Weekly Transition 2 Dec 2011

Word from the coaches….
Our administration team have been working overtime since the first Race of the Gatorade/Active Feet Series. This time of the year there is always a flurry of new participants into the sport of triathlon and it’s exciting to see so many new faces in and around the squad. Last week we welcomed on board 18 new athletes, most of whom participated in our 6 Week Try-the-Tri or coaching Clinic programs and are now ready to get stuck into some solid training and see some great improvements.

This week we welcome a few more onto the team including Paul Rafferty and Kate Bannister who tried a weeks training with us and loved it. We also welcome Dax and Amanda Stanley who have won a months free training between them in our first Facebook Competition of the season. So welcome to you all!

It’s hard to go a weekend without racing this time of the year and last weekend was the Ballarat Multi-Sports Festival. Tri Alliance had a small contingent who were bold enough to brave the weather and head down the hwy to Ballarat on Sunday. Well done to the following athletes:
Ryan Bourke – 1:55.31, 2nd Male 20-29, 5th overall
Steve Akins – 2:32.05, 15th Male 40-49
Stan Asimopoulos – 3:02.40, 20th Male 40-49
Paul O’Dowd

In the last week we also have athlete Brinn Tavener who has been participating in the Great Victorian Bike Ride. 9 days of Cycling throughout coutry Victoria. Brinn finishes his cycling trek tomorrow, and we look forward to hearing how long it is before he is ready to get back on his bike! 🙂

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ATHLETES RACING THIS WEEKEND
Anaconda Adventure Race – Sunday 4 Dec
On Sunday the famous Anaconda Adventure Race in Lorne is being held again and this year we have a number of athletes who have teamed up to participate including Berit and David Barton, Dave Nealon and Sandii Douglass (have I missed anyone? if so, let me know) are all competing this weekend. Legs of the race include:
Ocean Swim & Beach Run (1.9km + 400m beach run), Ocean Paddle (13km), Trail Run (15km), Mountain Bike (18km), Beach Run (1.5km). So good luck to all our athletes and their teams. Look forward to hearing your adventure stories! You can read more on the race here: Anaconda Adventure Race

Ironman Western Australia (Busselton) – Sunday 4 Dec
Ironman is the pinnicle of Triathlon. The ultimate in physical endurance, mental strength and toughness. You cannot go into an Ironman unprepared. Just getting to the start line is the hardest part from there the race itself is your chance to prove to yourself the hard work has been worth it.
This weekend is the iconic Ironman Western Australia in the scenic town of Busselton, approx 3 hours south of Perth. Around 1500 competitors will take on IMWA on Sunday, most will make it, some will not. But everyone will give the race everything they have to hear the words ‘YOU ARE AN IRONMAN’. Sunday Tri Alliance athletes will trake on the race. They have done all the hard work, the preparation, the long hours, the cold mornings, wet days and rainy nights. They have climbed the hills, fought against the wind, time trialled, swum, rode and run their way to where they are now. It has been a journey for each them and you have all been a part of that journey. They will be using each of you as inspiration, your thoughts and well wishes greathly appreciated.
Tri Allinance athletes racing:

• Ollie Allan 3^rd IM – Race Number 371
• Greg Nugent 3^rd IM – Race Number 1037
• Brett Archbold 3^rd IM – Race Number 180
• Rob Grummit 3^rd IM – Race Number 237
• Marina Jurjevic (first IM) – Race Number 1216
• Mark Hyoms (first IM) – Race Number 249
• Dan Brueckner (first IM) – Race Number 625
• Brett Parker (first IM) – Race Number 742

To track our athletes online on the day, make sure you head to www.ironmanlive.com and also keep an eye out on our facebook page for exclusive pictures, videos and live updates from our own race day resporters Sarah & Margs. 🙂

Sussan Womens Fun Run
Tri Alliance is again involved with this years Sussan Womens Fun Run, if you haven’t entered and are still keen you can purchase a late enrty on Saturday from 10am-2pm at the venue (no race day entries). With celebs such as Raylene Boyle as the events Ambassador and Sam Lane as MC it’s set to be a great day for a fun run!

Tri Alliance athletes Eleesha Nesci and Steph Lowe are the events 5km pace runners and Lisa Dominequez and Chrie Beckingham taking on the 10km pace roles, so will be out there to support all those competing.

So if you are in the StKilda area on Sunday make sure you check out this fantatsic Womens Only event.

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UPCOMING RACES
Over the next couple of months there are LOADS of races and events happening that the squad is involved in including:

• Sun 4 Dec – Ironman WA (Busselton)
• Sun 4 Dec – Mordialloc Tri (mini & sprint)
• Sun 4 Dec – Anaconda Adventure Race (Lorne)
• Sun 11 Dec – Race 2 Gatorade/Active Feet Series, Elwood
  PLUS Tri Alliance Xmas party!
• Sun 11 Dec – Canberra Half Ironman (Chris Mutimer)
• Sat 17 Dec – Rotorua Half IM, NZ (Jussie & Stan!)
• Sun 18 Dec – Canberra Olympic Distance
• Sun 18 Dec – WSTC Sprint Tri race 2, Altona
• Tues 20 Dec – Tri Alliance Athlete Team Meeting
• 22 – 30 Dec – HELL WEEK (stay tuned for details..)
• 3-8 Jan – Falls Creek Altitude Training Camp
• 6-8 Jan – Summer Training Camp
• Sat 7 Jan – Lorne Pier to Pub
• Sun 15 Jan – Race 3 Gatorade/Active Feet Series, Brighton
• Sat 21 Jan – Echuca Moama Sprint Tri
• Sat 21 Jan – Portsea Swim Classic
• Thurs 26 Jan – Australia Day Swim, Brighton
• Sat 28 Jan – The Bloody Big Swim, Frankston
• Sun 29 Jan – Australian Sprint Distance Tri, Canberra

If you are unsure of which races to enter, make sure you contact our office and chat to one our coaches to help you plan your racing over the next couple of months – if you haven’t already! Happy Racing!
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TRI ALLIANCE CHRISTMAS PARTY – NEXT WEEKEND!
Barefoot bowls, gourmet BBQ, Santa, fundraising for Elwood Lifesaving Club, great prizes up for grabs PLUS drinks at cheap bar prices, why wouldn’t you want to come along!!

