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| October 10, 2012
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Getting back in the game … 3rd Place- Elite Energy, Ultimate Triathlon-Forster

Written by Nicole Ward,

After a big season of racing, I took a 6 week break from training to recharge and refuel over winter and the last few months I have been purely focused on building my aerobic and strength base for the new season ahead.  As you can imagine, I was excited to get out there again on Sunday, after 5 months since my last race at Ironman Oz, but didn’t want to set too many expectations.   

With my next big goal race being Ironman WA in December, this race was perfect timing to test where things are at with my present form.  The Ultimate Triathlon is a unique long course event run by Mark Emerton and the awesome crew from Elite Energy.  With a 2km swim, 120km bike and 20km run, it’s the perfect distance to kick start your long course racing season!

I love Forster and it was great to head up for the weekend with my husband Bern, and a huge contingent from Balmoral Tri Club.  Watching the final ironman races here years ago, was what inspired me to get into triathlon in the first place so I just love going back to where all the fun began.

Race morning was far from what we were all hoping for with cyclonic winds, so I knew it was going to be a tough day at the office but that’s what I love about this sport- always so challenging and unpredictable!.  The swim leg was at Forster Keys over the old Ironman Australia swim course.   I swam comfortably, (apart from swallowing a gallon of water) from the savage wind chop, but was happy to hit the bike leg in 2nd place behind Lisa, who came out of the water with the top boys.

The 2 lap bike was also along the old ironman course but carried on past the traditional Tarbuck Bay turnaround point and included a couple of extra hill climbs. I faced a number of challenges on the bike leg today.  Firstly my bike computer decided not to work, and within about 10 mins of riding I was pretty sick after swallowing a lot of water in the swim.  I then accidentally dropped all of my nutrition and after riding off, decided it was probably smart if I wanted to finish the race, to ride back and collect it.   I have done enough racing to know that sometimes you just have to roll with the punches, deal with the obstacles, and just keep pushing through.  Thankfully I started to feel a lot better on the second lap and started to gain more power and energy to finish the bike strong.

I hit the run leg in 3rd place and was actually surprised at how good my legs felt.  The 2 lap run also took us over the iconic ironman course; running across the bridge to Tuncurry and back, then over the trails of Pebbly beach and the backstreets of Forster to the golf course at One Mile beach.

I was thrilled to turn around an average day on the bike and finish with a strong run, having the fastest run split, and coming in 3rd position.  Congrats to both Lisa and Bec for having such amazing races.

It’s brilliant to be out racing again and I’m glad that I blew out a few cobwebs before tackling my upcoming goal races of Shepparton 70.3 and Ironman WA.

As always a huge thanks to my wonderful sponsors and extensive support network for your continuing support, with particular mention to; Shimano, Scody, High 5 Sports Nutrition (Fastgear), Blue Seventy, Newton, Oakley, Turramurra Cyclery, Foot Levellers, Energy Link Coaching, Volosport, Team Latitude and of course Team Ward.

Take care and see you at an upcoming race soon!

Nic x

Professional Triathlete

Bachelor of Sports Science- Exercise Science

Level 1 Triathlon Coach

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| October 10, 2012
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Elite Energy Ultimate Triathlon (2, 120, 20), 7 October 2012 – 2nd Place

Written By Rebecca Hoschke,

Just to add my 2 bobs worth, Do you ever NOT see Bec with a SMILE!!! (Onya Bec) , Guy

The Elite Energy Triathlon Festival in Forster, organised by Emmo and his team of local and series partners, was another fantastic and successful weekend including race events from Sprint to Ultimate distance (www.eliteenergy.com.au/forster_2012).   Loads of great races, results and stories from the weekend :-) Picture

With a 4 week block of training under my belt post Port Douglas Half IM, the Ultimate Event (2, 120, 20) was the perfect distance to test where my fitness was at, especially bike strength with a 120km ride in the mix.  Windy but clear sky conditions presented Sunday morning – it was going to be a tough, honest day, just the way I like it.

Swim – 2km, Forster Keys
7am the race kicked off with choppy conditions at Forster Keys (T1).  The swim included a 2-lap rectangular course with the usual smash fest between competitors, around the buoys was a shocker!  Kicked, slapped, dunked, pushed, swum over the top of – all the usual stuff.  Just had to breathe through it, be patient and find my space and rhythm.  As always, I was very glad to get the swim leg over with, see my bike and get on with the stronger legs of my race.

