Triathlon Tasmania Awards

The annual TT Dinner was held in Launceston last Saturday night and I was presented with the Female Athlete of the Year Award, an award that I am extremely proud of. I am often asked why I don't move somewhere more conducive to triathlon training but to be honest I think I am already there. Despite being cold and wet in winter and having to travel across the Bass Strait to get to most races, Tassie offers me endless training options. The Ulverstone Swim Team is a great group to swim with, a outdoor 50m pool through summer and an indoor 25m in winter, Triff at Latrobe has also helped me out this year with some lane space. Cycling is unreal, flat, hills or a combo and traffic in never a concern. Riding with the Crusty's boys has boosted my ability ride at a higher pace and motor pacing with Darryn Pugh is far and above my favourite session. Running along the coast is also enjoyable whether it be during a break at work along the foreshore in Burnie, along the tracks in Devonport or heading out to the trails at Bakers beach. Strength  and conditioning with Dave Beard also gets squeezed into a busy schedule and Pilates has been a welcomed addition this season. I then have a great support network with Danny Redman for massage, Neil Orr for Osteo and Peter Johnston for physio and a pep talk. All of this is put together by my dedicated, long term, local coach Craig Redman. THANKS GUYS!

Congratulations to other award winners:

Craig Redman and Steve Oliver - Life Membership

Joe Pearson - Royce Fairbrother Award

James Hodge - Male Athlete of the Year

Dylan Evans - Junior Athlete of the Year

Mat Gaby - Most Improved Junior Athlete

Hayden Armstrong and Benny Parsons - Outstanding Achievement

Coles Bay 100 - Race of the Year

Juliet Plumb - Volunteer of the Year

Bob Van der Velde and Suzie Bower - President's Award

Race Report

I went into Ironman Australia feeling relaxed and confident in my ability to swim, bike and run well.

The swim was great. I felt good in the water and was able to stick with the lead group of guys to come out of the water as first female in a bit over 49 minutes.
Onto the bike and wow, what a head wind! I was mindful not to go too hard as in past races I have really felt the pinch in the last 80km. Caroline Steffen came flying past about 10km in and I had no choice but to watch her go up the road. I stuck to my plan, ticked off the kms and shovelled the GUs in. the second lap seemed to pass by much quicker than the first and before I knew it I had finished the 180kms in 5hrs23, above my target time but considering the conditions I was happy.
Starting the run was a strange feeling. I felt quite stiff but my pace was under target. I tried to slow back to my target time and relax into it. A few kms in and I was feeling ok. Again, focused on keeping well fuelled and holding my form, I ticked off the kms. With 4km to go I was still comfortably in second place and gave it all I had left to clock a 3hr22 marathon. My family were in the finish chute and I happily high fived them before celebrating across the line in 9hours38mins25sec.
It was so fun to be able to share this moment with them!

Thank you so much to my fantastic sponsors - CBD Cycles, Fairbrother, Total Performance Sports, Brooks, 2XU, Engine, GU and Ryders - I could not have done it with out you.

Ironman Australia 2nd Pro Female

Stoked! Fastest swim and a solid bike and run for a good day out....will write a wrap up soon, I promise.

Check out Adam's take on the day at:

 http://sports-tragic.blogspot.com/2011/05/everyone-can-be-ironman.html