Tuesday, May 8, 2012
ITU Asian Cup - Subic Bay, PHI
I had my second race back from injury and it was stickier than a honey pot in Subic Bay, Philippines for the ITU Asian Cup. After arriving in Manila, we had a 4-hour bus trip travelling to the race site. Getting out of Manila was an adventure to say the least as we weaved in and out of traffic, breaking road rule after road rule. To give you an idea of what it’s like, Manila has about the same population as the whole of Australia so I can’t believe I didn’t see one crash! We arrived at the hotel at 2am after a solid 14-travel time and I was pretty tired. After a good sleep, my pre race goal was to stay hydrated and put the feet up after doing a light run and swim (race temp was 30 C plus).
The two lap swim was a beach start and I got to the lead in the first few steps and pushed hard for the first few hundred metres. At the end of the first lap I saw that myself and the two other athletes behind me had created a small gap entering the second lap. I didn’t push the swim but managed to exit the water (collecting the prime) with a 30 sec lead over the main pack.
I have never been in a race where you could say that you heated up in the swim, so once I jumped on my bike it was all about getting the nutrition and water in while I had time. I waited for three athletes to ride up to me and we rolled turns for 10km until we waited for another 5 athletes. Another memorable moment from the race was manoeuvring through a small gap that was created by a bus/4WD crash on the racetrack. There was glass everywhere and it turned out to be quite a sketchy section of the ride! Luckily, there was no trouble for any in the group.
Onto the 4-lap run and I was feeling really comfortable sitting in 3rd directly behind the eventual winner from China and catching the leader. As I passed the penalty box the first time, I saw my number on the board, which shocked me! Instead of continuing in a good rhythm with the Chinese athlete, I was forced to stop and take the 15-second penalty. Bad move Shane! Having to run the remainder of the leg solo was tough but I managed to hold onto the podium so I was happy with the progress.
Thanks to everyone for their support including Triathlon Australia, NSWIS, Giant Bikes, my coach Jamie Turner, physio Alex Price, my parents and family and all my individual sponsors!
Next Races: ITU Asian Cup – Amasuka, Japan 3rd June
ITU Asian Cup – Gamagori, Japan 10th June
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Photos from the last couple of months
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Mooloolaba Triathlon
So I have had plenty of time to think about the race in Mooloolaba and find out what exactly happened, as it definitely wasn’t the result I was after! Mooloolaba triathlon is one of Australia’s largest and most popular triathlons. It’s a weekend festival with everything from ocean swims, fun runs and of course the triathlon. When I arrived on the ‘Sunshine coast’ it was not living up to its name and was recovering from torrential rain with some parts of the town flooded. I stayed indoors, jumped on the treadmill and the preparation was still going to plan.
I had a solid 8 weeks training block on the Gold Coast with pre‐qualified Olympic triathlete Brad Kahlefeldt leading up to the race (my first Olympic distance triathlon in 18 months). It was awesome to spend time with Brad and see what a true professional athlete does day in and day out. Following his training program for a race that he has won three times and was looking for his third consecutive win, he obviously knows how to win.
With all of the torrential rain, the water was a bit mucky and dirty but that didn’t stop me from leading the whole swim (although I didn’t feel the best) until the final wave zone. A set wave come for the guys sitting around the 20th position to come through and make up ground. I still managed to exit the water in the top 10 and get out onto the bike in good position. The bike was an out and back course on the freeway with not much happening and the field of 60 came together as one big pack. At this point, I still wasn’t feeling the best on the bike but I was confident with my running leading up to event so was patiently waiting for the final 10km run. I left transition two in 4th spot and onto the run I went. Nothing eventuated for me on the run, feeling a little flat and coming over the line in 18th. After the prospect of racing again and the build up I had, I was somewhat disappointed with my finish but now can move on to the next race.
I have had a lot of support post race and one Aussie triathlete said to me “you can't be disappointed with your race. It's a long road back from where you were and you've done the longest, hardest part. Keep ticking away. It comes back eventually, believe me”. He himself would know, having spent two years out (four years ago) with injury and now has all but sewn up the 2nd Olympic spot for London. It meant a lot for him to say that! Moving forward, I have to stay healthy, stay motivated because I know I have a awesome block of training behind me that is ready to be unleashed!
Next race: ITU Asian Cup – Subic Bay, Philippines May 5th.
Shane
I had a solid 8 weeks training block on the Gold Coast with pre‐qualified Olympic triathlete Brad Kahlefeldt leading up to the race (my first Olympic distance triathlon in 18 months). It was awesome to spend time with Brad and see what a true professional athlete does day in and day out. Following his training program for a race that he has won three times and was looking for his third consecutive win, he obviously knows how to win.
With all of the torrential rain, the water was a bit mucky and dirty but that didn’t stop me from leading the whole swim (although I didn’t feel the best) until the final wave zone. A set wave come for the guys sitting around the 20th position to come through and make up ground. I still managed to exit the water in the top 10 and get out onto the bike in good position. The bike was an out and back course on the freeway with not much happening and the field of 60 came together as one big pack. At this point, I still wasn’t feeling the best on the bike but I was confident with my running leading up to event so was patiently waiting for the final 10km run. I left transition two in 4th spot and onto the run I went. Nothing eventuated for me on the run, feeling a little flat and coming over the line in 18th. After the prospect of racing again and the build up I had, I was somewhat disappointed with my finish but now can move on to the next race.
