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CHALLENGE MELBOURNE
Well that was a Challenge as the name suggests! For those who raced in some of the worst conditions Melbourne could muster big congratulations across the board. Everyone had been looking at the weather hoping the forecasts were wrong like they often are but this time it was bang on. A couple of big storms rolled through late Saturday afternoon setting the tone for what was going to be a tough day Sunday. On arrival athletes huddled in the Taj to get away from the rain thunder and lightening....with a slightly delayed start we thankfully got underway with the full swim course. A different swim and under the pier was the good part before getting onto a wet and extremely windy bike course. Many had not experienced quite this much but it is why we should go out in almost all conditions as it could and did happen come race day. The weather as much as we bang on about it is uncontrollable - we just have to deal with it and not let it beat us or get un mentally. Experience and confidence over time helps overcome these Challenges but take heart that it affects everyone even the Pro's.
The conditions aside there were some very fast and great results across the squad. The camaraderie shown and the amount of those not racing who down to support was fantastic. From first timers to old hands we had 50 athletes racing across both the Half distance and Sprint.
Special Mentions:
Challenge Melbourne
- Michelle Leason - 1st Female AG and 6th Female overall in 4:41
- Nathan Sims - 8th AG in 4:23
- Kat Henderson - 8th AG in 5:12
- Chris Lewis - First Half Distance in 4:50
- Trea Gherardin - 8th AG in 5:13
Challenge Sprint
- Jo Grey - 1st AG
- Tammara Hammond - 2nd AG
- Rachel Madden - 3rd AG
- Stephen Bond - 2nd AG
- Scott D'Aucourt - 3rd AG
- Gary Rosengarten - 3rd AG
- Laia P Bolta - 3rd AG
The team and coaches are proud of each and everyone who took part and has trained hard over the past few months towards this race. Even if you did not quite hit your goal or race target you got out there and gave it what you had. There is always another race and there will always be positives from parts of the race that went well. Now take some time to relax, recover and reflect on where you where when you started the season or race campaign and think about what is next....
With Social Media being a flood with photos, stories and experiences please keep sharing and congratulating each other on what was a great group of training buddies working toward the race. Watching some finish together, out sprinting their mates or sharing a post race beer (the soup was better!!) with their towel and medal was great to see and we look forward to doing it all again at the next race.
For a full run down of all the results check out the Challenge Melbourne Site here.
RECOVERY MONTH
For those athletes who have now finished racing for the season it is very important that you take the time to recover. Even though attending sessions dial the intensity back in order for your body to rest and adapt from a hard long season. Sessions will revert to a much easier and relaxed format (apart from those few who are racing Cairns and Port Mac). This is a perfect time for those niggles and sore muscles to get better so that come base training in May you are good to go. April is recovery month so ensure you do this - listen to your body and if you have any questions please chat with your coach.
As with previous years we will be having Latte rides each Saturday for those who have finished racing. These will be much shorter social occasions with a stop or two for coffee and cake.
After a few non-starters for Funday Sundays in April last year we are not organising anything specific but encourage you to head out and do something different. In the past we have gone stand up paddles boarding, rock climbing, mountain biking, walking (who'd have thought!) or just going for a nice long breakie! Please post suggestions or let us know if you want to organise a particular activity for athletes
SHOTZ BARS SPECIAL
We have 4 x boxes of Shotz bars (15 in a box) that expire this month going for $20 each (normally $30). 2 x sticky date and 2 x chocolate mint. Email us or call the office to snag yourself a box before they go. . |
