It’s been a very challenging year for many athletes with pools closed, restrictions on group training and many cancelled races, but we’ve fought through it.

As triathletes we need to be able to adapt to challenging circumstances – no race is perfect. There’ll always be a side wind, then head wind; rain, heat, dropped gels and the ever dreaded puncture. Adapting is what we do best.

Over the last few months we’ve made friends with treadmills:

swimming tethers:

and some of us were even brave enough to master rollers:

We’ve gained a lot of skills and mental toughness and now that races are back on, we’re ready.

Race Rundown

Ironman Sunshine Coast 70.3 occurred on the 13th of September 2020, which was a very different looking race to what most seasoned athletes are used to. Despite the changes to the event, 18 of our Next Level athletes left their impression on the Sunshine Coast – what a fantastic site to see!

Getting up early on Sunday morning it was a surprise for most to hear the pitter patter of rain over head as the sun rose for the start of a beautiful day. Like Mooloolaba earlier in the year, athletes were faced with a late change to the swim, which had them starting and finishing S/E of the ‘Loo With a View’, which meant a much flatter and calmer swim, but a little bit of a challenging jog along the beach to transition one.

In and out of transition one, athletes snaked along the esplanade, cheered on by early rising spectators, and made their way up to the highway for a two lap, 90km, cycle, dotted with periods of rain, wind and sunshine. Very challenging conditions, but balanced out by the magnificent rainbow, which was a great reminder at how lucky everyone was to be racing again.

Coming back into town, with the rain finally clearing and the sun drying up the roads, athletes made their way back to transition two and headed out onto the esplanade for the two lap iconic run course, touring both Alexandra Headlands and Cotton Tree. With conditions heating up, the flood of volunteers and aid stations were greatly appreciated – the enthusiasm and dedication of volunteers is what really makes this sport so enjoyable.

Finishing up the run and cheered on by the hundreds of spectators, athletes welcomed the picturesque finishing line along the water’s edge at Mooloolaba Beach.

Congratulations to our debut athletes, our 6 podium finishes, including Head Coach Toby Somerville, who won his age group, despite getting a puncture.

With Cairns in two weeks and the QTS series firing up, we have a summer of great racing to look forward to.

Lake Taupo welcomed athletes with crystal clear waters and a beautifully flat surface for the Ironman 70.3 rolling start. As our 70.3 athletes came out of the water, and the wind picked up, it was time for the Ironman athletes to enjoy the very few mass starts left in the Ironman world. With a bit of chop developing our athletes were set off for their 3.8km swim with the earth rattling explosion of a cannon.

Coming out of the water, for both the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 athletes, was a challenging up hill 800m sprint to the Transition one, where they grabbed their bikes and were off into New Zealand’s picturesque countryside. Not swayed by the chill in the air and the ever increasing head winds, athletes pushed through two laps (1 lap for Ironman 70.3) of challenging terrain and undulating hills.

Speeding back into town, and the weather warming up, Taupo showed off its fantastic lake views, as athletes started the last leg of their journey on the undulating hills around Lake Taupo. With the 70.3 athletes finished and the sun setting, the crowds of Taupo only became louder and more encouraging, cheering our Ironman athletes home. What a fantastic day!

Congratulations to our 5 athletes – Troy Smedley, Tracey Davies, Ashley Williams, Nathan Manning and Deepak Raj – who completed the Ironman New Zealand and Ironman New Zealand 70.3. A special congratulations to Nathan Manning, who has been struggling with injury, completed his first full distance Ironman. Great job, Nathan!

Are you after help with your training? Do you want to take things to the Next Level? Get in touch with us today

– Ashley Williams (assistant Next Level coach)

There were 11 Next Level Athletes racing in Cairns last Sunday and there were some outstanding results.

• Phil Davies was 1st in his age group in the 70.3 and Taryn Bennett, in her first 70.3 event, finished 4th in her age group and 18th female overall! I also had a win in my age group.
• In the Ironman Denise Sweeney was a standout with a massive personal record and 6th place. While all the other Ironman athletes, including 3 first timers, finished strongly.

If you have a goal to finish your first Ironman or 70.3 or take your performance to The Next Level, get in touch.