Western Sydney 70.3

Photo- Rob Sheeley

Western Sydney 70.3 has been a happy hunting ground for myself over the past years, with taking home the 18-24 top step in 2014/15 and being the fastest age grouper in 2015 I was so keen and pumped for this race!

This was going to be my last 70.3 for 2016 so I wanted to make the most of it, the 18-24s were lucky enough to be the first wave after the pros so this meant clear water followed by clear roads (queue heavenly like music) I had a great swim and held onto the main pack until the last 200m and lost 10s which I was so happy with because usually I am 90s behind. This is all thanks to the work my swim coach Phil and Miller have put into my swim.

I was 5th out of the water with 1st place in sight. I worked my way up to 2nd within 10kms and had a strong athlete Tom stynman on my wheel. For the first 45km I worked very hard to catch 1st place my heart rate was through the roof but my legs felt strong. At 50km I was into the lead and tried to break Tom but he held strong and really started to hurt me. I tried to stay relaxed and planned to attack again at 70km. When 70km came around I put in a solid effort and managed to drop Tom off my wheel and be in the lead by myself coming onto the run.

I had roughly 75s lead on 2nd and 3rd place onto the run. Within 2km of running I knew I was in for a tough half marathon but I needed to do my best to hold off the boys trying to catch me. My heart rate was very high but my pace was a lot slower then I wanted! I just kept telling myself "if it's hurting me, it should be  really hurting them". By the time I reached 16km my lead was out to 90s but I was really hurting and all I wanted to do was walk one aid station but I knew if I started walking I wouldn't be able to run again! (At this point I wasn't cursing Miller for making me do back to back 70.3s)

Once I could finally see the finish line I was so stoked to know I was about to win my Age group 3 years in a row and to later find out I was the fastest age grouper for a 2nd year in a row and 15th overall. I can honestly say outside of Husky long course, western Sydney is my favorite race in Australia!

This will be my last 70.3 for a few months because I am going to race a few shorter races and really focus on learning how to be a good swimmer to hopefully make my dream a reality.

As always I would really love to thank my sponsors Peak fitness Huskisson, Raine and Horne huskisson, Wild Ginger, Fusion multi sport, ASPORT and Elite energy for all their support and my coach Nathan Miller for always going above and beyond do do me, but most of all my parents and girlfriend for always being there and supporting me 110%

Until next one..

Cheers!