After a short six day turn around it was back on the start line once again to tackle another Half Ironman - this time being the Busselton 70.3. After a hard race last weekend at Port Macquarie 70.3 where I finished 2nd, it was all about recovery in an attempt to be right for the race at Busso on Saturday.
Josh and I spent a few extra days in Port Mac chilling out before flying straight over to Perth on the Wednesday and then driving down to Busso. Thursday and Friday were spent doing various promotional events for the TriWA communtity including handing out medals at the junior tri on the Friday arvo. It was great to give something back to the triathlon community and to be a part of the activities with the other pro athletes.
Before we knew it Saturday morning had rolled around and it was ready to race! I was unsure how my body would feel after last week once the pressure was on, but I was ready to give it my all as soon as the gun went.
Once again the girls had a stacked field including Jo Lawn, Belinda Granger and Bec Keat. Just to be racing a against these girls is awesome and I aspire to be as successful as them one day in the future.
I had a great swim and came out with the main pack of girls, however once we hit the bike course I could tell it was going to be a long day - the body wasn't coming to the party! I managed to stick with the girls for the first 30km on the bike but soon found myself in no man's land for the final 60km. I still managed to ride solid though for the rest of the bike and pushed through on the run to finish up 7th Pro Female. I was pretty disappointed once I crossed the finish line, I was hoping for another race like last week, but after putting it into perspective - 2 Half Ironman's in 6 days at 23 years old, I can't expect too much. Over the 2 races I managed to rack up some valuable qualifying points and hopefully after some more good results in the US I will be in that top 30 girls selected to compete at World 70.3 Champs in Vegas.
It has been a great experience these last 10 days learning to live, train, travel and race as a pro athlete. Thanks so much to Josh for letting me hang out with him over the week...I'm sure he's just about had enough of hanging out with his brother's girlfriend!!
For now it's back to Melbourne for a few days of catching up with friends and chilling out before packing up and heading home to Tas for a week and then the US campaign begins!
And finally...after months of deliberation I have gotten on the Twitter bandwagon, I can sense an addiction coming on!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Port Mac 70.3 Race Report - 2nd Pro!
This weekend saw the combined running of the 2011 Port Macquarie 70.3 and Ironman. Having both the events on the same day was a new concept that seemed to work quite well and I'm sure it will continue on in the future.
Port Macquarie was the first 70.3 event I have raced in. After doing well at the long course distance in my past two races I decided to step it up and get a season of 70.3 racing under my belt in an attempt to qualify for the World Champs in Las Vegas in September.
I was fairly nervous going into this race - it was the strongest field I have come up against with names such as Granger, Lawn, Wu, Rollinson and Lester all toeing the start line.
I learnt two things from this race - 1. I don't want to be doing a full Ironman anytime soon...after seeing all those Ironman athletes out on the course today, it definitely looks like the hardest thing to be done!
2. Don't give up...
After posting a good swim I headed out onto the 1 lap 90km bike course with Granger, Wu and Franks. The first few hills combined with the headwind made for super tough riding and I soon found myself spat out the back. It was at this point that I thought my race was over and all those negative thoughts started to creep in. However I soldiered on and started to feel strong again in the second half. With the legs feeling good, I was looking forward to posting a good run time and try to make up some ground.
Heading out onto the 2 lap 21.1km run I had no idea what place I was in, but soon heard feedback from the crowd that I was in around about 5th place. This was a lot better than expected and gave me the confidence to give it my all on the run and try to chase down the girls in front. I was feeling good so stepped up the pace and managed to pick up a few places, and eventually crossed the finish line in 2nd place pro female, behind winner Jo Lawn.
I was really pleased with this result. The aim was to put in a performance that was respectable and I believe I have achieved that today. This result gives me the confidence that I can mix it with the pro field and it will set me up for a great year in the US. I have so much more to learn and so much more strength to gain, so this is all just the beginning and I can't wait to give it all I've got in the coming years.