I have had a lot of support post race and one Aussie triathlete said to me “you can't be disappointed with your race. It's a long road back from where you were and you've done the longest, hardest part. Keep ticking away. It comes back eventually, believe me”. He himself would know, having spent two years out (four years ago) with injury and now has all but sewn up the 2nd Olympic spot for London. It meant a lot for him to say that! Moving forward, I have to stay healthy, stay motivated because I know I have a awesome block of training behind me that is ready to be unleashed!
Next race: ITU Asian Cup – Subic Bay, Philippines May 5th.
Shane
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Iron-Off
The Iron-off was the ultimate challenge! Never used an iron before but hey, I love a challenge!
The Morphy Richards Iron-Off seen Kelloggs Nutri-Grain Ironman Ali Day line up against Super fish and Australian Champion David McKeon, World Champion track runner Ryan Gregson, Australian Triathlete Aaron Royle and Australian High Jump Champion Petrina Price and myself.
It was set in the main street amphitheater of Crown street mall in Wollongong. Plenty of people turned up for a laugh but the funniest part was the elderly who stopped by ... I think they thought it was going to be a ironing exhibition! Little did they know we were stripping down to our Waxx undies and ironing our own cloths in a competition.
It was good fun and pictures are below.
More photos can been seen here.
A full report can be seen here
Shane
The Morphy Richards Iron-Off seen Kelloggs Nutri-Grain Ironman Ali Day line up against Super fish and Australian Champion David McKeon, World Champion track runner Ryan Gregson, Australian Triathlete Aaron Royle and Australian High Jump Champion Petrina Price and myself.
It was set in the main street amphitheater of Crown street mall in Wollongong. Plenty of people turned up for a laugh but the funniest part was the elderly who stopped by ... I think they thought it was going to be a ironing exhibition! Little did they know we were stripping down to our Waxx undies and ironing our own cloths in a competition.
It was good fun and pictures are below.
More photos can been seen here.
A full report can be seen here
Shane
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Latest scoop ... first for 2012
The silly season is done and dusted. For me, it is a period to enjoy the time with friends and family as I am away for 5-6 months of the year racing abroad. I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year too! I kicked back with a beer or two and had a more relaxed attitude with my training. I managed to gradually increase my volume of training after returning to running from my injury setbacks.
At the end of 2011 I was able to join up with the NSWIS crew and spend 10 days down at Falls Creek, Victoria training at 1700m – getting some altitude benefits. I was there for another 3 weeks in January doing the same but increasing my volume again.
January is just a great month. One reason is that it is my birthday! ☺ I didn’t do too much other than spending some quality time with my family/friends and a nice dinner.
This was all good preparation for the annual Australia Day Aquathon held in the picturesque Wollongong Harbour the next day. I was not expecting anything much from the race other than having fun and getting back to racing after a terrible two years with injury. I could have come last in the race but still would have had a smile on my face! But that result didn’t happen … I was in a sprint finish for the win with my good mate and training partner Aaron Royle. He managed to out sprint me but I was very excited with my result, a massive positive for the upcoming season.
The next day I was travelling 12 hours in the car headed for the Gold Coast. I am up here as a training partner for pre-selected 2012 Olympic triathlete Brad Kahlefeldt for 4 weeks. This was arranged between my coach Jamie Turner and Triathlon Australia. I absolutely love it up here training with Brad! I am supposed to be helping him but I think I am getting the better deal out of this one, learning so much off a very professional athlete. It has been a very solid two weeks with base miles and some speed work as well. This is all putting me in good shape for the Mooloolaba triathlon on March 25.
Until next time!
At the end of 2011 I was able to join up with the NSWIS crew and spend 10 days down at Falls Creek, Victoria training at 1700m – getting some altitude benefits. I was there for another 3 weeks in January doing the same but increasing my volume again.
January is just a great month. One reason is that it is my birthday! ☺ I didn’t do too much other than spending some quality time with my family/friends and a nice dinner.
This was all good preparation for the annual Australia Day Aquathon held in the picturesque Wollongong Harbour the next day. I was not expecting anything much from the race other than having fun and getting back to racing after a terrible two years with injury. I could have come last in the race but still would have had a smile on my face! But that result didn’t happen … I was in a sprint finish for the win with my good mate and training partner Aaron Royle. He managed to out sprint me but I was very excited with my result, a massive positive for the upcoming season.
The next day I was travelling 12 hours in the car headed for the Gold Coast. I am up here as a training partner for pre-selected 2012 Olympic triathlete Brad Kahlefeldt for 4 weeks. This was arranged between my coach Jamie Turner and Triathlon Australia. I absolutely love it up here training with Brad! I am supposed to be helping him but I think I am getting the better deal out of this one, learning so much off a very professional athlete. It has been a very solid two weeks with base miles and some speed work as well. This is all putting me in good shape for the Mooloolaba triathlon on March 25.
Until next time!
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