Husky Long Course 2013

The Elite Energy Huskisson Triathlon Festival has become one of Australia's most loved and iconic races on the triathlon calendar. Set amongst the shores of Jervis Bay on the south coast of NSW (about 3 hours south of Sydney), I was excited to make my debut in the Long Course event which consisted of a 2km swim, 83km ride and 20km run (just shy of a Half Ironman). I hadn't competed in a long course race since Ironman (May, 2012) but having competed in the sprint distance event at Husky for the last two years, I decided it was time to take the plunge. After all, everyone who I spoke to said they loved the course and I knew a lot of people were going to be training for it, so I signed up. I'm such a sucker for giving in to peer pressure!

Approximately 100 people from Balmoral Triathlon Club (BTC) descended on Husky for a weekend of racing, along with about 1300 other athletes from various clubs around the state.. There was a 1km ocean swim on the Friday, the men's and women's sprint race on the Saturday morning, a fun run on the Saturday afternoon and the Long Course race on Sunday. If you weren't racing, you could relax on the beach or have a few drinks at the famous Husky Pub. I always love Husky weekend because there really is something for everyone.

I went into the race feeling very relaxed about the whole thing which worked for me in some ways, but unfortunately not in others. For most of you that know me, I don't take myself too seriously. I don't stress too much about hitting times and I feel like I have done that many races that I don't even get nervous anymore. I think this has a lot to do with expectations. Don't get me wrong, I like pushing myself as hard as I can, to see what my body is capable of, but I am not motivated by pressure to perform. At the end of the day it's just a race and I do this sport for fun. Anything else is just a bonus. 

The reality of the distance didn't really hit me until a few days before. I couldn't find anyone to cover my group fitness classes that week so I went into the weekend with some pretty tired legs. For those of you that attend Les Mills classes on a regular basis, you will know that an instructor cannot just stand there and tell people what to do. They are physically involved in the class from start to finish. In hindsight, I should have been a little more organised but there was nothing I could do about it now, except have a massage and stretch. I'm not making excuses by any means, as this was purely my fault. Unfortunately, working is also a priority for most of us, because we all know triathlon is not the cheapest sport in the world!

Our group stayed in a beautiful house located about 5kms out of town in Hyams Beach; home to the whitest sand in the world. I don't think I have ever been to a more beautiful beach. The water was clear as crystal. We spent the day checking out all the action in town and after racking our bikes, we got back to the house and enjoyed a lovely carbo dinner with the team, including Reidy, Bacon and Quinn (the Bondi Rescue boys) who are currently training for their first Ironman. Top blokes.

We were lucky enough to watch our friends do the Sprint Distance race on Saturday morning which was massive for the motivation levels. I was fired up and ready to go! But not before the first drama of the day; my gear shifter on the bike stopped working. I had gone for a spin and there was no resistance to put it into the big chain ring. At first, I was stressing out big time. Thoughts going through my mind already about what I was going to do if I couldn't get it fixed; would I pull out of the race? The Shimano mechanics worked their magic on Argy Bargy and were able to fix it within minutes. Problem #1 – solved! 

I was in the second wave which was 2 hours after the first wave had started, to help prevent congestion out on the course. On the plus side, that meant a sleep-in but on the downside, it also meant running during the hottest part of the day. I arrived in transition and realised not only did I forget to pack a transition towel (had to use a plastic bag which was later removed) but the velcro strap I borrowed to hold my aero bottle in was too small. Crap! Thankfully Coach Mel's bike was directly opposite mine and she came to the rescue with strapping tape, which ended up working a treat. Phew. Problem #2 – solved! One day, I will take this racing business a bit more seriously. I'm usually not this disorganised (I even packed my race gear the night before).

THE SWIM - 2KM

The water was beautiful; about 21 degrees so wetsuits were optional. Coach Mel was there to tell me where to go – it was a triangular loop that was marked out with 3 large orange buoys and you had to do the loop twice. There was a green buoy at the start/finish which I thought you had to swim back to before doing the second lap. Luckily Mel was there to tell me I only had to go to the green buoy to finish. I really need to listen at race briefing a little more!

I managed to get to the front of my age group at the swim start so I could get away from the washing machine in the first 200m. I'm not the fastest swimmer by any means, but I just hate starting with people in front of me because I don't want to get kicked in the face as soon as the gun goes off. My plan was, and always is, to just get through the swim; it is probably my weakest and least favourite leg and I am always so relieved when it's over. The 40-44 women were 10 mins behind us and the 30-34 men 10 mins after that so I knew the top age groupers would be overtaking me by the second lap. I got slammed a few times but tried to not let it bother me too much and just kept swimming.

SWIM TIME – 37m 28s (5^th fastest transition time in T1 – ha!)