A huge thanks to Darrel and Sonia Nash for their awesome hospitality while in Port, as well as all the supporters out on the course including Dan, Pat and Allison. Also to my sponsors Malvern Star, Brooks, Giro, Selle SMP and Peak Bike Hub.
Once again the biggest thanks to my coach Josh Rix...I will be forever grateful of the countless hours he is putting into training me, it's all starting to pay off :)
It's a quick turn around this week, with Busselton 70.3 in 6 days time. If I can get my body right then it should be an exciting race!
Port Macquarie was the first 70.3 event I have raced in. After doing well at the long course distance in my past two races I decided to step it up and get a season of 70.3 racing under my belt in an attempt to qualify for the World Champs in Las Vegas in September.
I was fairly nervous going into this race - it was the strongest field I have come up against with names such as Granger, Lawn, Wu, Rollinson and Lester all toeing the start line.
I learnt two things from this race - 1. I don't want to be doing a full Ironman anytime soon...after seeing all those Ironman athletes out on the course today, it definitely looks like the hardest thing to be done!
2. Don't give up...
After posting a good swim I headed out onto the 1 lap 90km bike course with Granger, Wu and Franks. The first few hills combined with the headwind made for super tough riding and I soon found myself spat out the back. It was at this point that I thought my race was over and all those negative thoughts started to creep in. However I soldiered on and started to feel strong again in the second half. With the legs feeling good, I was looking forward to posting a good run time and try to make up some ground.
Heading out onto the 2 lap 21.1km run I had no idea what place I was in, but soon heard feedback from the crowd that I was in around about 5th place. This was a lot better than expected and gave me the confidence to give it my all on the run and try to chase down the girls in front. I was feeling good so stepped up the pace and managed to pick up a few places, and eventually crossed the finish line in 2nd place pro female, behind winner Jo Lawn.
I was really pleased with this result. The aim was to put in a performance that was respectable and I believe I have achieved that today. This result gives me the confidence that I can mix it with the pro field and it will set me up for a great year in the US. I have so much more to learn and so much more strength to gain, so this is all just the beginning and I can't wait to give it all I've got in the coming years.
A huge thanks to Darrel and Sonia Nash for their awesome hospitality while in Port, as well as all the supporters out on the course including Dan, Pat and Allison. Also to my sponsors Malvern Star, Brooks, Giro, Selle SMP and Peak Bike Hub.
Once again the biggest thanks to my coach Josh Rix...I will be forever grateful of the countless hours he is putting into training me, it's all starting to pay off :)
It's a quick turn around this week, with Busselton 70.3 in 6 days time. If I can get my body right then it should be an exciting race!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
WEEK 16 - Short and Sweet
This weeks blog is going to be short and sweet. Partly because I actually forgot it was Sunday and partly because I am about to fall asleep as I type this (and it's only 8.53pm!)
Today was the first Easter I spent without Mum and Dad, which is sad (however I'm sure I will survive), but sadder still is the fact that it is the first year I didn't have an easter egg hunt (which could potentially be sad considering I am 23 years old!). Anyway Easter has come and gone, AND we still have two more days of holidays which is a bonus!
After putting in some gut busting training sessions over the past few months I am looking forward to an easier week of training, before heading up to race Port Macquarie 70.3 (May 1) and Busselton 70.3 (May 7). I have a love-hate relationship with the 'taper' week. I love to have the chance to sleep more and give my body a little break, however the extra time I have gives me extra time to think and extra time for the nerves to build. However it'll be a good week as long as I stay happy, healthy and injury free :)
I am looking forward to competing against some of the best Aussie girls in 70.3 racing at both Port and Busso. It's going to be a huge learning curve for me, especially trying to back up for Busso within 6 days. However, I am looking forward to the challenge. After Busso it's back to Melb for a few days then back home to Tassie for a week (cannot wait!) then over to the US. Woo.
In other new, I was in Malvern Star head office this week and had a sneak peak at next season's Oppy C7...looks AWESOME!!
Until next time,
Grandfinal replay Tuesday 2.40pm at the G!
