1st 4:30:29

Swim 2nd 31:07
Bike 1st 2:29:14
Run 1st 1:27:35



Mum said she was holding her breath for 4 1/2 hours - I think she thought I was gonna take a little snooze out there. My last race of the season. My favorite race of the year. Besides my very first race this year where I crashed out and ended up in hospital I have not been off the podium all year. My season has been everything I could have wished for. Now I just need to finish it off with a bang!

Tuesday, two days after Laguna Phuket Triathlon and 5 days before Challenge Phuket the relaxing holiday was suddenly turned on it's head. The stomach started feeling upset soon after lunch and by 8pm that night I couldn't move too far from the toilet. Every time I thought I was ok to go to bed, minutes later I was running back to the loo. Something I ate was not going down too well. My stomach was aching and I felt as sick as a dog. Two rolls of toilet paper down and it was now midnight. I'd lie in bed, no more than 15-20minutes I would spend there at a time. But then it got worse. This time it was coming UP. I bolted back to the toilet and brought up what I thought MUST have been everything I'd eaten that day. It was painful vomiting but I was hopeful that'd now be the end of it.

I showered and hopped back into bed around 1am. I got maybe half hour this time before I was back in my favorite spot for the night. Another episode of vomiting, half a dozen more visits to the loo and
it was then 3am. I was dead tired but could not lay down. Every time I lied down I would feel like puking. Finally 6am rolled around and I'd hoped it was late enough for the doctors to be open. Not in Thailand... 9am! I waited another painful 3hrs before I went to see the doc. Some advice, medicine and electrolytes for a lot of Thai Baht and I was confident I'd be back on my feet real soon.

Fast forward to Friday. I still couldn't eat but I dragged my weak body out of the hotel-coccoon and down the road to do an interview with Bob Babbitt on his show "Breakfast with Bob" (link to interview here). When I got there I had to apologize when I almost passed out. I then ask Bob if I could keep my sunnies on during the interview. I took a deep breath, put a smile on and tried to be as bubbly as I could - tried. Annnd cut. Finished. I dropped my head to the table and admitted to Bob that I had no idea how I was going to get myself on the start line in two days. Later that afternoon I started to feel like I was finally starting to improve a little. I went along to the pro cocktail party in the evening to let off the traditional lanterns into the night sky.

The day before the race I was able to keep down a little bit of porridge in the morning, some bread through the day and a quarter serve of rice with boiled eggs for dinner. I also got a little dip in the ocean in the morning and a 10min jog in the evening. I was not feeling great by any stretch, BUT I was feeling the best I had since the start of the week. Race morning I ate my porridge with honey - not too much. I was nervous. And nervous in a way I'd never been before. I asked Jared "will I be able to do this?". Neither of us knew the answer but he was positive "you got in some food last night, you ate this morning, there is some fuel in there now". That was just what I needed to hear. Never mind I hadn't eaten much more than dry crackers and coconut water for four days.

As we ran down the beach I automatically flushed any negative thoughts out of my head. I had another good swim exiting the water in 2nd place with Belinda right behind. I was 2:30 down on Radka this time with a 90km bike leg to follow. I jumped on my bike and started to crank up the speed. Almost immediately my quads tightened, it felt as if someone was squeezing them, compressing them. I briefly panicked thinking "oh no, this is it, I'm gonna cramp, I'm dehydrated, I'm running on empty, it's all over" but then I realized I wasn't cramping, my speed was high, I was fine. The feeling of someone squeezing my legs continued but it wasn't painful. It wasn't slowing me down, or at least I didn't think it was. I had nothing to lose. I had to keep pushing. I knew IF something were to go wrong it'd more than likely be on the run leg. Running requires a lot more energy. It'll be really hot and humid by then too and I'll be more fatigued after having swam 1.9km and rode 90km. I HAD to catch Radka before the run. But not just catch her. I wanted a good lead going into the run. Just in case I needed to walk parts of it and/or make regular toilet stops.