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With cool/windy morning conditions, I raced with my Skinfit Klima Baselayer underneath my race kit – a super light and flexible garment.  Didn’t even feel I was wearing it in the swim, no restriction at all.  No chaffing :-) and did the job perfectly in keeping me warm and comfortable on the bike and run.  Definitely would use the Klima Baselayer again racing in cool conditions :-)

BPictureike – 120km, The Lakes Way
The bike course consisted of 2 x 57km laps out and back along The Lakes Way, followed by a 5km ride into Forster Town Park (T2).  It was blowing gale winds from the start, the bike leg was definitely going to be a test of mental and physical strength!  I felt very average heading out on the first lap, pushing through the wind with flat legs.  As I continued grinding away, my High 5 nutrition eventually kicked in and I started to pick up energy wise.  SaltStick tablets also helped a lot, topping up much needed electrolytes, given the intensity I was riding at. The turn around point at Forster Keys was a highlight seeing all the spectators and cheers of support :-) The second lap of the bike I was feeling a lot better than the first.  The pipes were open, I was finding a rhythm  and energy wise I was feeling a lot more consistent.  I don’t time myself in racing or race with any number crunching gadgets, as I prefer to race on feel, with my nutrition/race plan in background.  This is what works for me, I also find I’m more focused in the moment with this strategy.  I had no idea what my bike split was until seeing the results after the event and was wrapped with a split of 3hrs.17mins given the conditions on the day.
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Run – 20km Forster/TuncurryPicture
The 2-lap run course traces parts of the old Forster-Tuncurry Ironman marathon, which was a highlight given the history behind this iconic event.   The terrain included flat to undulating and couple of challenging hills thrown in the mix.  Overall, I felt my run was relatively consistent, with the back half improving pace wise from previous races this year.  There were couple of flat patches which

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were fixed with coke, water and another Saltstick tablet to keep moving forward.  The spectator and volunteer support was awesome, especially running through Forster Main Beach.  After a long hard day of 5hrs.17mins racing, I was very glad to run down the finish chute :-)  finishing in 2nd place.
Well done to all competitors stepping up to the Ultimate Event.  Definitely a challenging race with the 2,120,20 distances!  Thanks to Lis and Nic for pushing my potential.  And Lis – congratulations mate on another super strong performance taking out the women’s event :-) PictureThere’s so much to be gained from every experience and opportunity, in terms of establishing what’s working well and areas needing improvement in both training and racing.   Racing Foster Ultimate at this stage of my program, was a valuable weekend, lots gained and learned in terms of moving forward.Thank you to my sponsors High 5, SaltStick, Skinfit, Compressport, Bike Addiction, TriShave, Eyeline, ISM, Team Latitude, coach Gilesy, my husband Nige, friends and family for your on-going support.

Check out the Elite Energy 2012-13 season calendar – loads of races at various locations, distances ranging from short to long course triathlon, catering for all abilities and ages.   There’s an event for everyone! Triathlon is a great personal challenge with a fantastic community atmosphere including volunteers and local town support, be a part of it!

www.eliteenergy.com.au/triathlon

Cheers
Bec

http://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/RaceTecResults/Results.aspx?CId=1&RId=753&EId=1

Lisa MARANGON      05:11:03   OpenFemale   1   00:27:20   03:16:05   01:25:26
Rebecca HOSCHKE  05:17:45  OpenFemale   2   00:32:05   03:17:07   01:26:00
Nicole WARD            05:24:49   OpenFemale   3   00:28:25   03:29:51   01:24:32
Natalie SILVESTRO  05:46:03   OpenFemale  4   00:34:37   03:34:18   01:33:06

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Category: Rebecca Hoescke | Tags: ,
| August 29, 2012
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The Livinator! – The HSD Team Latitude is about Triathlon

While the rest of the team are fighting for overall Line Honors, Liv is fighting her own Battle!

OK, Liv isn’t a pro, or a semi pro, in fact she is far from it. BUT Liv is on board because she epitomizes what Triathlon is about! Guts, Determination and overcoming all obstacles! I could argue that her courage is greater than any others on this list of Elite Athletes.

No, we won’t be bringing amateurs into the mix, but Liv was asked to get on board because of the exact reason she is doing Triathlon! We wish her all the best, and look forward to being part of her journey!

Liv has not only made triathlons her passion but has changed her whole world around. Last year, Liv had started her journey in beating obesity and overcoming depression. Her first Triathlon started at Tri-Port weighing in at 120kg and only a couple of months into her new fitness regime. This was a quite challenging task for Liv, but at the end of the day she didn’t let anything get in her way and completed it in 1hr48min. Her passion grew stronger and stronger by training for 6 days a week. Seven months after her fast Triathlon, she competed in the same course at Coral Coast Triathlon and beat her time by 60mins. “My weakest leg at the time was defiantly the swim, pretty much coming out last (55th position)” explains Liv. “However, the strongest leg is the bike. I moved from 55th position into 1st for the females category”.

OH, and by the way, she has also been recruited into the Team as the “Head of Media”.. Go Liv..

Check out her Video! Inspiring stuff….

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| August 10, 2012
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Go Timmy….

