Geelong 70.3

February 12, 2010

On Sunday February 7th it was the third time Geelong has held the 70.3 Ironman event.
It was strange for neither Kristian or I to be racing. We traveled bike-free, and even considered talking our surfboards! But the swell report was bad…

So we were there for the Expo and Trigger Point Performance Therapy . Kristian loves a chat, and loves to help people. He also had 7 athletes who he coaches racing- so a busy weekend, but a lot of fun.

Kristian shows Kel how to treat his ITB

Tiff and Eliza from Australian Triathlete Mag

Geelong the day before the race...great spot for spectating

This is the first time I've ever seen a laughter club in action

Proud coach Kristian

Kirsten Gorman has come such a long way from when she first started as a triathlete, it’s really exciting to watch her progress. I know Kristian is really proud of her. This was the first time in a half where she has run the entire 21kms- WooHoo! finishing 6th in her age group and a massive 15 minute PB.

Swim start, and the winds miraculously dropped.

The main age group field exiting the water

Geelong turned on a beautiful day for racing

And it was perfect for us spectators too! Who likes standing in the rain?

must have been tempting...

Neil Franks, happy after a great race

Michael Chinki Baker, has he done enough to win the series??

It was great to cheer friends on- especially since I’m usually the receiver! I hope I’m a good cheerer! I know what I like to hear, and try to think carefully about what to say…some people receive encouragement better than others:)
There was some awesome performances out there…hard to name names- everyone has their own personal goals, and achievements are all relative. Out of Kristian’s 7 athletes, 4 achieved PBs- awesome! I know it gives Kristian huge satisfaction when his athletes go well. And he shares their disappointment when they don’t…it’s tough! Their days will come…

After the race we scooted off to relax for the night in Torquay- just 30 mins south from Geelong. I think it marks the start of the Great Ocean Road, and the coastline is just magnificent! I’m glad that on our third trip to Geelong we finally made it the extra 30 mins to see this.
Watching the sun still setting in Torquay after 8pm I realized that there is just the one thing that the Sunny Coast doesn’t have that I wish it did- long summer evenings!- But that’s it:)

Torquay

Torquay at sunset

On Monday morning we went for one of the most memorable runs I’ve ever done. We ran for nearly 90 mins on a track along the coastline that was just perfect under foot and great views. It’s not often you get both! There was hardly a soul around, the sun was rising…I was in heaven.