Port Melbourne Bowling Club from 3pm on Sunday 11 December (post Gatorade Race 2).

RSVP’s officially closed on Sunday, but if you missed out and still want to come along, please email your details to [email protected].<img class="alignright" title="Christmas
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CLICK HERE to read more

Paddy Fitgerald and his 'infamous' beard

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH – THE BEARD HAS GOT TO GO!!

“I have spent many years cultivating my beard, and spent just as may years answering the same 2 questions.
Question 1)Why the beard?
Answer 1) Because I can and have!

Question 2) Can we shave it off?
Answer 2) This answer has always been “NO!” until now……but I have finally succumbed and the answer is now “YES!”

So as it is coming off, and what a better time to do it than infront of a ‘home crowd’ at this years Tri Alliance Christmas Party and raise  some funds at the same time for Elwood Lifesaving club. If you have seen me swim then you know I am always in danger of needing them to rescue me!! So keep an eye out for details on how you can donate and make sure you get along to the Xmas Party to witness this once in a lifetime spectical!

The time of beard removal will be at the Christmas party but money collections will start now. 

Please see Paddy for donations.”

END NOTE: Some of us are also wondering Paddy – why the chest hair?!?!! Does that come off also? 😉

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NEW TRY-THE-TRI’s
After the ‘graduation’ of our first group of Try-the-Tri participants, we now have our second group who have started their 6 week Try-the-Tri Program this week. Sessions will again be Tuesday am run, Wednesday PM combo and Saturday AM combo. So welcome and best of luck to our following participants:

Martin Carey  |  Murray Blakeman  |  Zoey Saunders  |  Michelle Harris  |  Kara Eaton  |  Sanjay Gour  |  Juliet Vermeulen  |  Peet Vermeulen  |  Nigel Whitehead  |  Jo Maloney  |  Jacqueline Taylor  |  Amy Norris  |  Matt Collyer  |  Brendan Burns  |  Maria Doyle  |  Diana Angelini  |  Karen Gee

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LEARN TO SWIM | TECHNIQUE CORRECTION
Limited places remain!
Last week we advertised a new Learn to Swim and Technique Correction program to commence in January and we have already had overwhelming response. We are currently finalising dates, but if you are interested make sure you email [email protected]
Learn to Swim Program Details
Stroke / Technique Correction Program Details

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ATHLETE TEAM MEETING #4
We are holding our next Athlete Team Meeting on Tuesday 20 December. Our Team Meetings provide essential information on our training program, training phases, what’s happening around the squad and for this team meeting we are working on a SURPRISE GUEST SPEAKER – stay tuned! Leading into the Christmas period, all current athletes are expected to attend this important team meeting.
Details:
Date: Tuesday 20 December, 6.00pm for 6.30pm start, concludes 8.00pm.
Where: Champions Room, MSAC. Enter via the back pool entrance and head up the stairs or the lift on the right.
WHAT’S HAPPENING??
> News & Updates – Tri Alliance & Triathlon
> Our current training phase – competition
> Managing training during competition & importance of extra recovery
> Learning from racing – in search of your next PB
> Sports Psychology – how you can stay focused and recover from set-backs. Guest speaker from The Performance & Sports Psychology Clinic (TBC)
> SURPRISE Guest Speaker…stay tuned!
> HELL WEEK Challenge – learn more!
> Questions & Answers
> Refreshments on arrival (did someone say Christmas cake???)
> PLUS giveaways and spot prizes!
CLICK HERE to RSVP to this evening.

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TRAINING THIS WEEKEND
SATURDAY
SHORT COURSE:
Elwood Lifesaving Club
6.45am for a 7.00am start with Coaches Darren & Mick
Bring all your swim, bike and run gear. Leave everything in your cars as session will commence with a run.

BEGINNERS/TRY-THE-TRI
Elwood Lifesaving Club
9.15am for a 9.30am start with Coaches Stan & Evalin
Bring all your swim, bike and run gear.

LONG COURSE:
Elwood Lifesaving Club
6.30am start – NON COACHED
Canberra Half: 90km
New Zealand Half; 130-140km 6-8km run off the bike at Ironman pace
Melb/NZ/PMac IM: 100-130km ride – no run off bike
All other Half IM athletes 80-100km

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SUNDAY
SHORT COURSE:
Long ride leaving from Elwood Lifesaving Club with Coaches Darren & Stan
6.15 for a 6.30am start. Don’t be late!! Ride will NOT head towards Port Melbourne due to the Sussan Womens Fun Run, so if you are late you will be chasing the group down beach road. 🙂
Olympic/strong sprint: 90km
Sprint Distance: 70-80km
Fun/social ride: 40-50km

LONG COURSE
Long run – uncoached. Follow your specific programs.

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TRI ALLIANCE TRADING POST
We now have an online Trading Post – so if you are buying or selling, make sure you check out what your fellow athletes may be selling or searching to buy….

Triathlon equipment currently selling:

• Thule Bike Rack
• Triple Bike Rack
• Orca MALE Wetsuit
• Orca FEMALE Wetsuit
• Giant Defy Road Bike

CLICK HERE to view our Trading Post