Back into training

So i have been back in training now for about 3 weeks....started off real slow and not doing much besides spending more time at the coffee shop! :) But now it is ramping up and pushing out some good km's on the bike and building the run. I haven't started swimming but that should start in 2 weeks.

Have a total of 5 weeks of camps in December and January in Nth NSW and Canberra respectively which should be good to get a good base. Racing wise I haven't decided my season but first race will probably be Hobart in February, so a lot of training to come! :)

Also, went caving at Bungonia National Park with the NSWIS boys 2 weeks ago. This was very challenging mentally to push yourself to fit through gaps that are smaller than crawling/sliding under a car. 'The squeeze', as its known, can't be explained how small it was! But the feeling of achieving these challengers was unreal and something I look back on while training is getting tough.

Ill post my schedule when I finalise it!

And try and get some photos up...

Shane

World aquathon champs @ Gold Coast

With the last race of the season on the Gold Coast for the ITU World Aquathon Championships, I didn't really know what to expect. It comprised of a 2.5km run, 1km swim and 2.5km run to finish. Very short compared to the normal triathlon race! Managed to finish 6th....bit disappointed with the result but looking forward to the off season and getting my knee injury right for next year. I'm currently on a 4 week break and catching up with friends and family while I have the time. I start back training in late October!!!!

Talk soon,
Shane

In the spotlight

This is from 'In the spotlight' from the National Talented Identification and Development (NTID) Triathlon Newsletter Volume 4


How did you get involved in triathlon?
I gained selection in the National Talented Identification and Development (TriChamps) program by the Australian Sports Commission.

What is the best part about being involved in triathlon?
Getting to travel the world and meeting different people while doing something that you love. Also, trying to speak a new language, which can be hilarious!

What is the worst part about being involved in triathlon?
Excess luggage!

Greatest sporting moment?
Usain Bolt’s 9.58…

If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be and why?
Pat Rafter…when I was growing up I idolised him because he was so humble when winning and I think he would have some interesting stories.

What keeps you busy outside of triathlon?
I am currently in the middle of my university degree so that I have a something to fall back on after my sporting career. I also like to spend time with family, like drinking coffee with friends and try to relax with a movie every now and again.

Favourite movie?
Shawshank Redemption…but recently watched The Hangover and I found it extremely funny.

Favourite music?
I like a bit of everything…Jack Johnson, Beautiful Girls, Hilltop Hoods, The Kooks, and Empire of the Sun.

Number one place in the world you would like to visit and why?
Ibiza because of the stories I have heard about being a crazy place for a party! ☺

Philosophy on life?
Don't wait for your ship to come in, swim out to it.

WCS Race - Yokohama

Another first for me again this season with my first start at Yokohama for round seven of the ITU World Championships Series . I was pretty nervous going into the weekend with all the big guns racing and staying with the other Australian members. I went into the race wanting to have a good swim and no expectations for the ride and run.

The swim was a two lap course and I looked at the start line before race day and wanted to start as far left as possible, as it was the shortest distance to the first buoy. I was shocked to see Daniel Unger start on the far right furthest away from the buoy. This meant I got a better position as other athletes ranked higher then me chose to start near him, which was stupid in my view. The start horn went and I had a great start and tried to get clear water in the first 150m. Managed to get the first buoy on the feet of first person and felt good in the water. Josh Amberger went to the lead on the way back after the second buoy. I just sat on his feet comfortably for the rest of the first lap and second. Exited the water equal first and headed to T1 with a long run to transition.

Managed to get onto the bike first and work my way out of transition. A group of about 10 athletes formed and I was struggling from the first straight to hang onto the front bunch. I felt as though I didn’t have the strength in my legs. It wasn’t a matter of lack of fitness. The body felt really good, but coming out of corners I didn’t have the strength in the legs to keep up with the bunch. I.e. the stop and go. I found myself off the front two bunches (formed later in the race) on my own riding for about half a lap until Drew Box crashed from the front bunch and got back on his bike near me. We rode together for the remainder of the bike and almost got caught by a little pack behind us. Had a decent T2 and set out for the run. My legs felt super heavy for the first lap with the other guys who come into transition with me put a gap into me early but managed to build into the run and catch a couple. I started feeling a lot better on the third and fourth lap but still have a lot to improve on. I would of liked to see how my form was racing against the best if I didn’t have to knee injury for the last 6 weeks. But injuries are apart of the game and they happen.