So at 25km I passed Radka and kept pushing hard. I kept checking over my shoulder to see if she jumped on. I could see someone, assuming it was her I pushed a bit harder. Eventually I realized it was a couple of guys that I'd passed earlier that were sitting on my wheel, not Radka. When I reached the first really steep hills (22% gradient) I thought I was gonna fall off my bike. This is where I really felt my quads tighten up. The lactic was building. Once I reached the top the guys took off down the other side. I wasn't risking it, not after last weekend. The roads were dry but the outsides were covered in damp moss. I didn't see another rider the entire bike course.

The next crazy steep hills were at 75km and these hurt even more. And to make things worse I dropped my chain on a roller. I tried to madly get it back on while riding but it got jammed on my frame. I had to quickly hit the
skids, jump off and put it back on before climbing up the next hill. Soon I was back in T2. Jared was yelling to me "you've got at least 2:30". Bugger, I thought. I was hoping for more like 4. But I knew I still had to take it easy to give my body the best chance of finishing. If I bolted out of transition at my usual pace I would almost surely blow up. I needed to relax. So I sat down! I put on my socks, followed by my Compressport calf sleeves. Then my shoes. I wasn't ready to get up but I pulled myself to my feet, grabbed by GU gel ad visor and was on my way.

Relax, stay level, don't bounce and TAKE IT EASY! This is what I was telling myself as I ran out. It's not easy to 'go easy' when you've just jumped off your bike traveling at 40kph and then hit the cheering spectators and enthusiastic commentator.  But I knew if I wanted to make it to the finish I had too. I started out at 4min pace. But then Jared popped up a few km in to tell me "you've got 5 1/2 minutes". WHAT! He repeated it then said "you can run 4:45pace if you want to". 4:45?!? That's a whole minute slower per km than I'd usually run. I automatically backed it off and hit 4:10. That felt comfortable. At 8km Jared was there - this time I yelled to him "is 4:10 ok?".

I held this pace until 6km to go. But then something just swept over me, like the devil just sucked all my energy out. I went from running comfortably to feeling completely drained. I hadn't taken my gel. Instead I'd been sipping coke at EVERY aid station. I took three gels on the bike - that's almost more calories than I'd gotten in all week. I didn't want to overload my temperamental digestive system with gels. I knew one thing for sure - if I had diarrhea during the race it'd all be over. I could not risk that. 5km to go and I was out to 4:20 pace and struggling. I had to do something. I ripped open my GU and started sucking on it. Only a tiny bit at a time. Three km to go and Jared was there again... You've still got over 5 minutes. Pheeeew! I shuffled on and told myself that once I hit that carpet, once Candy jumps in with me, I'M WALKING! But once I hit the carpet I forgot about everything. I found a little extra energy to run that 100m down the finish chute to break the tape and take the win! Ecstatic, relieved, buggered! Couple interviews straight after, a quick awards presentation and then another hour or so in medical with a refreshing IV drip in my arm and I was done. (Link to post race interview here)

My Mum was finally able to take a breath. I also thought there was a good chance I'd take a nap out on the course today but nope! I made it! I beat the food poisoning! Is that all you've got...?

1st 2:45:24

Swim 2nd 27:26
Bike 1st 1:31:40
Run 1st 44:06

Who could  resist the offer to spend 10 nights in beautiful Phuket staying at the famous Banyan Tree Resort? Not me! So this year I decided to tackle the double for the first time. Today I took on the prestigious Laguna Phuket Triathlon. This was it's 20th year running and it has attracted some of the most well known names in triathlon history. And then next weekend I will race Challenge Phuket Half Iron distance.

I sprinted down the beach and dived over the crashing waves. It's a 1400m triangle in the beautiful ocean to start. Belinda and I both managed to catch a good wave in which brought us right up to Tamsin as we ran out of the ocean and then up and over a sandhill before diving back into the not so 'fresh water' lagoon. 600m across to the other side through seaweed and dark warm water before running into T2. I managed to beat the other girls across the lagoon so entered T2 in second place with Radka only 1:35 ahead. I had a great swim for me.