Today was the first Easter I spent without Mum and Dad, which is sad (however I'm sure I will survive), but sadder still is the fact that it is the first year I didn't have an easter egg hunt (which could potentially be sad considering I am 23 years old!). Anyway Easter has come and gone, AND we still have two more days of holidays which is a bonus!
After putting in some gut busting training sessions over the past few months I am looking forward to an easier week of training, before heading up to race Port Macquarie 70.3 (May 1) and Busselton 70.3 (May 7). I have a love-hate relationship with the 'taper' week. I love to have the chance to sleep more and give my body a little break, however the extra time I have gives me extra time to think and extra time for the nerves to build. However it'll be a good week as long as I stay happy, healthy and injury free :)
I am looking forward to competing against some of the best Aussie girls in 70.3 racing at both Port and Busso. It's going to be a huge learning curve for me, especially trying to back up for Busso within 6 days. However, I am looking forward to the challenge. After Busso it's back to Melb for a few days then back home to Tassie for a week (cannot wait!) then over to the US. Woo.
In other new, I was in Malvern Star head office this week and had a sneak peak at next season's Oppy C7...looks AWESOME!!
Until next time,
Grandfinal replay Tuesday 2.40pm at the G!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
WEEK 15 - Picture blog time!!
This week I have decided to do another picture blog. Now, I know that Mum dislikes the whole 'picture blog' idea...but as someone important once said, a picture tells a thousand words! So have a scroll through to see what I've been up to for the week :)
Monday: Rainy start to the week...
...but a perfect day for smashing out a rippa session on the trainer!
Tuesday: 5.08am alarm to be in the pool by 5.30am...
...followed by a little study
Wednesday: The killer session of the week. Never look forward to doing it, but once done, feels awesome! Run: 8x2km...phew
Thursday: Perfect day for a Kinglake ride...
...Sam chilling out before the climb...
...and having a little stretch...
...reward at the top. Kinglake Bakery you rock!
Friday: Took my brand spanking new Brooks for a trot.
Saturday: Poor Sam, I somehow roped him into seeing the Justin Bieber movie. It was truly AMAZING!!
Sunday arvo: Doing a little dog sitting at the moment. I think Scruffy is the one taking me for a walk!
Glad I'm not swimming in the bay this weekend...a little filthy!
Sunday arvo:Mary Poppins sing-a-long at the Astor Theatre...Sam loved this one!!
Monday: Rainy start to the week...
...but a perfect day for smashing out a rippa session on the trainer!
Tuesday: 5.08am alarm to be in the pool by 5.30am...
...followed by a little study
Wednesday: The killer session of the week. Never look forward to doing it, but once done, feels awesome! Run: 8x2km...phew
Thursday: Perfect day for a Kinglake ride...
...Sam chilling out before the climb...
...and having a little stretch...
...reward at the top. Kinglake Bakery you rock!
Friday: Took my brand spanking new Brooks for a trot.
Saturday: Poor Sam, I somehow roped him into seeing the Justin Bieber movie. It was truly AMAZING!!
Sunday arvo: Doing a little dog sitting at the moment. I think Scruffy is the one taking me for a walk!
Glad I'm not swimming in the bay this weekend...a little filthy!
Sunday arvo:Mary Poppins sing-a-long at the Astor Theatre...Sam loved this one!!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
WEEK 14 - Procrastinating Ways...
If there were to be an award for the best procrastinator I think I would take the cake hands down. Since starting back study, I have been reunited with my procrastinating ways. It has been over 5 years since I first went to Uni and discovered the many forms of procrastination from study, and I can honestly say that at this very moment, I am in my prime.
I am currently supposed to be writing an assignment. The topic being Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: the case for and against the supplementation of infant formula. As riveting as this topic could potentially be...I am at the books for literally no longer than 10 minutes before I find a new activity to consume my thoughts.
