Surf Life Saving NSW State Championships

So the mysterious knee pain turned up 3 days out, I got a cold - and yet funnily enough felt great on the start line. Psychological much?

After an early start to drive to Swansea Belmont - and an awful coffee, the usual nerves that I used to get that RUINED every race were no where to be seen. Rather was filled with excitement, as to what I may be able to pull out of the bag.

Surf carnivals being surf carnivals, the 8am start time changed, and it was an earlier start. This meant no long swim warm up, but a very short run warm up. On the start line, I felt completely relaxed, and as the gun went off - I stuck to my race plan knowing that if it didn't work, it didn't work.

I jumped straight on the feet of the girl who went out first. The pace wasn't too quick, and given the fact the sand was so soft, I needed someone's foot steps to find the hard sand. At the 1km we were substantially had of the rest of the field. As we turned the final flag for the last 500 I decided that I was going to pick up the pace and see what happened. I lifted, and looked around and she was not close by, I maintained my pace - as I ran into the arena following coach's orders, "only do what you have to do" I slowed down, and jogged to take out my first State Title.

It was a great feeling, and now am so excited to go to The Aussies - 17 days, and COUNTING

Husky Long Course/ NSW Pro Tour

What a jammed pack weekend the weekend was... I was half expecting a relaxing time in a sea side town. NOT

Saturday was awesome watching the team in the Sprint race. Tils and Laura showed again how fabulous they were coming 1st and 2nd overall in the females - they both looked awesome! Go Girls...

Saturday afternoon - I left my comfortable state of denial and raced the NSW Pro Tour... My first race in the mix with some great female athletes left me BEYOND nervous! With the eliminator format - I needed to make the final 8 to make the final. I did and it took a lot to do that. I learnt how to hurt on the bike (and believe me I was hurting) I had a great time racing this crit style format, and walking away from the 2 races I learnt more than I thought imaginable. The best part of the race was the crew from Bondi Fit cheering the ENTIRE race. I am so lucky to have such amazing friends.

Sunday saw most of us take part in the Australian Long Course Championships. There were plenty of stories with Paul breaking Rita's wetsuit, with Top Midget bolting home to get her wetsuit (and she thought she wouldn't get to run??) It was a great day of racing, and even better that Spot's Chicks won the female teams - I got the glory run leg, but the other 2 set me up to have a very comfortable 20km run.

Looking forward to the next weekend of racing - next stop Swansea Belmont...

Surf Life Sydney Branch Championships

Sometimes there is nothing better than doing something you love - just for the hell of it.

This weekend I decided to race the Sydney Branch Championships 2km Sand Run. Despite my inner demons from last year's Australian Championships - I was really excited to throw the bike, goggles and best of all the joggers to dig my toes into the sand.

The weather was a little overcast and light rain, which meant we were able to run without melting. but most of all - the torrential rain the night made the sand incredibly firm. This always makes for some quick running across the 2 lap course.

I rode from home to Cronulla which is about 35km, and despite it being cruisy I was not sure how the legs were going to hold up. As the gun went and we all headed up, the quads felt great, and was happy to settle into a comfortable pace with a few of the girls. After about 300m I knew the pace was a little slow so I decided to run with a group of boys and use their foot steps to make it a little easier. I continued to edge away from the girls, and slowly started to pick off the boys.

It felt like a quick 2km (not sure how accurate the course was) and I was third including the men and first in the women. It felt good racing on the sand , and forgot how much fun racing that race is. But the best bit of the day, has to be hanging in the North Bondi SLSC tent listening to the the banter of the boys go back and forth.

Can't wait for State and the Nationals

As per Anna's Request

Anna has requested a special mention on here...
Anna sits in an office near me, and is my regular coffee buddy. Last Friday I helped her out by sticking labels on her friend's wedding invitations. And despite common belief that I would have preferred to be in Centennial park doing flat laps, it was too hot and therefore completely happy to help out... :D

Canberra - Australian Olympic Distance Championships

I promised one Miss Laura Siddall that she would get a mention here...

Laura and I left the scorching heat of Sydney for the scorching heat of Canberra to race the Olympic Distance and Sprint Distance races.

A great morning for racing - and after the extremely hot conditions, it was unexpectedly cold on the start line, and there were a fair few jumpers, and goosebumps visible.

After Laura recently completing Busso Ironman in December she has done a quick turn around to become a sprint triathlete. She did an awesome job in winning her age group and coming 2nd overall in the females in the sprint distance.

It was a great day, and i think the new bike had a lot to do with me getting a 13min PB. Having only done 2 Olympic Distance races now, I can't wait to do Mooloolaba in March.

New Bike

After much dilberation I finally decided on a new bike, and it is better than ever could have been expected. The Argon Gallium Pro with a SRAM Red group set, is so great to ride. From what I previously had, it is like the Rolls Royce of bikes. Thanks to the team at Bike Bug who helped me with my millions of questions, and setting me up on my new best friend. Now looking forward to getting out on the road with it.

Jindabyne Bike Camp

It has been a busy couple of weeks with lots of training... so much so it Christmas seems so long ago. On the 2nd of January me along with a number of Bondi Fitters joined East Cycling club and headed to 5 days for climbing the Snowy Mountains. I didn't know what to expect, but I never expected it to be as tough as it was. But it was more rewarding than I ever could have expected. Who would have thought climbing hills, and doing 120km on the bike every day in 30+ degrees could be enjoyable. But it was great, and to finish off the camp with a 40km Time Trial upto Charlotte's Pass into an incredible head wind was amazing.