had found myself in clear water. Bryan Mathews and I started to pull a cap on the rest of the field. Coming to the swim exit we but a fairly big gap into the rest of the field. coming out of the water I was second and then first out of transition, I then started to pull away from the field on the bike.

I Started to extend my lead, which I had a solid bike feeling really comfortable despite the wind. I made my way to the dismount line, the first couple of steps off the bike hurt but I instantly found my legs again. racking my bike and throwing my shoes and race belt on as fast as I could, running out of transition I was getting my splits and how many seconds up I had on the rest of the field told to me by Allan Grieve. My first lap of the run was great holding the same gap I headed out again for the second lap. Running through the race finish was so relieving winning for the second time in a row was a great feeling. Giving handshakes to all the athletes and having a chat about the race while throwing down some Hydralyte was a relief.

I would Like to thank My Sponsors, Aspley Bike Shop, Budgy Smuggler, Compressport and Oakley Australia for all of your support and I wouldn't be where I am today without you guys, If you are interested in buying any of there products just click on there logo on the right. 

Also thanks to my coach Josh White for your great coaching and support.

Allan Grieve for all of your words of wisdom.

Mark Tucker for your encouragement and support.

all of my mates.

And especially my family for everything that you do and I wouldn't be where I am today without you.

Moreton Bay Draft Legal Triathlon (1st)

This race was my first race for the 2014-15 season. The Moreton Bay Draft Legal race was held to finalise the selection for the Queensland Talent Squad. The previous couple of days leading into this race I was sick and was almost to the point where I was going to pull out of the race. My goal for this race was to take out the win and I knew I had a great chance at doing this. The morning came and because the race wasn't until mid day I had the opportunity to consume my usual breakfast which was toast, cereal, protein shake, egg and a banana.

I turned up to the event still feeling ill but also feeling fit and ready to race. I racked my bike which is my S-WORKS Venge set up perfectly by Jim for the Aspley Bike shop, and set up my transition ready for the race. There was an announcement over the loud speakers telling us 30 minutes until race briefing which meant it was time for me to start my warm up.

I finished my warm up and slipped my Budgy Smugglers on which are by far the best togs getting around ( if interested in buying a pair go to this website and i highly recommend them budgysmuggler.com.au) then over the top my HUUB swim skin which was great to swim in. I started heading down to the start line for race briefing and it was great to be around some of the best in the World and in Australia (Dan Wilson, Drew Box and Luke Willian). The 16+ Males and Females started there race which meant it was time for a swim warm up, as much as I didn't want to do a swim warm up because there were jelly fish left right and centre (which is an occurrence every race at this event) I had to so I could get the arms pumping and get a feel for the water. this race was a 300m swim 6km bike and a 1.5km run which will be done twice with a 30 minute break in between.

The TO's lined us up on the start line, everyone moving around trying to get the best position for the first can. The race started I made my way straight to the front, slowly making a gap between me and second. I copped a couple of jelly fish to the shoulders which I tried not to think about. I got to the swim exit and I had formed a small gap up to 10 seconds between me and second place and I knew i could ride solo on the bike and increase the gap, the second person to come out of the water slowly faded but my competitors weren't very far behind. off the bike I increased my gap to a 30 second lead (the bike is my strongest leg). I had a great run holding them off and taking the win for the first race. now it was time to warm down and back up for the next race.

Now it was time to prove a point. My coach Josh White told me to focus on my technique in the swim even if its going to slow me down. I still had a good swim coming out 2nd and with my two main competitors. I knew I had a a faster cycle leg then them so I decided to break away after 500m of the bike ride. I formed a great gap up to 25 seconds again and knew I was going to have to have another solid run, And I did. I took the win and it was a great relief dropping the pressure off my shoulders.

Huge thanks to My sponsors, Budgy Smuggler, Compressport and Aspley bike shop for all your support, to my Parents and friends for everything, My coach Josh White, and Triathlon Queensland for putting on another excellent event.