Noosa take 5

November 3 marked the end to my 2013 race season which began a long 12 months ago at the very same event, the Noosa triathlon. Noosa is probably the most iconic triathlon in Australia and one I have returned to every year since my first in 2009 (and I'll be back again for my 6th next year!)

The beautiful Noosa National Park

Noosa has not always treated me kindly with a crash in 09, and heat exhaustion in '10 and '11, the latter ending in a rather unflattering DNF 100m from the finish... Every year I swore it would be my last, but as the bad memories faded my determination to return and conquer grew. Four turned out to be the magic number and despite some heavy rain on the bike (which probably helped the not over heating cause) I stayed upright and finished the race in a respectable 11th without needing any medical attention post race. Satisfying, but I was far from done with the race. Last years race report

This year I had wanted a top 5 finish, but on learning of the prospective strength of the field quickly changed my goal  more simply to "execute the race well, and be in the game (rather than making up the numbers at the back of the field)".

A three week crash course on riding a time-trial bike had me lining up on the start line with TT bike I borrowed rather than my trusty Trek roadie "Mad-One" for the first time. To say I was apprehensive to start with is an understatement but it only took a few rides before I worked out how to change the gears...
By race week I was confident on the bike and to my relief could even mount it with some level of proficiency. I also procured a speedsuit from Huub and was excited to find out what all the hype about these suits is all about.

Race day approached accompanied by nerves only the Noosa Tri could induce. I found myself awaiting the start, promising myself I'd never do it again. The excitement caused by a snake swimming through the start line moments before the hooter went off quelled the nerves and before we knew it we were off, happy to get away from the snake. (It's usually the bull sharks that I'm worried about, and the odd jelly fish but a snake was a bit unexpected!!)
The swim was cleaner than I'd expected and I exited towards the front of the field behind Emma Jackson and Emma Moffatt, with Maddi Allen as usual in a league of her own already up the road. The suit worked a treat and with a good transition had me on to the bike in 5th.

Exiting the swim in my Huub swimskin

 

Emma Moffatt and Ashleigh Gentle disappeared up the road never to be seen again for the rest of the race. The rest of the front girls out of the swim stayed fairly close until the start of Gyndier hill 10km in. I hit the bottom of the hill in 4th and was shortly passed by Emma Jackson who had been just behind me. Knowing that it was one of my weaker points and could potentially cost me time I worked the hill, trying to stay in contact with Emma Jackson just ahead. I managed to loose only about 10 seconds to Emma up the hill and put time into the girls behind. We had gained significantly on Liz Blatchford who was in 3rd and on reaching the top she accelerated and Emma went with her. Thinking I would easily catch up once on the flat again I didn't attack the last few hundred meters of the climb as it flattened out. I was then forced to ride my own race watching 3rd and 4th move gradually further up the road as I underestimating the psychological advantage of having someone to pace off just ahead. Rookie error.
Melissa Hauschildt came motoring past me at about the 25km mark from 2 and a half mins down out of the swim but I was well clear of the other girls behind and reached T2 in 6th.

Photo courtesy of Triathlon in Pictures

I had a solid run (albeit slightly slower than I'd hoped for) to finish in 6th. It was exciting to feel like I was actually a part of the race, and not too far off that 5th place I'd originally wanted either!

It's been super fun finishing off the season preparing for a non-drafting race - the different training and race tactics to draft legal racing has kept things fresh. It's been a long 12 months of racing and training, switching focus from the Australian season over summer to the international season during the middle of the year. I am currently thoroughly enjoying having a break but will no doubt this time next week be itching to get into some serious off season training and start preparing for next year!

Check out the race coverage on 7mate this Sunday (10th) at 1:30pm

Gillian