I find myself doing anything just to get out of writing an assignment. As I sat down at my desk this morning I envisaged a full day of study and a completed assignment at the end. However prior to even opening a book I made sure I had got a coffee, done the washing, cleaned my room, ran a loooong way, checked Facebook, read other peoples blogs, watched the Sunday Footy Show, checked Facebook again, made lunch, made a second lunch, went and got another coffee, looked at the weekend's race results from across the globe, looked at the week's weather, looked at the radar and searched the Internet for pointless facts such as 'where is the closest library?' (as I somehow believe that if I were to sit in a library then I would be more productive).
It is an extremely annoying trait that I possess and I do believe that if this procrastination gene were to be absent in my DNA then I would be straight A student on the way to becoming the next Nobel prize winner. However, due to reasons beyond my control I am unable to focus on study thoughts for extended periods of time and as such I find myself sitting here writing a blog, thinking about getting the washing off the line and planning a full day of study for tomorrow!
I am currently supposed to be writing an assignment. The topic being Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: the case for and against the supplementation of infant formula. As riveting as this topic could potentially be...I am at the books for literally no longer than 10 minutes before I find a new activity to consume my thoughts.
I find myself doing anything just to get out of writing an assignment. As I sat down at my desk this morning I envisaged a full day of study and a completed assignment at the end. However prior to even opening a book I made sure I had got a coffee, done the washing, cleaned my room, ran a loooong way, checked Facebook, read other peoples blogs, watched the Sunday Footy Show, checked Facebook again, made lunch, made a second lunch, went and got another coffee, looked at the weekend's race results from across the globe, looked at the week's weather, looked at the radar and searched the Internet for pointless facts such as 'where is the closest library?' (as I somehow believe that if I were to sit in a library then I would be more productive).
It is an extremely annoying trait that I possess and I do believe that if this procrastination gene were to be absent in my DNA then I would be straight A student on the way to becoming the next Nobel prize winner. However, due to reasons beyond my control I am unable to focus on study thoughts for extended periods of time and as such I find myself sitting here writing a blog, thinking about getting the washing off the line and planning a full day of study for tomorrow!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
WEEK 13 - Getting to the Ground
Apologies for the delayed blog...but true to my word, since Hawthorn played in the Sunday twilight match I gave myself a self appointed Sunday blog free day. As such I find myself blogging on this Monday morning after Hawthorn gave Melbourne a right shellacking!
As Sam and I were making the trek back to the car after yesterday's game I was racking my brain as to what to blog about this week, when it suddenly came to me.
I love going to the footy, I really do. However the one thing that I loathe about football at the G is trying to get to the ground. There are four main criteria that I am looking for when making the trek to the MCG.
1. Minimal walking
2. Minimal cost
3. Minimal time
4. Minimal inconvenience
The way I see it, there are approximately four ways to get to the ground. Each form of travel has it's positive and negatives, and as such I am constantly trying to find the mode which is the most efficient.
The first form of travel is that of the public transport variety. However the thought of cramming onto a crowded train/tram in peak hour footy crowds really does not score number 1 on my list. Plus trying to get to the train/tram stop is an issue in it's self. Do I walk, do I ride or do I drive (which really does defeat the purpose of catching public transport in the first place). It is however cost effective, but that would have to be the only positive on that front.
The second mode involves driving and parking out the front of the ground. This is by far my most preferred form of travel as it involves minimal walking which is top on my list. However, it does involve cost and, as I learnt on the way to yesterday's game it also does entail maximum inconvenience, being that of traffic (I could write a years worth of blogs entirely on how to alleviate Melbourne ever growing traffic wars...however that is another story). Therefore this type of travel is also eliminated.
The third mode of transport, and quite possibly the most sensible would be riding to the ground. Premo parking out the front, tick. No cost, tick. No walking, tick. And relatively time efficient, tick. However since I don't own a commuter bike, this form is unfortunately crossed off the list.
