The Challenge Series

A truly national series should ideally have a race in each capital city. This ideological approach provides opportunity for all triathletes to compete locally. Adelaide (SA), Canberra (ACT), Moreton (QLD), Hobart (TA), Sydney (NSW), Perth (WA) & Geelong (VIC).

 

Worlds Qualifying Spots

As host nation each Olympic Distance Age Group has a maximum of 25 spots available. Points will be allocated to positions 1-25 in each age group i.e. 1st will get 25 points and 25th will get 1 point.

 

  

Saturday

Collected my rental car & started my drive up north towards Redcliffe. The journey took 45mins-1hr. Ozzie being too helpful had sufficient road signage but I still got lost. Registration & bike check-in was from 5pm-8pm. Beautiful Redcliffe is like your typical PD but with cleaner beaches. The sea looks just as murky though. Collected by bib No. 64 & freebies eg. bag, towel & cap. Transition area bike rack was coordinated by numbers. Thankfully No.63 didn’t race so No.62 & I had more space to spread out. I got home about 8.30pm and had only 4hrs of snoozes when my alarm rang at 3.30am.

 

 

 

 

 

Since this was a smaller race, there wasn’t that many people participating. A little ‘paiseh’ to park my bike next to Cervelos. Cervelos is one of the big brand names that professionals ride while mine is just a 2^nd hand Trek bike that cost like ¼ of a Crevelo. I wrapped up my bike coz we have to leave it overnight. Didn’t wanna overheat the tyres & also to protect my precious soft saddle. Good thing too coz it rained that night.

 

 

 

Swim (1.5km)

My 1^st ocean swim. I had confidence in my swim after passing puberty with my technique. Also gotten use to the unsighted murky water (meaning swimming blindly). But the part that caught me was the current & waves. I ended up swimming breaststroke the whole 1.5km cause I felt I wasn’t going anywhere faster swimming zigzag. And to end it all, trying to run on shallow water, up towards the beach. So close yet taking me agessss to get out of the sea.

 Bike (40km)

My weakest leg. I hate loops. Passing numerous U-turn & going thru the same torture 4x. Rain made slippery roads, making turns & speed high risk. My faithful red ‘kecik’ bike was a toughy making through those obstacles safely.

 

 Run (10km)

Run was straight forward on the beach pathway. 3 loops, with water stations at every 1.5km. Kept a very good pace with frequent water pouring on my body & head due to the humidity. I didn’t even wear my sunnies the whole race coz it was overcast weather.

 

I wasn’t that happy with my time because I was slower by 5mins from my previous race. I learnt the biggest lesson is to wear socks when racing or else apply Vaseline all over ur feet if running sockless. A definite painful lesson. Slippers for the rest of the week. Also wore my new Croc tri-top. Comfy and light.