I was happy to race my first World Championship Series race in Yokohama in the hot and humid conditions. It has given me a taste of what I want to race in the future!

News article 14/09/2009

Knee injury hampers Shane Barrie's preparation

BY MIKE GANDON

14/08/2009 4:00:00 AM

North Wollongong ironman Shane Barrie will have his first start in the new ITU World Championships Series in Yokohama next weekend.

This will be the last race of seven in the series before the world championships finale on the Gold Coast.

Barrie will be racing the 2008 Olympic gold medalist, Jan Frodeno, of Germany, and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Bevan Docherty, of New Zealand, plus a host of athletes ranked inside the top 20.

"I'll be looking to attack the swim and try to lead out of the water," Barrie said yesterday.

"But I don't expect to run to my full capacity due to my knee injury that I've had for about three weeks.

"I'm getting over it now.

"I'll be going to Yokohama to gain experience in this unique opportunity and to have fun before I come home on August 25.

"I had my first ITU World Cup start last week in Tiszaujvaros, Hungary, where I was third out of the water.

"But I struggled with the bike and run due to the lack of training with the knee."

Photos from ocean swim

Before the race in Hektor Llanos' shop getting ready.
















The swim start!!!!! Carnage!!!!!!















After the race.

L to R: Carlos (Colombian training partner), Myself, Inigo (Host while in Vitoria), Appo and Dave

Ocean Swim in Spain

Had a 2.8km ocean swim race about a hour away from my base (Vitoria, Spain) on Friday. It is the biggest ocean swim in Spain and has 1100 competitors in the race plus spectators on the beach. The race is from Gataria to Zarautz. It starts in the harbour and follows the coast down to the next beach for the finish. I ended up finishing in 3rd across the line. I was very happy with this as the two that beat me were the top Spanish open water swimmers and I was only 15 seconds behind them.

At the presentation they gave out trophies to the top 30. It was amazing and the trophies were all so big! My trophy was approx 35-40cm tall!

Anyway, got my first World Cup next week in Hungary so I'm very excited!

Ill keep you updated,


Shane

Vitoria, Spain

Hola,

Just wanted to give you an update since it has been a while.

I arrived in Vitoria, Spain (Basque country) a week ago from Athlone, Ireland. My race in Ireland didn’t go to plan as I brought a slight injury with me from Varese, Italy (Young Gun’s camp). I DNF the ITU European Cup race in Athlone, Ireland but had a solid swim coming out of the water in third position behind two Frenchmen. The swim was a 2-lap wetsuit swim with a solid current. It was also a pontoon start (first time), which I found pretty exciting and fun. The Irish put on an awesome event with lots of spectators and noise from the fans. This event will hold the 2010 European Championships and I think that will be a great event.

Currently I am getting treatment every 2-4 days from the physio and the back of my knee feels like its slowly getting better. I had to miss just under 2 weeks of training which was very frustrating as I was getting good running form up to this point. I can only do a ride or run session each day, which means I am swimming a lot more than normal. I think I have doubled maybe tripled the amount of swimming kilometres I do each week. The shoulders are getting a workout! Haha

I have my first ITU World Cup start in Tiszjavaros, Hungary in 2 weeks so I am getting prepared for that race which I am very excited about. Although I haven’t had the perfect preparation (with my knee injury) for this race, I am still going there to gain experience and have fun with the Australians boys. I am sure that I will learn a lot from this race, racing the best in the world!

Until next time,

Shane

First World Cup

Just like to inform everyone that I got my first ITU world cup start at Tiszjauvaros, Hungary on the 9th August. Can't wait!

Photos from ITU Asian Cup - Sendai Bay