This weekend sees Tim Berkel attempt to win 3 Challenge Copenhagens in a row. Last year was nail biting, he won by only 35 seconds. So all eyes will be on Tim.

Good Luck mate.

Read the article below….

KMD Challenge Copenhagen – Who will be victorious?

TORSDAG, 19 JULI 2012 Skrevet af KMD Challenge Copenhagen


KMD Challenge Copenhagen – Will a Dane win on home soil or does Berkel three peat?

Press release from YWC Sports – the organizers of KMD Challenge Copenhagen

Last year’s top-4 in the mens’ race will once again be on the startline to fight for the win at KMD Challenge Copenhagen – the biggest iron distance race in Northern Europe and second largest in the Challenge Family.

The race again attracts the attention of the sport loving Danes and KMD Challenge Copenhagen has since the inaugural race in 2010 boosted triathlon in Denmark.

Almost sold out for iron distance event – triathlon party 3rd year in a row
KMD Challenge Copenhagen only has a few slots left this year and 2,000 athletes will start the race from the lagune with a 3,8 km swim at Amager Beach Park, head through Copenhagen and north at open roads and rolling hills on the two looped 180 km bike course before heading out on the marathon course by the Copenhagen habour front where 150,000 spectators will create a true triathlon party.

KMD Challenge Copenhagen has developed into the biggest annual sports event in Denmark and one of the biggest iron distance events in the World. The 2,000 athletes, the over 150,000 spectators and the beautiful course in the heart of a major European capital makes this a giant event.

“Iron distance triathlon is very special and has an energy and a soul like no other sports. The combination of some of the fittest athletes in the World competing alongside ‘ordinary’ people makes iron distance triathlon a tale of big performances and personal victories and is a place for the big emotions and life changing experiences. When all the emotions, the suffering, the tears and the personal fights are unveiled at the finish line is a unique place to be and magic appears again and again,” Thomas Veje Olsen says.

Fast, Danish runners wants to top the podium
The men’s race have top-4 from last year back fighting it out for the win in the Copenhagen streets. Only two minutes separated all four men last year but is was Aussie Tim Berkel who snathed his second consecutive win only 35 seconds in front of Dane Jimmy Johnsen. The two had battled out a nerve wrecking final run shoulder to shoulder, testing each others limits late in the run before Berkel broke away on the final few kilometers to take the win. Jimmy Johnsen was second and took home the Danish Championship title while Croat Dejan Patrcevic took 3rd just in front of the fast runner, Mads Vittrup-Pedersen who clocked a race best marathon of 2:38:59.

The Danish favorites is once again Johnsen and Vittrup-Pedersen with Berkel and Patrcevic are among the international favorites along with the runner up from 2010 Keegan Williams and Joseph Spindler. Can Berkel three peat or will on of the Danes finally be able to take top honor in the biggest race in Denmark? Both Johnsen and Vittrup-Pedersen are fast on the bike and can run the marathon in the low and mid 2:40′ies. With Vittrup-Pedersen’s 2:38:59 is a course record Johnsen managed a 2:44:01 last year. KMD Challenge Copenhagen is again the Danish  Long Distance Championships.

The race climaxes in front of the Danish Parliament Building at around 3pm Sunday August 12.

In the women’s race two-time champ Rebekah Keat will not defend her title. The pre race favorites must be: Diana Riesler and Edith Niederfriniger.

Fun Triathlons are very popular
The ‘Fun Triathlon’ KMD 4:18:4 has been organized since 2010 for those who wanted to try out a short distance and it was an immediate success. This year more than 3.000 will try the sport of triathlon in KMD 4:18:4 in the days leading up to the iron distance race.

“Danes have really embraced the sport of triathlon the last three years. Last year 2,000 Danes tried triathlon in KMD 4:18:4 and we expect 3,000 this year. A 50 % increase in participants really show how popular triathlon has become and with 5,000 athletes competing in the triathlon events this setup is one of the biggest in the World,” Race Director Thomas Veje Olsen says.

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| July 23, 2012
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An Inspiration – Liv Cole

Written By Guy Besley, Team Latitude,

Ok guys its fair to say that this site appears to be about a bunch of professional triathletes pushing themselevs to the limits and winning races. But thats not really what its about. If you read the small print you will quickly gather its about Triathlon, the Sport, and what it means to all people is different! I have attached some footage below that is not only an inspiration, but captures the true essesnce of this great sport!

Liv Cole – an inspiration

triathlon is about personal goals and acheievments more than anything else, more that winning, beating a competitor or a bit of prize money! For the vast majority of athletes thattoe the start line of a triathlon, be it a super sprint enticer or an Ironman, the goal is the saem; Personal Acheivement!

So take the time to watch this footage, and absolute Kudos to Liv Cole for having the courage to put herself out there and fight her own fight!

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