February in the Gong
Sun + sand + swell, three words to describe the Gong Wizard’s stomping ground. Following our altitude stint in Falls Creek during January, we all returned to Wollongong and dispersed ourselves in various houses within an 8km radius. I’m lucky to be able to return to my parent’s ‘holiday apartment’, which my brother has named ‘Towradgi Manor’.
Our training program was similar each week throughout February.
Swim sessions mixed up between the pool, the Continental pool (ocean pool) and the beach.
Bike sessions involved us being on track bikes twice a week. I feel like this would be out of the ‘norm’ for most triathletes; rolling around a 270m banked surface, on a bike with no brakes, constantly having to pedal and on some occasions doing all of the above behind a motorbike. Week in, week out this challenged me and some days I would leave loving life and others I couldn’t get out of there quick enough. So this love/hate relationship I have going on with the ‘velo’ will continue, at least until I am able to leave the track loving it every time.
What is my running situation at the moment? I am running. My plantar fascia issue is resolving…slowly. I have completed a month of consistent sessions, nowhere near the standard I am satisfied with but it’s a work in progress, one that can only improve and I am trying to enjoy this process.
In terms of racing, I have dabbled in a few races, most recently the Wollongong ITU Continental Cup. There were some good bits of the race and some bad bits. I have been focusing on improving processes, which in the future will come with more ease once they are mastered.
Outside of training I have; been an ambassador for the Weetbix Kids Try-athlon, attended our annual ‘Daquiris on the Deck’ dinner perfectly hosted by Trevor and Sylvain, had numerous beach and café visits, locked myself out of the house and picked up a subject via online university.
As per usual, I couldn’t be doing what I do without the support of numerous people. In saying this, I am very excited to have joined the Specialized Australia team and I am looking forward to working with this highly established brand.
I would like to thank Spearman Cycles in Wollongong who previously had my back with all things cycling.
I am currently one week into the Wizard’s four week training camp in New Plymouth in New Zealand (our coach Jamie’s hometown). A focus for me this year is about ‘getting out of the groove’. So far so good, but there is more to come. I will save that for my next update.
Grace
