Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016

I know it has been a while since I lasted posted an official update and to be perfectly honest, it is really difficult to send out an update when events do not go to plan. Although after speaking to various people who have mentioned they have missed reading my updates, I realised the not so great moments make the great moments even greater so why not give the opportunity for the people who support me to also join me on this journey.

Basically my whole Euro season I felt like I had no consistent training. I went through a period of a lot of racing which I hadn’t experienced for over a year and I forgot how it felt to be out ‘out of routine’ for a longer period of time although in saying this it felt great to be back out there racing again. Another factor was getting sick a couple of times and also coming off my bike in a race in the Netherlands which ended up affecting me for over 3 weeks.

So what did I gain from the 2015 season? My biggest win without a doubt was I survived a full season without any bone stress injuries, which were the bane of my existence the previous year. Even though I was on a modified running program, my body stayed in one piece and now I can continue to progress from this.

I returned back to Australia with one month until the Nepean Triathlon which I had decided to train for then finish up my season there. I got set up on a Giant Time Trial bike as this race was a non-drafting format and I hit the road. I am not completely sold on the TT bike but I think like a lot of things this takes time and it is definitely an aspect of the sport I will continue to pursue in the future. Unfortunately the night before Nepean I came down with a stomach bug and I was unable to race.

My body and mind were certainly ready for a break so I kicked off a two week ‘vacay’ as we like to call it. After being away for over five months, the only place I really wanted to be on my ‘vacay’ was at home in Wollongong. Basically I wanted to be by the beach. If you are wondering what an athlete likes to do on their break, personally I like to be a ‘normal’ person as much as possible. This includes going to the beach (obviously!), hanging out at rock pools, shopping, rock climbing (because it’s hard to sit still for too long), relaxing walks, catching up with friends and most importantly quality coffee sits accompanied by sometimes highly eventful people watching.

I started back doing some training the past two weeks although I have been in Melbourne for the past four days to be a ‘model’ for the 2XU Summer 2016 range. The team from 2XU and Hell’s Studios ensured myself, Aaron Royle and the two other ‘talents’ (as we were referred to) were very well looked after. I am looking forward to seeing how the photos turn out so keep an eye out! We finished off the week in Melbourne by celebrating the 2XU 10 year anniversary. I finally met the founders of this phenomenal brand; Clyde Davenport, Jamie Hunt and Aidan Clarke. I am truly honoured to be supported by 2XU and can’t wait to see what they will come up with the future.

I am currently sitting on the plane to Hamilton Island for their annual triathlon event and ocean swim at Whitehaven Beach. This was the highlight of my year in 2014 so I am very excited for the next few days and I’m sure I won’t keep my excitement to myself.

As always, I can’t thank those who supported me throughout 2015 enough. My family, coach Jamie, the Wollongong Wizards, everyone involved in Triathlon Australia, Graham Marcolin from Sutton Forest McDonalds, 2XU, Spearman Cycles, Liv/Giant and Zealous Swimwear. I’m planning on a bigger and better 2016!

Until next time,

Grace

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