Weekly Transition 9 Dec 2011

Word from the coaches….

What a mammoth week it has been in the Tri Alliance camp. With Ironman Western Australia and 7 of the crew racing – including 4 first time Ironman athletes. With a super hot day, it was always going to be a tough marathon run but credit to each of our athletes everyone came through the finishers chute with a smile on their faces. Whether it was because they had a great race or they were just glad to finish! 🙂 Apparently everyone in Melbourne did nothing all day as they were glued to their computers or iPhone’s keeping up to date on facebook and IronmanLive. Top work to our reporters on the ground. 🙂
A big congratulations to Mark Hyoms who posted the fastest Tri Alliance time in 10:00.45 narrowly missing out on the magical 10hour barrier. And the performance of the day was from first timer Marina who smashed the bike leg, coming off first in the 30-34 age group and held off her competitors to win her age group and secure herself a place at next years World Championships in Kona!! Inspirational. Read our Race Report wrap up here….

Last weekend was also the Anaconda Race in Lorne. From all reports the guys who raced in teams had a great weekend so well done to Berit and David Barton, Dave Nealon, Damien Phelan and Sandii Douglas. Top work guys!

The Sussan Womens Fun Run was also held on the weekend (yes it was a busy weekend!!) well done to all the girls who raced in this great event. Tri Alliance athletes Eleesha Nesci and Steph Lowe were the 5km pace runners and Lisa Dominequez and Cherie Beckingham took on the 10km pace roles and had a fantastic time! Great work girls, those racing appreciated your encouragements!

Xosize Sprint Race
We had a few athletes race at the Sprint race at Mordialloc who came away with some good results. Well done to: Mick Gray – 6th 25-29M, Nathan Sims – 3rd 30-34M, Peter Rainey – 2nd 45-49M. Well done boys – showing up the girls!! 🙂

Good Luck to Nick Sissons who races in this weekend’s Taupo Half IM in preparation for next years Ironman New Zealand. Rumour has it that he is races Saturday, has a Saturday Night flight in time to come back and race Sunday’s Gatorade. So if he’s racing a little gingery on Sunday then you will know why!! 🙂

Our Try-the-Tri’s are in their second week of their 6 week beginner program, you can get to know who they are and where they have come from here…. Keep up the great work guys – you have learnt plenty already, but there is plenty more to learn! 🙂

Welcome to our newest athletes who have joined our squad in the last week including: Buly Cardak, Paul Rafferty, Sandra Boyd and Kate Bannister. Welcome onboard all – we look forward to seeing your training improve and out there racing over the coming months!

Sunday is Race 2 of the Gatorade Series but more importantly the Tri Alliance CHRISTMAS PARTY! Full details on the Xmas Party can be found here. If you didn’t purchase a ticket and would still like to come, please email [email protected] and bring cash along with you on the day. The afternoon kicks off at 3pm, with BBQ being served at 3.30pm and bowls from 4pm. With 85+ people locked in for the afternoon, it’s set to be a cracker of an afternoon! Remember there are raffle prizes up for grabs AND we will be shaving off Paddy’s Beard all in the name of supporting Elwood Life Saving Club. So bring some cash along and go in the draw to win some great prizes!!

Congratulations to athletes Narelle Crooks and Nathan Sims on their recent engagement! Narelle has been with the squad for 2 years and Nathan was dragged down to training by Narelle at the start of this year and both have had some great results during their time with us. They are both a much loved couple in our squad and we are pleased to share this news with them. Congrats guys – exciting time for you both!

________________________________________________________
TRI ALLIANCE OFFICE CLOSURE OVER CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR
Please note the following dates the office is closed over the Christmas/New Year Period. Any communication / correspondance during this time will be via email only and via facebook and the web.
Office closure: Thursday 22 December – Monday 2 January inclusive, returning on Tuesday 3 January. Sessions during this time will run as per the current timetable, full details will be available next week.

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

Sat 10 Dec – Taupo Half IM (Nick Sissons)
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!

________________________________________________________
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

________________________________________________________
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.

________________________________________________________
TRAINING AND RACING THIS WEEKEND

SATURDAY
SHORT COURSE: Saturday’s session will be held at Elwood Beach in our usual spot along side Elwood Lifesaving Club. Bring all swim, bike, run gear.

6.45am – arrive no later than 6.45am to ensure you are ready to start at 7.00am. Grab all swim, bike and run gear out of your car and set-up/leave at our transition.
7.00am – We will complete an easy session and course familiarisation including a light 8-10km ride, easy 2-3km run and a dip in the beach to check out the swim entry/exit etc.
8.30-9.30am – We ask that around 6 athletes assist in helping to set up the Tri Alliance Athlete Marquee (AKA the TA Taj!) We will be looking at 6 different people each race to help share the load – so for those who want to get it out of the way your help would be greatly appreciated! We will also need another 6 on Sunday after the race, so don’t all duck away straight after your race! 🙂
10.00-3.00pm – GIANT TEST RIDES! Giant and CBD Cycles will be at the race venue offering test rides on road and time trial bikes – so if you have been eyeing off a new bike then make sure you get along and check out their new range! I know I will be!
9.30-10.30am – Try-the-Tri Session. Bring all swim/bike/run gear
12.30-1.30pm – Pre Race Tips & Tricks Clinic. Those new to racing, new to the race venue or simply want a refresher on everything you need to remember for race day! Held at the Tri Alliance Marquee on the oval.

Those short course athletes not racing will complete a long run followed by an open water swim OR may choose to do their long ride on Saturday.

LONG COURSE:
6.30am start from Elwood Lifesaving Club. 6.25am for a 6.30am roll out. We will head down to Port Melbourne to begin with. 90-100km moderate paced ride. Enjoy – as next week we head back out in the hills!!! 🙂

________________________________________________________
SUNDAY
NO coached sessions, all coaches will be at the Gatorade / Active Feet Race.
SHORT COURSE:
Race 1 Gatorade & Active Feet Tri Series, Catani Gardens St Kilda.
CLICK HERE for GATORADE race information including wave start times, transition opening/closing timesetc
CLICK HERE for ACTIVE FEET race information including wave start times, transition opening/closing times etc

Remember that at Elwood we can only have one tent at the race – which means half the space as race 1. Let’s hope the rain holds off, otherwise it is going to get VERY cosy in the Taj!! 🙂 Also note there will be NO post race BBQ – as it will be heald at the Chirstmas Party! 🙂

LONG COURSE
Long run – follow your own program, no coached run as all coaches will be at Elwood.

________________________________________________________
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: