WEEKLY TRANSITION, SWIM, BIKE, RUN, READ…..
- WORD FROM THE COACHES
- CHALLENEGE REVIEW
- NEED ANOTHER RACE?
- SHOTZ ORDERS FOR GEELONG
- TRY THE TRI STARTING SATURDAY
- NEW TA RUNNING GEAR & MALE CYCLING JERSEYS
- ATHLETE ROAD BIKE FOR SALE
- TRAINING SESSION UPDATES
After a week of checking and rechecking the radar, heavy rain on Thursday and Friday everyone was so glad to wake up to a dry Sunday morning with light winds and nothing major on the horizon. Phew – that made a difference from last year’s tough conditions. Challenge Melbourne 2016 wasn’t going to be drenched or struck by a heat wave – almost ideal conditions for racing.
With 40 plus athletes racing in the main and sprint races the tent was a buzz from 5am after everyone had sorted their transition racks prior to an early start time. The swim was on so it was on with the wetties and down to the start. All were greeted with calm flat waters which was a change from last years storm waves! A slight delay due to the sun not getting up early enough…meant a few more minutes of nerves before the gun went.
From the swim it was a run up to the carpark and through transition to the all very familiar 15k down to Mordi and back. With the Challenge guys doing 3 laps and the Sprint 1 there was plenty of support coming into the race venue. Once this was done it was a 7k loop along the sea front path returning back along beach road. Muddy patches and some trail running made it a different course but many happy to see the “hill” taken out of the equation. Through the wall of noise just before the finish always seemed to pick the guys up as they past through for laps 2 and 3. Those not racing began losing their voices early! With the final push back up to the finish line all were greeted with a medal, towel and a beer which was very refreshing if not the ideal recovery tonic…
It was then into the tents to chat with mates and see how all had gone. All elated, all knackered, all deserved. With so many athletes racing we don’t have space to list everyone but a huge congratulations to all who raced and finished. From those doing it for the first time to those competing in their n’th half distance race.
Special mentions though go to Ian Clark for going sub 5 in his first attempt and Malise for grabbing a podium spot in her first outing at this distance (also having just recovered mostly from putting a hole in her knee a couple of weeks back – some stitches were still there at the finish!). Great work to for the lady bombs crew who have been working and training hard as a group for the past several months to reach there goal. Some good quality bubbly was sprayed around to mark this achievement.
For full results, splits, gallery and the official race report jump to the Challenge Melbourne site here. This coming weekend we have Geelong 70.3 with a number of athletes going down to take on the rolling hills. Good luck to all racing. If you don’t have plans Sunday morning maybe pop down and give the guys a shout – we are sure they would appreciate it. There is already a good support crew going so you maybe able to grab a lift.
BEGINNER ROAD RIDING SKILLS 
Last night coaches Annemarie and Jed were running a refresher on road riding skills and etiquette for those new to the roads or wanting to brush up on their skills. A great turn out and feedback has been coming in and we will be doing more of these sessions through the season. Please email [email protected] if you have any specific questions regards these sessions.
NEW EXCITING FORMAT FOR SHORT COURSE TRAINING CONTINUES
Following great feedback from the first two sessions of the revised short course combo we will be running these going forward getting sharper for upcoming races. We are giving all levels of athlete a challenge and to get more race specific training in. This applies to all short course athletes from advanced to newbies and will form a key specific part of your training week.
The session begin at 6:30am with a ride including specific individual time-trial efforts. A coach will ride with those who have not ridden or are new to road riding working on some specific skills and group riding etiquette, so no excuses not to turn up. This will be followed by an ability/race distance run and swim with transition practice. Sunday we will have a long run and swim at Elwood from 7am.
February’s timetable is online with all session times and locations. Always ensure you check this timetable and our Victorian Facebook page for training updates as these sometimes have to change at short notice. Click the session on the calendar to give you more details including time and location. We do try to keep the swim times consistent but MSAC are not always able to accommodate us when we would like.
New running gear is in so order your singlets and tees and we will get them out to you asap – check them out here.