THE BIKE - 83KM

I got out of the water and ran past a few people into transition. I had a successful mount, didn't crash into anyone or any witches hats and I was on my way. The bike course was 3 laps. I was told it was undulating. I would describe it in two words – false flats. I'd be riding along, thinking I was on flat road, wondering why I was going so slow, without realising that most of the course was really just steady inclines. How rude! It was a beautifully scenic course but I was in too much pain to enjoy it. My legs decided they didn't want to work very well so each lap was just about getting through it without killing my legs for the run. The wind started to pick up in the last lap and I later found out that everyone else was feeling the same as I was. That made me feel a lot better because when you're out there on your own, it's so easy to give up and stop pushing. Triathletes really are tough as nails! On lap #2, my chain dropped so I had to get off to fix it. Once I hopped back on, I was on a mission to get the bike leg over and done with before I could utter any more f-words. I was frustrated, tired and just wanted to get off and run.

To take my mind off the pain, I was thoroughly entertained by the wonderful Dee Bradbury from Bondi Fit. We were probably the only ones enjoying ourselves on the first lap (all while maintaining the 12m distance of course) and even had a few people giggle at us as they passed us. Why? We were taking it in turns singing lines from various cheesy songs from the 90's ('Baby Got Back' was the favourite). It was brilliant...until she overtook me - ha! I must admit, singing by yourself isn't nearly as fun!

When I finally got into transition, I dismounted and started running but my legs almost fell out under me. I had almost forgotten about that jelly leg feeling, which I don't usually get in the short distance races. Once I started moving it was ok, but the initial shock of getting off the bike and running wasn't like anything I have felt in a long time. 

Bike time – 2h 55m (again, 5^th fastest transition time in T2)! Happy to go under 3 hours in those conditions.

THE RUN – 20KM

I felt like I had a really slow swim and bike, so it was time to make up some time on the run. It was hard to hold back because I am so used to sprinting for 5 or 10kms in the shorter races. I wanted to be solid but conservative for the first lap of the two-lap course. I always go out too hard and pay for it in the second half, and I've been trying to focus a lot on my pacing in the last few months. Well, it worked a treat. My legs felt great for most of the race. I couldn't believe it. I started overtaking people who had pipped me on the bike leg and I finally felt like I had somewhat redeemed myself. I stopped at every aid station to pour water on my head (it was up to around 26*C-28*C by then) but didn't stop during the run leg once. No walking. All running. Stoked.

I got to the 18km mark and thought it was time to pick up the pace for the last few kilometres. Then BOOM, massive stitch on my left side that was so debilitating that I had to run with my left hand in the air and my right hand pushing into my rib cage. I looked like I was trying to wave to someone and was getting a lot of weird looks! It lasted for about 1km then started to settle a little and I was able to finish strong. Thankfully, my friend Lyndell from NSTC was there. We took turns overtaking each other and each time, the person in front would always say something encouraging to keep the other person going. I don't think I could've kept up that pace without her. Its people like Lyndell that make me love racing so much. You really do meet some great people and its nice to know that other people are looking out for you too.

Final run time – 1h 38m

Overall race time: 5h 15m

At the end of the race, I initially felt disappointed with my swim and bike times. I don't mean to sound ungrateful because there's so many things in the race you can't control. Thankfully, Coach Mel talked some sense into me and I realised I didn't do as bad as I thought (geez, triathletes, high achievers much)? I ended up finishing in the middle of my age group overall and placed 13^th on the run. Not a bad day at the office. However, I am still not convinced that long course is suited to me. It was great to spend the weekend with my BTC friends but I think I will be doing the sprint race next year.

Next up is Wollongong Olympic Distance on 10^th March and Club Champs in Forster on 6^th April. I'm very much looking forward to these races and then finishing the season off by supporting my friends who are racing Ironman Australia in Port Macquarie in May. It will be a nice change to be on the other side this time!

A huge thank you to the Her Coach crew for all of your encouragement and support (especially Coach Mel and Mia who were instrumental in keeping me on track mentally for the race). And most importantly to the BTC members who raced with me and those who spent the whole day cheering for us on the sidelines. I felt like a rock star at my own concert every time I ran past the club tent! I don't think people realise how much of a difference cheering makes to your race, especially when you are in the hurt locker, riding the pain train. Oh and thanks to all the random people who yelled out “Go Fonginator,” even though I didn't know who you were or how you knew me. God I love this sport!

FIVE LESSONS I LEARNT AT HUSKY:

1. Write a checklist of everything you need for race day.

2. Don't be so hard on yourself if you don't have the perfect day. Its just a race and let's be honest, you're doing a whole lot better than everyone sitting on the couch. 

3. Listen carefully during race briefing. Really listen, especially if you have never done the race before.

4. Don't stress out if something happens or doesn't go according to plan. It doesn't have to mean the end of your day.

5. Sometimes you perform better if you take the time to enjoy the atmosphere, appreciate the volunteers, high five a few people and just have a good time. I know we are out there racing in a competition but I think its important to take the time to acknowledge people on the course too and not be so serious all the time. I always make a point of asking someone if they are ok if I see them walking. Or I will at least wave/smile to my friends on the course if I don't have the energy to talk. Who knows, there might be a time when you are really struggling and need some words of encouragement or help along the way. Karma is a marvellous thing. After all, if you're not having fun, you're not doing it right.

That's it from me. Thanks for taking the time to read my race report. Here are some photos I took from the weekend. Hopefully you are still awake to enjoy them and haven't fallen asleep from boredeom. 

Bring on Husky 2014!