Xterra World Championship

November 14, 2012 Leave a comment

What a great experience this was! This was my first world championship. It has left me craving more. I am so glad I could take part in such a great event! If you have never been to Maui I highly recommend a visit. Stunning scenery, beautiful waters, lots to do, great places to eat and fantastic beaches. The night before the race, mother nature in the form of a tsunami tried to stop the race. But other than being evacuated from our condo right on the water, the tsunami ended up being a non event. Better safe than sorry.

As for the race not my best performance. Such a tough and taxing course which makes for a great challenge which I wasn’t quite ready for. After a great swim things just didn’t work out. With lots of elevation you really have to have your climbing legs. All the mistakes I made I can only blame on myself. Learnt lots and would love to come back with the knowledge I now have and give it a real crack.

I was lucky enough to have the second fastest swim of the day behind eventual pro winner Javier Gomez. Being the fastest age group swimmer I received a Xterra Brand wetsuit. At the presentation dinner triathlon legend Greg Welsh presented and gave a huge wrap to my Dad and swim coach, Kevin Neilson. He thanked him for improving his swimming so much. Very proud of the old man, not that I wasn’t already.

If you are looking for a change from ordinary triathlon I really recommend giving an Xterra a go. They hold them in great locations and the courses are always challenging.

I would like to thank all my training partners and coach Pete from HPT (http://www.highperformancetri.com/)
for putting up with me at training. A big thank you to my family who came over to support me. It was great that my 80 year old grandma was able to watch me race.

20121114-110938.jpgOut pre riding the course

20121114-112733.jpgOur condo on Maui as you can see pretty close to the water

20121114-112927.jpgIn transition preparing for the race

20121114-113213.jpgSwim exit

20121118-171513.jpgComing into T2

20121118-171607.jpgBit Slow in transition

20121118-171652.jpgOut onto the run

20121118-171735.jpgLast bit of sand right before the finish

20121118-171824.jpgShaking hands with Greg Welsh who then went on to thank my swim coach and dad Kev for improving his swimming so much

20121118-172000.jpgBonus for having a good swim

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Forster Adventure Race

October 1, 2012 Leave a comment

12th May 2012

1.5km Swim

18km Run

29km Mountain Bike

16km Paddle

2.5km Team run

I was looking forward to doing the Forster Adventure Race for quite a while. It was 2 years ago that i first got a taste of adventure racing here in Forster. That first race, 2 years ago was a catalyst to get me involved in adventure sports and triathlon which I now love. So I was looking to do it as an individual, but due to a shoulder injury and lack of training in certain disciplines I opted to recruit friend and ironman Chris Allum. He was going to do the swim and paddle legs, I was up for the bike and run legs. Both of us were going to use the day as a good training hitout.

The morning of the race greeted us with a lovely sunrise and perfect conditions. We headed out early to the transitions areas, drop the gear off and head to the start. It was off to Pacific Palms for the ocean swim.

After an amazing swim by Chris and with a couple of minutes lead I set off on the run. The first section were along the beach then up a very steep hill at the end of one. Still in the lead I took a turn that thought was the right way but no. Then continued to follow a trail that led me to a dead end and no market and then had to back track. When I got back had lost quite a few spots and had to work my way back to the front.

On to the bike my legs were not cooperating I was trying to limit the damage I was losing to the other teams and the couple of individuals In front. On one of the longer sections I could just make out one of the team riders in front and gave me a little carrot to chase. Handing over to Chris for the kayak leg, we were still in with a chance .

As Chris paddled we drove around to meet for the final team run. Waiting at the boat ramp at tuncurry it was a quick 2.5km run over the bridge and finish at Forster main beach. I could see the first team paddler come around the corner closely followed by Chris. The race would come down to the last run leg. As we set off on the last run leg I let chris set the pace as he had worked very hard to chase down all but one in front. As we got onto the bridge they were in our sights. You are only as bad as your weakest link and there paddler had put in a big effort and was paying for it on the run. We ran passed with a little bit of an effort to make sure we had them. We crossed the line 1st overall and took out the inaugural Forster adventure. We were pushed all the way by the
other teams and by the 1st individual Jared Kolhar who put in a tremendous effort. Thanks to Chris for the great performance and hopefully next year be back as an individual.

20121001-113638.jpgComing into run bike transition.

20121001-114320.jpgLast part of bike leg

20121001-114454.jpgInto transition

20121001-114541.jpgChangeover

20121001-114628.jpgChris putting in on the paddle

20121001-114805.jpghitting the hard sand

20121001-114905.jpgLast effort up Forster main beach

20121001-114938.jpgFirst across the line

Filed under General, Mountain Bike, Training Tagged with , ,

Noosa Anaconda Adventure Race

September 30, 2012 Leave a comment

The first edition of the 2012 Anaconda adventure race series was held at Noosa on the 12th of August . This was the first time the race was held here after pervious editions held on the Gold Coast. It is an amazing place to have a race and relax afterwards. The race consisted of:
Swim 1.9km
Paddle 6km
Mountain bike 34km
Trail run 14km
Paddle 5km
Run 1km

Coming into the event with injury I had an ok day which wasn’t helped by a puncture on the bike. That cost me quite some time but battled back to end up in 6th individual. Loved the race and atmosphere at Noosa. I will be ready to have another crack next year.

20121001-124827.jpgSwim start out through the waves, my type of start

20121001-124942.jpgExiting the water in 2nd

20121001-125551.jpgOut onto the ski

20121001-125653.jpgCovered in mud after flat and crash

20121001-125742.jpgOut onto the run

20121001-125821.jpg

20121001-125835.jpgLast ski paddle to finish

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Xterra Philippines

April 30, 2012 Leave a comment

Here is a little video from one of my latest races in the Philippines. It was a really fun race. You can see in the video,  myself leading out the field in the swim.

The support on the course was amazing if I get the chance will be back next year. Enjoy!

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Hello world!

April 21, 2012 Leave a comment

Welcome!!!

Soon to come…  Adventures of training and racing throughout Australia and around the World.

Sports that i have a passion for and that will be included in my blogs range from Surf Life Saving, triathlons, open water swimming, multi sport racing, adventure racing, trail running, ocean kayaking and mountain biking.

This site will share videos, pictures, reports and reviews on my gear and  many other things that are included in my active lifestyle such as nutrition, goals, strength, conditioning and flexibility etc.

You can also keep up to date with all my race results and race schedules here, as well as all the amazing people who have helped me so far on this journey.

Feel free to ask any Q’s at any time.

Daniel

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