AMBASSADOR BLOG – JAN AVERY-SPOOR

It’s been a few months since my last Blog and a very busy time as well. The triathlon season is in full swing and over the last few months I have been privileged to be part of the tri Alliance coaching team.

Helping coach our December beginner group and then watching them finish their first triathlon was inspiring and once again we are now just about to watch our next group of beginners graduate with their race at Raby Bay.

There seems to be no end to races and of course Mooloolaba is only a few weeks away. For me Mooloolaba is one of my favourite races, you just never know what the conditions will be like and these last few weeks of good, solid training are always fun!

Ten years on and I still get excited about racing. I put this down to not rushing head on into the sport with mammoth expectations with distance or events. There is so much to gain from every race and training session that I find I’m still learning even after all this time.

Reflecting on my first few enticer races I really didn’t have a clue on how to race at all, including how to ride a bike properly and stay hydrated. That’s why I’m still a big fan of the short course racing; its a great platform for all distance races and you get to experience all course and weather conditions. It’s great practice for learning to race in the wet, or in extreme heat as some of the races so far this season have shown us. If you love triathlon you will love racing all distances and in all different conditions – because at the end of the day, it’s about having fun.

I really can’t remember how many sprint or Olympic distance races I have done. What I do know, is it took me 5 years before I did my first Half Ironman in 2008 and another 2 years before I did another Half Ironman. At the time I decided I needed a new challenge, the thought of the distance was daunting and still is.

The best advice that I can offer is that when you make your race choices, ensure they are yours and that you know what you will need to put in throughout the lead up. Long-course is a volume commitment! I have taken many positives from long course racing, and I know that I was wise to take my time.

We can all do the distance, the only challenge we may face is whether our bodies are ready to take on the volume of training? I’ve found that after each season as athletes we have a stronger base for the next season. It makes sense that if I have been training and racing for a year, I’m not really going to have a large fitness base to race long distances.

I liken this to running 3-5k fun runs for a year then entering the Melbourne marathon! So my advice to any training buddies out there is; to take your time, enjoy the shorter stuff, make the transition to longer racing a gradual one and make your transition to long-course an educated one. Don’t be afraid to ask yourself whether you are able to commit to the volume of training.

After all of that, you will be surprised that I have now after 4 years, once again I have signed up for Challenge Gold Coast  in August. I know that it is not going to be easy, especially the volume of training that’s required at nearly 60 years of age. I have not embarked on a new long course career, but I see this as more of a challenge and a great new race to experience. I know that I will always stay with short course as its fun and I get to share these race days with fantastic squad members and supporters.

Finally good luck to everyone who is racing at Mooloolaba, I will give you a cheer or an encouraging word out there on the race course. Remember, we are part of this sport because it brings us so much; great friends, amazing races and training days. Stay safe!

Jan