Week 11 - Gatorade Tri Series Race #6 - St kilda

Today was the final round of the 2010/11 Gatorade Triathlon Series held at St Kilda. Melbourne turned on the weather and for once we couldn't have asked for better conditions.

It has taken me most of the week to recover from last weeks race at Huskison. For the majority of the week I have felt pretty flat and the legs have seen better days. However, I was still looking to put in a solid performance in today's race and to ensure that I got the series win for the 2010/11 Gatorade Triathlon Series.

The race was set to be a cracker with the likes of Olympian Erin Densham toeing the start line. I knew the key for me would be the swim - if I wanted to be in the mix I had to be out in that first pack on the bike.



I had one of my best swims to date and headed out onto the bike course in 2nd position, where we soon formed a strong lead pack of four girls. We all rode well together and came into T2 about 45sec up on the 2nd pack. I had a great transition and got out onto the run course in equal first with Densham, where she soon set a cracking pace that unfortunately I couldn't hold onto. I still ran well though and crossed the line in 2nd place Elite Female. This result was enough to take the series win in the Elite Female category and to round out my best summer seasons to date, which has included four 1sts and one 2nd in the 2010/11 Gatorade Triathlon Series, 1st Pro Female at the 2011 Falls Creek Victorian Long Course Champs, 3rd Pro Female at the 2011 Australian Long Course Champs and 5th Pro Female at the 2010 Shepparton Half Ironman.

I couldn't have asked for a better summer - I have found a level of consistency that I haven't had in previous seasons. All the hard work is starting to pay off and I am looking forward to a big season in the States this year.

I have almost finalised my race calendar for the 2011 US season and will post it up on my website shortly (www.madeleineoldfield.com).

This week is going to be a pretty cruisey week, with lots of sleep and not much training for a change!! I am heading up to Bright at the end of the week to recharge the batteries before getting back into it all.

Thanks to all who supported me over the summer including all of my sponsors as well as Mum, Dad, Sam and my coach Josh Rix. It has been an awesome ride and I am still loving every minute of it!!