WEEKLY TRANSITION, SWIM, BIKE, RUN, READ…..
- WORD FROM THE COACHES
- GATORADE RACE 1 REVIEW
- WINGS FOR LIFE WORLD RUN & MIZUNO DEMO
- RACV GREAT OCEAN & OTWAY CLASSIC RIDE
- COACH DAN’S MO
- UPCOMING CAMPS
- TRAINING SESSION UPDATES
The Gatorade Triathlon Series 2015/2016 kicked off in spectacular style with a huge field and a buzzing atmosphere. Most of our short course guys were dusting the cobwebs off and working some serious speed. In addition we had the new crew of Try the Tri competing in their first race having a blast. For a full race review and a run down of results and podiums read on below.
Further down the coast we had a few athletes racing the Mornington Triathlon Festival in both the Olympic and long course events. Well done to Belinda Griffiths and Sharyn Cairns for their strong performances and gracing the podium in the Olympic distance race. Good work also to Andy Woodrich and Todd Petterson who took on the long course event and some serious hills!
In other racing we had Ryan Buhagiar took on the Western Sydney 70.3 Ironman event having a solid race coming in just over the 5hr mark. Well done Ryan.
This weekend sees the celebration of all the hard work for James Tyler, Michelle Grocock, Sheridan Brown, Jed Shiels, Ian Renouf, Brett Archbold and Coach Greg as they race Ironman Busselton over in WA. A fast flat course that can be windy graces athletes after the iconic swim of 3.8k around the 1.9k long pier. We wish them all the best and to have a great race. Coach Ollie is jetting over to give them support before, during and after the race alongside family and friends. For results and tracking check out the Ironman website here for race day splits and full results.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SWIMS DECEMBER: Note that these swim are now back to 6:15pm on the 2nd and 9th and 6:30pm on the 16th. check the timetable for full details.
THURSDAY COMBO THIS WEEK: This week there will be a couple of speakers joining us at the start of the session to chat about the Wings for Life World Run & then Mizuno running shoes. Following this a run set in which you’ll be able to try on some demo shoes. Starts at 6pm.
NEXT MONDAY SWIM – 7th December: Due to pool closures and an event taking place we do not have lanes for next Monday night at MSAC. We will still be swimming – an Open Water set at Elwood starting at 6:15pm. Bring your paddles and fins as these will be used in the session.
Reminder for weekend long rides – Tri-Alliance kit required: Please remember it is mandatory to be wearing TA kit on the long rides. This helps keep the group together and deters others from join in and affecting what the group is trying to achieve. There have been a couple of instances were we have had members of the public in our groups but this is often difficult to manage if not all our guys are in kit. This is for your safety and the enjoyment of your ride. We have a selection of new and old style jerseys so click here and we’ll get them out to you ASAP.
This weekend’s training will be back to normal times but with coaches Ollie, Greg away in WA the Sunday long course run and swim will be non coached though athletes will still be meeting as normal – 7am Elwood. Make sure you check below for updates and the timetable if you are not sure.
What a cracking day and set of results. From first timers to old hands the race had it all. Training in the bay over the past few weeks had been challenging to say the least with almost every session at Elwood being full of high wind and waves – so it was so great to see flat and calm conditions come race day morning on Sunday.
Having set the new tent up Saturday there was a buzz about the place as people arrived early with some nerves but plenty of excitment to get the season rolling. It all kicked off with many of the crew helping out the Kids race at 7am. Seeing the future of our sport, giving encouragement, guidance and direction and the happiness as they crossed the line getting their medals was a great way to start the day. Thanks to all those who came down to help.
Next up was the FunTri for those just starting out. A short sharp swim of 150m was followed by a 7k bike and 1.5k run. Congratulations to Lisa MacFarlane who coming back from injury graced the podium – usually found doing Olympic distance races she said it was tough going on the red line all the time!
After the kids and the mini it was on to the Sprint where the bulk of our athletes were taking part across almost every age group.
For her first Triathlon out massive congratulations go to Michelle Leason who owned the 20-24 Females age group coming in a full two and a half minute ahead of second place. Fances Taylor rounded out the podium with a solid 3rd place in only her second race.
Other podiums were had by Coach Hilario (1st in the 30-34) and Tegan Burns (1st in the First Timers – she is 14 and came in 8 minutes ahead of second – awesome!).
