Well, I just got back from a killer brick session out at centennial park, and I feel that with club champs fast approaching I could share a few tips and tricks I’ve picked up from my time racing both at Foster and in the development pathway. Fingers crossed you learn something that can help you conquer the course and get the club some points.

1. Wetsuits - Wetsuits are great for the swim at club champs, especially as the water will be cooling down and the buoyancy they provide gives you a nice boost. However, make sure that if you plan to wear a wetsuit you try it out well before you get up to Foster, as some wetsuits can restrict your shoulder rotation, and this may give you a hard time. The other consideration with wetsuits is they can be difficult to rip off in transition. A sneaky trick I picked up from racing in the development pathway is that rubbing oil around the wrists and ankles of your wetsuit makes it much easier to pull off quickly in transition. This can be anything from baby oils to vegetable oils, and make sure to get both the inside and outside of the wetsuit so you can rip it off in a flash.
2. To sock or not to sock – that is the question:For the speedsters out there looking to gain every precious second in transition going sockless is a no brainer. However, I’ve always chosen to wear socks at club champs. It’s not a draft legal race so you won’t miss out on any packs, and generally I’ve found the extra 5 or so seconds taken in transition are well worth the comfort, blister protection, and extra opportunity to boast the club colours. Furthermore, the asphalt in the transition area can be quite rough, so socks provide an added layer of protection coming off the bike. If you do plan on wearing socks, then make sure you get some Warringah socks and wear them on the correct feet! They should alternate with the arm and leg colours. Here is the beginning of my modelling career for the correct sock etiquette.
3. Tinted goggles - I’m sure many of you are familiar with the feeling of being completely lost during the swim leg. Looking up only to see the blazing sun, before trying to follow similarly blinded competitors as you zig zag your way in the general direction of a buoy you think you remember. Whilst tinted goggles may not completely eradicate navigational errors, they sure help save your retinas from a blasting. If you have a pair of tinted goggles, make sure you bring them, but also assess the conditions on the morning of the race to see if they will work better. If the clouds roll in then clear goggles may be a better option.
4. The bike course - For at least the past 2 years the bike course is HILLY! In each of the three laps there are a few steep pinches and undulating terrain which make it difficult to make full use of time trial style bikes. Many of the top racers tend towards road bikes to tackle the more technical terrain. Leading into the race check to see if the bike course features sharp turns and hill, and if so maybe consider taking the roadie instead.
5. Your watch - Yes, STRAVA is an important aspect of every triathlete's life, but too many times I’ve seen people stop their watch just before the finish line only to be passed by another competitor. Similarly, lapping your watch in and out of transition can wait till you're safely on the bike or onto your run leg. Generally I race without the watch so you can focus on what is happening around you and not get sucked into pace goals.
6. Finally if you plan on trying out anything new especially gear, tactics, or strategies in transition make sure you have a practice before you head up to Foster so you know that it will be sweet come race day.

 

​Currently, I’m training for the Oceania Junior triathlon champs in Werribee, where I will go toe to toe with some of the quickest juniors in the region. It’s going to be fast and furious the whole way so I’ve been smashing out some training. Here is a photo dad snapped of me coming home after a training ride, and I thought my new catfish cycling kit was too good to leave out of this blog.