As above top result from Ian Clark. Our 2016 male ambassador gives us his low down on his race – with some wise words that we could all learn from. “So, on Sunday I spent about 5 hours doing some stuff along Port Phillip Bay that I thought I would tell you all about. I know most of you were there, so don’t need to go into too much detail. And for those who weren’t, I’m sure you had really important things on like Weddings, Christenings, and Game of Thrones marathons… So you’re excused.
However, you missed a cracker of day. So many amazing TA athletes doing their first Half Distance race and totally nailing it! Anyway, I thought I would take you through my experience and hopefully you can get something out it.” For the full review click here and read on.
If you are in search of another race for your season, a different location or something more challenging how about the Martha Cove Triathlon Festival or the Warrnambool Sufferfest Multisport Festival.
Mornington Peninsula’s newest event will take place on Sunday 3 April 2016 at the outstanding Safety Beach Coastline. The OlyFest will be formatted as a Enduro Format – (ie 750m Swim, 20km Cycle, 5km Run, 750m Swim, 20km Cycle, 5km Run), plus we have included the ever popular SprintFest (750m Swim, 20km Cycle and 5km Run), Enticer Fest and Kids Fest.
At Warnambool there are long course, olympic, sprint, enticer and kids events available alongside a number of running events.
To get your entry in follow the links above and for your 10% discount use the coupon code “club” on registrations.
If you are needing Shotz orders for Geelong 70.3 or any races coming very soon please order online through the TriShop or if out of stock please email [email protected] and we will try and get it in for you pre race.
5.TRY THE TRI – STARTING THIS SATURDAY
We have our 4th Try the Tri program of the season starting this Saturday 6th Feb leading into the Portarlington Triathlon on Sunday 13th March. Do you have friends and family who want to race and are nervous or new to the sport. Get them on the program and we will look after them through to race day. Details and bookings can be found by clicking on the image.
New design running singlets and tees for both men and women have landed and you’ll see crew wearing them out very soon. Check out the cool new designs and order below.
Running tees male and female $45
Running singlets male and females $40
New design male cycle jerseys re-stockedtoo so jump online and order away if you have been waiting.
2014 CERVÉLO S5 VWD Dura Ace Di2 9000 11 Speed, Size: 56 This bike is aero, stiff, light and fast!
Cervelo describes the bike as follows: “The Cervelo S5 VWD Dura Ace is a carbon fiber road race bike that is designed to cut through the wind like a Time Trial bike while maintaining the weight and handling of a road bike”. Only raced in Sprint Distance Triathlons for 1 season: <500kms. Not used for training rides. Excellent Condition, never crashed, only a few very small marks on the frame. Very Well Maintained. Selling due to purchase of another bike. NB: Pedals not included in sale.
RRP when new: $9,500 Sale Price: $5,000 For full specs, more photos and any other enquiries please phone David on 0419 384 383 or email at [email protected]
Core Carbon 58 Carbon Clincher Wheelset + Core Carbon 85 Carbon Clincher Rear Wheel.
Very stiff wheels with minimum flex – Very Fast! Excellent “As New” Condition, never crashed. Only raced in Sprint Distance Triathlons for 1 season: <500kms. Not used for training rides. Also included in sale: Skewers, Spare valves, Valve Extenders, Valve Tool, Spacer for 10 speed cassettes & Carbon Wheel Brake Pads.
Selling wheels as no longer using them.
RRP when new: $1,800, Sale Price: $900 = $300 per wheel NB: Tyres and tubes not included with sale. For full specs, more photos and any other enquiries please phone David on 0419 384 383 or email at [email protected]
Please ensure you check the calendar regularly to ensure you know where and when sessions are as they do sometimes change (this is especially true for swim sessions at MSAC as these can change and are often unfortunately beyond our control). This weeks highlighted sessions: (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!).
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.
- Thursday 4th Feb – Combo & Run – Elwood @6pm (reminder to always bring your wettie to these sessions to get in and practice OW).
- Saturday 6th Feb – Long course ride – Elwood @630am. Check your programs for distances.
- Saturday 6th Feb – Short Course Combo Elwood @6:30am. Bring all your gear but be prepared to ride first leaving the rest of your gear in your car (or a fellow athlete’s car).
- Sunday 7th Feb – All athletes (long & short course) Run and Swim – Elwood @7am.
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