Special mention to our male ambassador Ian Clark who took a full 10mins of last years race time. This shows what hard work and dedication through winter can bring you. 
Watch out for further gains this season. A close call also was Kat Henderson being pipped for 3rd by 15 seconds in her age group.
Alongside those who had raced before where 40 of our Try the Tri program many competing in their first ever triathlon. The last 5 weeks has been fast and tough with less than ideal conditions for many of their sessions. It was great to catch up with so many in the tent after the race to hear their stories and see how they had done. One common theme was the huge smiles on all the faces. Well done and we look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible into the squad to train and race with us for the rest of the season.
For full results head over to the Oztiming website here. I think everyone will agree that the little print out of your result and splits was a great addition to the event giving everyone something tangible to show and share with their friends.
Congratulations to all who raced and thanks to those who helped set up and pack up after. We cannot do this without you and greatly appreciate all the help. Now ensure you are taking a few easy active recovery days following the race before the build to race 2 on Sunday 10th January at St Kilda. If you missed out on race 1 make sure you are in – there is also the Olympic distance event being held at the same time. Entries are here and don’t forget to select Tri-Alliance for your discount and to ensure we get club points.
3.WINGS FOR LIFE WORLD RUN & MIZUNO DEMO – THIS THURSDAY
This Thursday from 6 at combo in Elwood we will have Chris from The Wings for Life World Run and Mark from SoleMotive talking about the event and Mizuno running shoes. We will also have demo shoes for the session.
The Wings for Life World Run is a truly unique global race event where runners from 35 locations across the globe take off simultaneously to see who can outpace a moving finish line that is chasing them. This means that athletes test themselves in a way that most would not have before. We had a few athletes taking part last year seeing how far they could get down to the Mornington Peninsular. Our best being just shy of a Marathon before being caught!
A recap of the 2015 event can be seen below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xOIP8z0VwQ
This season the event will be taking place on May 8, 2016, in Melbourne, with Early Bird registrations now being open. The best thing about the event is that 100% of the Wings for Life World Run entry fee goes to spinal cord injury research and the search for a cure.
http://www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/au/en/
4.RACV GREAT OCEAN & OTWAY CLASSIC RIDE
For those that have entered the Gatorade Series you should have got your free entry into the Great Ocean Ride 2016 (Saturday 16th April from Torquay). Make sure you enter as we want to have as many Tri-Alliance athletes taking part as possible. It will be taken as a post season ride and is a great chance to ride alongside some amazing scenery. Early bird entries close this Friday 5th Decemberso make sure you are in – select Tri-Alliance as your group too. http://www.greatoceanotwayclassic.com.au/
For those who swim on a Wednesday morning, ride Thursday or Sunday will have noticed a growth on Coach Dan’s face during November. He has been participating in Movember and from the pictures has done a pretty good job. Please head over to his fundraising page here to donate to this worth cause. Next time you see him we think he’ll be a different man!
Dan’s motivation: To raise awareness for various men’s health issues and raise funds all while having a bit of fun in the process with friends and colleagues at work – all this despite some minor protest at home since this is the 3rd year running that I will look a bit funny for a month 🙂
6.UPCOMING CAMPS
Our next home based training spike is Hell Week (just before Christmas) and the next Camp is Falls Creek at the beginning of January.
For those who wonder what Hell week is read about last year here – this year it will be from the 19th-27th December.
For the Falls Creek camp (1st-8th January 2016) we have a limited number of spots so please email Scott to get your name down on the list.
Please ensure you check the calendar regularly to ensure you know where and when sessions are. This weekends highlights (please ensure you check your program or consult a coach so you attend the appropriate session and that you know your distances – remember you are accountable too!):
- Saturday 5th – Elwood – Long course ride @6:30am.
- Saturday 5th – Elwood – Combo with coach Scott @7:30am. The session will begin with a run so leave everything else in your car.
- Sunday 6th – Elwood – Short Course ride @6:30am. Remember to bring your runners for a run off the bike.
- Sunday 6th – Elwood – Long course run/swim @7am.
When out riding please do so safely and pay attention to all the road rules and others using the road. Read on for a guide to cycling etiquette and bike road safety and ethics.
When riding on a Tri-Alliance coached road ride it is a requirement to wear team colours. This helps keep and identify the group together and provides more safety in the fact that other riders from outside the group are less likely to join in the group – we do not know them or their riding abilities.
Safe & Happy Training
Tri Alliance
