1. WORD FROM THE COACHES

A great start to the Gatorade Series in Melbourne with a large contingent of athletes taking on race 1 at Elwood on Sunday. The day broke with some drizzle and a slight wind but that did little to dampen the spirits of those who had been training all winter for this and for a very excited but nervous bunch of Try the Tri first timers. When the gun went and people hit the open water it was on and all that training and practice came into play. The 500m/150m swim was pretty busy with many an athlete mentioning the washing machine feeling; it was then up the beach to transition and out onto beach road. A nice tail wind meant a fast ride down to St Kilda but having to work harder on the return leg. Once the laps were done a sharp run turning into a head wind home made for some great faces and sore legs crossing the finish line.

Congratulations to all those who raced especially those for the first time or the first time with Tri-Alliance. The Taj was pumping as more and more athletes came in recounting their race clutching their results slip to compare times and placings.

Top marks to our podium getters with Tegan(1), Coach Hilario(2), Michelle(1), Caroline(1) and Georgie(2) all getting a medal. We also had a good clutch of top 10s with Coaches Scott and Kathryn both snagging 5th in their age groups.

It is not all about getting on the podium and taking out the win so for those who raced sprint for the first time or it was their first tri of whichever distance take pride in your achievements and think and build for your next race – which is less than 6 weeks away. See you at St Kilda on 8th Jan!

To ensure you contribute to the success of the club please make sure your future race entries for the Gatorade Series are attached to the club. This is easily updated via a link on your registration email for the race or series where you can update your Tri-Club. Select “Tri-Alliance” with Scott as the admin and you are all good. If you do not do this when entering you will also not get your 20% discount on payment!

NOT ALL ABOUT THE TRAINING AND RACING

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

As the silly season approaches and the shops have already got their decorations in and are playing some festive tunes we have sorted out our Christmas gathering for the squad, their friends and family.

After the success and fun had last year fare foot bowling we are booking this again however this time in St Kilda meaning a more central location.

Date: Sunday 18th September from 3:30pm

$25 will get you bowling and food with drinks being at very reasonable bar prices

BUSSELTON IM

This Sunday Ironman WA in Busselton is the race of interest with a cohort of TA athletes already arrived or jetting across to WA. With both the 70.3 and full distance taking place there will be plenty of action to watch. Good luck and have a great race to all those competing:

Brett, Andy W, Michelle B, Michelle G, Pam, Coach Greg, Jimmy, Malachy, Andreas, Mal, Andy K, Ian, Juliet, Michael, Gary and Rohan.

Coach Ollie and a host of family and friends will be in attendance cheering them on and giving updates on social media throughout the day.

For race details and live tracking check out the following on the IM website.

2. TRI-ALLIANCE AMBASSADORS 2016/17

We are so excited to announce Amy & Ash as our Tri Alliance Ambassadors for 2016/17 season. These two amazing athletes are dedicated, positive and passionately support the TA Way. They both started with us in our beginner program and are currently working towards some BIG goals. Over the season they will share their experiences, be around to support and encourage our team and just be the general bundles of awesomeness that they already are! Join us in congratulating them and have a read of their reactions below:

3. FALLS CREEK CAMP – OPEN TO ALL

Our Falls Creek altitude camp is back and even bigger this year spanning the end of December and into January. This 12 day camp open to all athletes is flexible having a daily rate enabling you to manage your busy New Year schedule.

Over summer Falls is the place to go and train with many of Melbourne’s best athletes heading up for a training spike pre the second half of the season. Pro Athlete Levi Maxwell (6th at Challenge Shep) is locked in and will be at our camp to give you some top tips and training advice.

At $99 per day including accommodation and training this is great value and staying at the Geelong Ski Club lodge gives fantastic access to the surrounding rides and trail runs.

We have only 15 SPOTS AVAILABLE at the lodge so get your spot reserved. For more information and booking go to the Tri Shop below.

4. TIMETABLE UPDATES

Please check the timetable for December sessions and coaches as there are a number of changes within the festive holiday period. Athletes on programs also now have access to these so please check them out and ask your coach if you have any queries.

SWIM

• Please note that ALL MSAC swims in December are now in the outdoor pool
• Next week w/c 5th December we have normal sessions Mon 615pm, Wed 545am, Fri 545am
• The following week w/c 12th December no MSAC swim on Mon 12th or Wed 14th as swim meets are being held so we have open water swims and expect to see everyone in attendance for these important specific sessions.
• Friday 16th we have our last MSAC swim session until the new year.
• Athletes attending St Michaels this continues Mon/Weds at 7pm in December until the final session on the 21st. Sessions will resume on Monday 9th Jan.

BIKE

• Thursday morning hotlaps 545am roll for those racing Ballarat and advanced short course athletes.
• LAPS SAFETY NOTE: On the subject of our laps session around Albert Park we have been aware of a number of accidents that have happened recently. Keeping off the painted lines especially in the wet is important and even when dry taking corners too fast, too tight and not paying attention can be dangerous. Please be aware, be alert and treat all sections of the circuit with respect. Also be aware of other cyclists and be very vocal when passing or being passed
• Saturday’s ride will be rolling from Elwood at 6:30am with various distances accordingly to race and ability. Long course riders this will be your long ride with a run off the bike.
• Short course your session will begin with a longer ride than recent weeks building back in some volume and strength pre Hell Week and the next Gatorade Race in January. Also bring runners for a short run off the bike and your wettie for some open water swimming.

RUN

• Sundays session is from Elwood at 7am for all athletes and will also include and open water element. Swim from 7am, run from 8am.
• No run next Tuesday morning 6th Dec at MSAC as it is recovery week

THURSDAY ELWOOD COMBO

• Your coaches this week will be:
• Kat/Scott – Short course brick for those who did not ride in the morning
• Jed – Long and short course swim/run set

5. TRIATHLON RESEARCH

Info: ‘ Katie is a UK based physio conducting research within triathlon, looking at their training loads and injury, pain, stiffness and osteoarthritis. Initial participation is an online questionnaire. Then Katie is in Melbourne for another month to do some baseline testing. Arthritis research UK then hope to follow up again in 10-15 years. The testing takes no more than 30 minutes and testing will take place at Evolution cycles in Pascoe vale from the week commencing 5th December. You can still complete the questionnaire even if you would not like to take part in the testing. I will be at Ballarat 70.3 also if anyone wants to chat about it’

Email Katie directly if you would like further information: [email protected]