The roads were wet and the course was technical with sharp twists and turns. I don't have a very good record riding in the wet so I took it easy and "tried" to stay upright. I got to the first hill, less than 5km in and passed Macca. I knew Radka would not be too far away. But after I climbed up the first hill I had to descend down this crazy ass mountain that was like a slip and slide with an extra twist at the bottom for good luck! Plus there was moss all over the damp roads. It was mighty scary. It was a yellow flag zone which meant under 20kph - thank god! I survived (this one).

The next climb I thought I could make up the time I potentially lost on the descent but then... another crazy descent. And this time it was a green flag. Are you serious? No hay bails on the railings for this one? If only I had my bubble wrap suit on this would have been a blast. I was slipping and sliding and having a jolly ol time. But then it was crunch time. Slide over the edge of the guard rails or take a little tumble along the road. I opted for the second option. As carefully as I could I tipped my bike over and slid down on my hip. That wasn't too painful I thought.
I was hoping that all the sketchy sections were now outa the way but I as
wrong. The next few km's I was like a toddler on a bicycle for the first time. I was absolutely crawling around the corners and almost cried when I saw the next roller coaster hill. I got to the top and I remember saying out loud "are you serious?". I started braking but my brakes locked up. My front wheel starting sliding then my back. I started pumping my brakes but my wheels were just sliding down almost sideways and at the bottom was another sharp right hand turn. I wasn't going to make it. Quick thinking and remembering a story Holly Bennett told me of her experience last year saw me unclip and slid down on my feet. That was quite an experience. And painless. I continued on.

After the crazy hills - about 15km in I figured there was no way I was seeing Radka until the run unless the rest of the course was straight or dry. Or both. The rest of the course was a windy mess. It felt like I was just doing circles and by now I had absolutely no confidence on the bike. After almost walking the corners and two stacks Macca had caught back up. I'd drop him on the straights but he'd almost run up my ass on the turns. On one turn he came right up beside me and apologized for getting in my way. I said back to him "go ahead, I'm terrible, I've crashed twice, I just wanna make it back to T2 in one piece" but as he wasn't having a great day and didn't want to interrupt the girls race he was happy to sit behind.

Eventually I caught sight of Radka but after some more tight turns I was happy to have just 'seen her' and still be upright. With about 8km to go I could finally get up some speed and managed to catch and pass Radka and I entered T2 first.

Macca flew through Transition super fast, while I took the time to put socks on. So we ran out almost together and ended up running side by side for a bit over 5km before I put on a surge to drop the multiple Ironman World Champion. No biggie - just another day at the office ;-). The next 7km went pretty smooth. I had a good lead and got to enjoy the friendly spectators and acknowledge the amazing volunteers. The last km passes by the chapel,  past the canal village, through the elephant park before entering the home straight where Candy, the baby elephant joins me for the final 100m run down to the finish chute. I wave the Aussie flag while Candy waves her trunk. After we cross the finish line I hold the banner up high over my head while Candy takes the opportunity, while I'm distracted, to plant a big fat kiss on my cheek.

Apart from nearly wetting my pants on the bike I had an absolute ball out there. Swimming in the beautiful ocean, riding around the local streets of Phuket and then running through the elephant park. Can you believe this is my job? And THEN having Candy run down the finish chute with me - just awesome :-)

    1st    4:03:46

    Swim    4th    23:39
    Bike      1st     2:14:49
    Run      1st     1:22:49

It was 6:18am, my wetsuit and cap were on and I was ready to dive into the canal for my warm up. I pulled my goggles over my head and... SNAP! My goggles broke into my hands. Sh*t! I panicked and handed them to Jared. He always knows what to do... Then I remembered we had electrical tape in our bag. We taped them up checking to see if there was any gaps where water might leak in. They looked good. Well... sufficient. I very carefully put them on and didn't touch them till I was out of the water and heading into T1.

We took off at 6:33am. I started next to Laura Bennett as the plan was to jump onto her feet, have the swim of my life and come out of the water with an Olympian! Well... it didn't quite go exactly like that. I crawled on her legs like a little pest for a few strokes (Like Tenille once taught me) before she sent me packing. After no time at all I was in clear water, well behind the lead 4. I got to the first buoy at the end of a long straight and turned right around it while practicing my polo skills until I found some splashes up ahead. I soon came up on Melanie, tickled her feet for a bit then decided to move on. Again, no idea where to go, so I just headed 'straight', or as straight as I can swim...when following a curved canal.