The fourth mode of transport is what I took to Friday night's game and yesterday's game by default (as I was planning on going with no. 2, but because of the associated traffic issues, this was promptly eliminated). Whilst this form doesn't score 100% in each of the checklist criteria, I would have to say it is scores a consistent 50% across the board and therefore at this stage will just have to do. It involves driving to the Tan and parking, therefore eliminating the traffic issues around the G and the parking fee at the ground. Then it involves making the 20 minute walk to the ground. Although as Sam can attest to, I'm not very good at walking and I do tend to complain a fair bit. However at this stage it seems to be the best option. It's not quite convenient but I wouldn't say it's inconvenient. It isn't lightning quick, but it doesn't take forever. It does involve a fair hike, but that gives me time to come up with a blog topic and ponder the issues of the world. And it is cost effective...except if you are to get a parking ticket and that would really throw this theory into disarray! So for now, this is the form of travel that I will stick to and hopefully it continues to bring good fortune to the mighty Hawks!
Until next time,
Carn the Hawks!!
As Sam and I were making the trek back to the car after yesterday's game I was racking my brain as to what to blog about this week, when it suddenly came to me.
I love going to the footy, I really do. However the one thing that I loathe about football at the G is trying to get to the ground. There are four main criteria that I am looking for when making the trek to the MCG.
1. Minimal walking
2. Minimal cost
3. Minimal time
4. Minimal inconvenience
The way I see it, there are approximately four ways to get to the ground. Each form of travel has it's positive and negatives, and as such I am constantly trying to find the mode which is the most efficient.
The first form of travel is that of the public transport variety. However the thought of cramming onto a crowded train/tram in peak hour footy crowds really does not score number 1 on my list. Plus trying to get to the train/tram stop is an issue in it's self. Do I walk, do I ride or do I drive (which really does defeat the purpose of catching public transport in the first place). It is however cost effective, but that would have to be the only positive on that front.
The second mode involves driving and parking out the front of the ground. This is by far my most preferred form of travel as it involves minimal walking which is top on my list. However, it does involve cost and, as I learnt on the way to yesterday's game it also does entail maximum inconvenience, being that of traffic (I could write a years worth of blogs entirely on how to alleviate Melbourne ever growing traffic wars...however that is another story). Therefore this type of travel is also eliminated.
The third mode of transport, and quite possibly the most sensible would be riding to the ground. Premo parking out the front, tick. No cost, tick. No walking, tick. And relatively time efficient, tick. However since I don't own a commuter bike, this form is unfortunately crossed off the list.
The fourth mode of transport is what I took to Friday night's game and yesterday's game by default (as I was planning on going with no. 2, but because of the associated traffic issues, this was promptly eliminated). Whilst this form doesn't score 100% in each of the checklist criteria, I would have to say it is scores a consistent 50% across the board and therefore at this stage will just have to do. It involves driving to the Tan and parking, therefore eliminating the traffic issues around the G and the parking fee at the ground. Then it involves making the 20 minute walk to the ground. Although as Sam can attest to, I'm not very good at walking and I do tend to complain a fair bit. However at this stage it seems to be the best option. It's not quite convenient but I wouldn't say it's inconvenient. It isn't lightning quick, but it doesn't take forever. It does involve a fair hike, but that gives me time to come up with a blog topic and ponder the issues of the world. And it is cost effective...except if you are to get a parking ticket and that would really throw this theory into disarray! So for now, this is the form of travel that I will stick to and hopefully it continues to bring good fortune to the mighty Hawks!
Until next time,
Carn the Hawks!!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Week 12 - Bright!
After having a few days off training at the start of the week we headed up to Bright for a few days of riding, running and relaxing. Blue skies, sun, mountains and bikes...couldn't ask for much more!!
Pink sky at night...woo!!
Only 52km to go...
The boys up the road.
The Hoth!!
Views from the top of Hotham.
Hotham Village.
The trusty stead!!
The Brewery.
Ovens River.
Dinner!
In other news, I have just posted up the 2011 racing schedule (www.madeleineoldfield.com)...bring it on!!
Pink sky at night...woo!!
Only 52km to go...
The boys up the road.
The Hoth!!
Views from the top of Hotham.
Hotham Village.
The trusty stead!!
The Brewery.
Ovens River.
Dinner!
In other news, I have just posted up the 2011 racing schedule (www.madeleineoldfield.com)...bring it on!!
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