Time Flies When Your Busy

Wow, it only felt like last week when I last posted, I know sounds familiar, but is now the middle of January and Duathlon Worlds flew by, with some good and some bad moments and now the athletes have qualified for the WA School Sport Triathlon Team and some more have also traveled to 2 rounds of the National Junior Series.
So won't make this a huge long essay about everything that has happened but will aim to be more regular with updates.
Duathlon Worlds was an experience, racing again was nerve racking but fun, there was no pressure for me personally as I had been to a World Champs before and because there was no swim leg for me to perform in. Was a whole different story for the girls, first ever time representing Australia. Congratulations to Sheridan Smith and Kaitlyn Illingworth Age Group Worlds is an amazing experience and you soaked up the journey and did everyone proud. Steve Smith also joined us in the experience and despite not enjoying his day, achieved some of his goals. I also got the opportunity to be involved in the Elite event as well, getting a coaches accreditation to be involved and having an athlete race. My athlete did not have the day she was hoping for but has now moved on and is enjoying the sport again, and that is what our sport is all about.

After Duathlon Worlds it was quickly into School Sport Championships and some local races. DETS athletes had some outstanding success within these races, with Jess Claxton and Joshua Roberts gaining automatic selection into the WA State Schools Triathlon Team to travel to Hervey Bay in Queensland in April 2016. Other members of the squad that have joined these two include Mitch Lees, Elliot Roberts, Jo Robertson, Breaze James and Caitlin Knight. Congratulations and I look forward to the next 3 months of preparation for this event.

In December I was lucky enough to be invited to the AIS to attend a National Development Camp as a lead coach of one team, unfortunately my team could maintain the lead, we lead right up until the last event. The NDC was held at the conclusion of the Australian Junior Triathlon Series Race 1 in Canberra. It was an unreal opportunity to experience the AIS and challenge my knowledge and ability. Hopefully it will take my coaching and my athletes to the next level. I was fortunate enough to have one of my athletes invited to the camp as well, Jess Claxton, she has had an outstanding winter and is now producing some outstanding results. Jess came 3rd in Canberra in only her 2nd year as an Elite Junior.

After Christmas Round 2 of the AJTS was held in Robina, Queensland. DETS took 3 athletes over, Breaze James in the Youth race and Jess Claxton and Tegan Scott in the Junior race. This was Breaze's first trip to an Elite Series Race and a nerve racking experience, Breaze had a great swim but missed some of the little 1%'ers that make the difference and finished 17th for the day. Jess Claxton displayed her strengths earlier on and showed she is fast becoming one of the strongest athletes in the field and again finished 3rd. Tegan Scott had a great swim but was left in an unfortunate position and had to do a lot of bike work all by herself with little support, she dragged a large pack of girls from 45 seconds down to head into T2 less then 10 seconds down. Tegan then held on to finish a strong 24th.

Wow what a few months we have had. Sitting down and reflecting is sometimes hard but so worthwhile, it allows you to experience and remember moments like these.

Looking forward to the rest of the season, Draft Legal Rockingham Triathlon coming up followed by 2 more National Junior Series races with more athletes making their debut on the National scene, plus plenty more local races and athletes stepping up to some long course racing.

Even in our darkest hours and toughest challenges, we must give it everything we have if we wish to succeed!