I was pretty pumped to race tho a few little injuries had caused a bit of grief to training the last month leading up to Noosa, it was a matter of fingers crossed and lets hope all the hard work id done earlier on would get me across the line in a good position.
It got me across the line in an ok position, though honestly I felt pretty garbage, and it was pretty evident once i got out there, the effect that the last few months of up and down training had taken on my form. None the less, a very unfriendly early start to the day (6.30!!) saw the elites plunge into the canal to kick start the race for the next few hours of athletes constantly streaming into the water.
A terrible swim for me, even by my already aquatically challenged standards meant the race was cut out for quite hard work already! Stoked to be out on a non drafting race for once though I was ready to hit the bike and make up some ground. Super excited for the challenging bike with its "MASSIVE" hill I had heard so much hype about this, excitement disintergrated pretty rapidly with the hill being nothing more than a long bump in the road, and no where near as big and scary as I had concocted in my head! I also decided that a TT bike will be my next investment! Can't wait to try one out and feel the speed!
Anyhow, an average bike leg saw me catch up a few places, and get passed by Melissa Rollinson who went flying past like a steam train on her way to the victory! I would love to say I could have tried to go with her, but she went past like the rest of us were standing still! Finally at the end of the bike leg I had moved up into 5th and ready to brave the run.
I struggled on the run in Noosa, felling somewhat technically retarded and unco, those surpisingly fitnesswise felt fine! I caught Lisa Marangong early on in the run and that would be where I would stay. The lead girls were just to far out of sight to chase down. With spectators lining teh streets and athletes a buzz everywhere the finish chute was a great one to run into for the last time this season. Finishing up 4th, not quite what I had hoped orginially, but with the ups and downs in the lead up, thats just the way it was! Great atmosphere, great race, great fun, and a great way to cap off the year!..Its fair to say I'll be keen to toddle back on over to Noosa for a sequel!
Top 3 girls ended up with Melissa Rollinson 1st, Emma Jackson 2nd, and Kate McIlroy 3rd,
The mens race was taken out by Dave Dellow, followed by Paul Matthews then Jimmy Seear coming in 3rd.
