Syracuse 70.3 Race Report

Today was the final race of my 2011 US season – Syracuse 70.3. I knew backing up from World Champs 70.3 just 7 days ago was going to be tough…but I underestimated just how tough it would actually be!

Mum and I flew from Vegas to Syracuse on Wednesday. It was nice to have a few extra days to chill out in Syracuse before race day on Sunday. We had a great homestay with fellow pro athlete Kristen White and her two children Maggie and Phoebe. I did very little training during the week, just the odd swim, bike and run to keep the muscles moving.

Raced day eventually rolled around. I was feeling pretty good and not too sore from last week. Syracuse was a lot cooler than Vegas…with a 20 degree temp difference on race morning. The field was once again stacked with the likes of Nikki Butterfield, Caroline Steffen and Sam Wariner all racing (who ended up 1, 2, and 3).

I had a great swim exiting the water with the lead girl, and then headed out on to the bike in 1st place. However, that was the highlight of my day. From about 30km into the bike I started to really feel the effects of last week and struggled my way to the finish. I ended up crossing the line in 9th place and was the most exhausted I have been...not my finest hours!



In the past year I’ve done 10 half ironman’s so it is well and truly time for a break. For the next few weeks I’m going to sleep lots, eat lots and do anything that doesn’t involve a pair of bathers, a bike or running shoes!

A huge congrats to my coach Josh Rix for placing a stellar 3rd at Syracuse! Thank you so much to Kristin, Maggie and Phoebe for providing a great homestay. Huge thankyou to my Mum for travelling with me and for her cheering with Jemma Rix. Once again, big thanks to my sponsors Malvern Star, Peak Bike Hub, Giro, Selle SMP and Brooks.

For now it’s off to New York for an end of season trip (with Mum!) and then back to Boulder for a few days, before heading back to Aus to watch Hawthorn in the GF!