Eventually I saw a buoy. Tagged it! "Now what?" I stopped, looked around to try and get some clue of where to go next...sighting bouy?...turning bouy? Left, right? It made feel a little better to find out later that the lead male also had trouble navigating the course and went in the wrong direction around one of the bouys. I eventually saw some splashes in the distance, took a sharp right and followed them. A few more polo strokes a little later and I got a glimpse of more splashes and finally the last turn buoy. I got around it and started heading back. When I saw the exit ramp I was relieved that was over...I found the finish in that maze of canals. But I was nervous to hear how much time I'd lost already.

As I ran the long transition to my bike Jared yelled "1:45 to Radka and Laura, 1min to Annabel". I almost had to ask him to repeat it but I was sure I'd heard correctly. I carefully listened to Pete Murray commentating as I entered T1 as well to be sure. And yep, he was right. Omg! So maybe they had trouble sighting on this course too. It's a beautiful swim in the Mandurah canal and I'm sure from the sky it seems pretty straight forward but I felt like an ant frantically searching for a way out.

Less than 2min down - that's a pretty awesome feeling! I was able to relax. I jumped on Ronny and instead of madly rushing to put my feet on my pedals and get stuck into it I slowly slid my feet straight into my S-works Trivent bike shoes. And surprisingly it all went so smooth and a lot quicker than when I'm trying to rush. Being so close already also allowed me to safely and slowly get out of town, through some roundabout and sharp turns. Once on the straight I put the power down and passed Laura about 5km in. I kept pushing and soon saw Annabel and Radka up ahead. Radka was in the lead but Annabel had already caught up. Once they were in sight up the road I was able to relax a little more and take my time. I closed the gap to the lead 2 at 25k. We now had a tail wind all the way back into town before repeating the lap. Instead of just going on by which I usually have to do when chasing people down I decided to sit around for a bit. I practiced pulling my drink bottle out of my Xlab drink cage mounted on the back of my bike. This is new to me so I'm still not very good at it so it was good to have a few practice goes at it. I even managed to get my bottle back in which I was really happy about. I took in my nutrition and began to think a little more tactically rather than just all out from the gun.

I was happy to see the technical officials (aka draft busters) sitting with us. During my (short) tri career I have hardly ever seen any draft buster with the womens field. Maybe they are there, but I never see them because I'm usually too far back. Annabel lead us back into town and out for lap two. The wind had really picked up by this point. I was pretty excited about this as my biking had been going really well. Once we turned back into the headwind, I was still behind for a little longer and then I went for it. I made the pass and it was a shock to the legs to get going again for the first few km's but then I felt good. I felt strong and kept pushing right to the far turn around. It was then a nice strong tail wind all the way back. A lot of time can be lost into a tail wind if you ease up so I kept the pressure on and reached T2 with over a minute lead to Annabel and close to 2 1/2min to Radka.

After I racked Ronny and headed out for the 21km run Jared told me I needed a 1:19 flat to break 4hrs. We'd discussed prior to race start what I could run today and 1:19 was definitely doable. Thats 3:45 pace. I took off, maybe a little too keen with the first 4km all under 3:40 pace. My fifth km 3:45. Perfect. I have a little time up my sleeve I thought. The first 8km felt good. I was still on pace at 10km but by 14km I was hot, dehydrated and running out of steam. I think I underestimated the temperatures today and I was definitely starting to feel it. The aid stations seemed so far apart and on some I had to slow so much to take in as much as possible. The electrolytes out on course were not my trusty GU nutrition so I stuck with water which was not enough given it was 40plus degrees out on the road. At 14km Jared told me I was 10seconds behind. I knew that'd be near impossible to pull back given the way I was now feeling, so my aim now was to cross the line on my feet. I backed off a little and got to enjoy running down the long straight into the finish chute. Spectators lining the barriers and too many hands out to high five everyone. I crossed the line in 4:03 again! I've done 4:03 a few times now but I was happy. Australian champ for another year! Annabel came in second with Radka rounding out the podium.

3rd 2:01:42


Swim   13th   23:33
Bike     1st     1:02:03
Run     3rd    36:04

Nobody needs an excuse to go to Noosa. It's a beautiful little holiday spot on the beach and once a year it hosts the largest triathlon festival in the Southern Hemisphere. The multisport festival has all sorts of different events over the entire week leading into the weekend. My long weekend at Noosa began with a 1km ocean swim on Friday. Jared and I went in the 'mates' wave so we could race each other. Jared started off super strong getting down to the water first and putting a good distance into me with his awesome dolphin diving skills. My hours in the pool kicked in however and I took the lead and didn't look back. But Jared did lose his goggles, got stung by a jelly fish and lost a leg when the shark bit it off, or so he tells me.

Saturday, between watching the criterium and the 5km bolt I participated in the Legends Triathlon - a fun teams Tri with athletes from all different sports. My team included a Surf Ironman, a Moto GP rider and myself. For some reason I was put on the run, again I think Ky Hurst and the Grimsey boys requested they not challenge me in the swim! It all started off well until Emma Carney (the original Emma as she likes to be known as) cut the bike a lap short. With Crowie first out on the run the other teams knew they had to do something special to win. And that they did. A runner up ahead jumped the little barriers on the road to get a short cut (much to the crowds amusement). This passed down the line and before I knew it everyone was jumping across. I was now in last place and HAD to come up with plan. I revisited my steeplechasing days and threw myself over the foam barriers, rejoined the group finishing mid pack. Great fun and a big crowd-pleaser.

Now for the main event, The Noosa Tri. The womens' race start was almost delayed because of a sea snake terrorising poor Emma Moffat in the water. Somehow I was the only one on the start line that didn't see it (fine by me, I would've had a heart attack if I saw a snake in the water), but I'm told Emma has quite an impressive scream that could ward off anything/anyone. Even Delly Carr got a pic of it. I must've been too focused getting a good start. My swim ended up going pretty well, 13th place I exited the water - yep, lucky 13. I knew I was going to do something special today, like maybe... stay on my feet! This is my fourth year racing the Noosa Tri and I haven't stayed on my feet for the whole race yet! Amazing record hey. 2010 - I'd been doing tri's for a few weeks at this point - I came out of the water over 5minutes down. Falling over coming out of the water was the least of my worries. 2011 - I took a dive UNDER the winners banner at the end of the race. Thought I was scoring a try for the Broncos or something. And 2012 - Shivy and I took a slip and slide on the wet cambered round about during the bike leg. Not the best record here.

So I was only 2:40 behind the main contenders out of the water this year, pretty happy with that! But that soon went out the window when the other girls ran through T1 as if the sea snake was still chasing them! Why didn't I see this damn snake??? Once I got going on Ronny It felt like I was flying past a lot of the competitors like they were standing still. The feeling you get when you have too much caffeine and everything is flying past at a million mile an hour. As I approached the turn around I saw Emma and Ashleigh motoring along. They were flying as well. Must've had their caffeine too. They looked like they were on a mission just like me. But theirs might've been stay ahead of Mel. I dropped off Ronny in T2 and somehow the girls STILL thought the snake was in transition. ITU girls don't spend much time in transition! Out on foot next and back on the chase.

I was 4th starting the run leg. But I felt like I'd just ridden 200km not 40! I could feel my hammy's seizing up from blasting an all out 40k. My calfs were tight. I felt like I had no knee lift. I was stiff and tight and wasn't sure how I'd get through the 10km run. I passed Liz about a km in, still feeling rather ordinary. At about 4km I was starting to loosen up but I still didn't feel great. My legs felt heavy and sluggish. It wasn't until about 5km when I actually started to feel good. I picked up the pace but the lead two had put time into me in the first few km's while they were duking it out for the win. I pulled back a whole minute in the last 3km and finished ON MY FEET in 3rd place! This was the first time in my triathlon career I'd finished in 3rd place (Emma ended up 1st and Ashleigh finished a close 2nd). Something different. And this was the first time I stayed on my feet for the whole Noosa tri. So all-in-all a pretty good weekend.