7 Days at HPT
A multistage gravel race
A half marathon
An Aquathlon
A Duathlon
A Cross Triathlon
An Aquabike
A Long Course Triathlon
7 days of grit, discipline, determination and excellence
That sums up what Endurance Sport is and what HPT is about. Diverse racing in tough conditions, executed by well prepared athletes that were fit, skilled and competitive.
Shimano Gravel Muster - Alice Springs :
Paul Humphreys and Matt Bazzano headed off to the Red Centre for a 4 Stage Gravel “race” and picked up some juicy heat for their efforts with the weather turning on their hottest winter days on record.
4 stages of 45km, 150km and 2 x 90km were on the plan and both of the lads nailed it. Why? They are both consistent trainers. But they are both different also. Humps with his recent bike crash and abdominal tear was forced to ride indoors a lot. Baz has a steady recipe of road rides combined with Zwift as well as keeping “gym fit” a few days a week.
Sydney Half Marathon
Riley Kilham has been really into his run lately and had clear targets for this race. He wanted to crack 1:20, but also was just keen to lay down a strong race that he could be happy with. His last couple of races he was a bit flat after interupted preps.
He nailed both goals … A 1:18:55 half (course was long at 21.5km) left him a very happy athlete. Killa had the nagging doubts every athlete has but we worked through them and stuck to process and the outcomes were what he wanted. A great reminder to everyone that great races aren’t easy. They come from a process mindset, hard work and working on your own self doubts.
World Triathlon Multisport World Championships - Townsville :
What a week ! 4 races over 7 days. Lots of great performances and good old fashioned fun.
The week really had a strong World Champs vibe with everyone in Aussie kit all week and the famous heart beat sounds on every start line to get the blood pumping
Sunday - Cheyne Lowder kicked us off on Sunday in the Standard Duathlon. A really tough event starting with. 10k run then onto a 40k bike finishing with a 5k run.. Cheyno nailed it and came in in 12th place in 2:13:44
Tuesday - Darren Alchin and Jeff Davis were next up on Tuesday in the Cross Duathlon. Run over a 1km swim, 20k MTB and a 6k trail run, the course was brutal. Daz and JD smashed it but of course. Daz with 9th place in 1:59:52 and JD in 13th place with a 1:59:10.
Friday - Maddie Morton was on the Aquathlon start line today. One of two races for her with the Long Course on her schedule two days later. This race is a 2.5km run, 1km swim and another 2.5km run. Maddie didn’t hold back for anyone and smashed a quick start out, then quickly settled into 4min/k’s holding that for both runs. End result was a 11th place finish and a time of 41:09.
Sunday - Long Course Triathlon 3k / 114k / 30k and Aquabike 3k / 114k
The Aquabike first and we had Amanda Behrendt, Kerry Morris and Sam Judd on the start line. Amanda fresh of a prep for 5min rowing races at Nationals just had enough time for a quick endurance prep and it got her a strong 5:00:59 result in 19th place. Kerry Morris was dead keen for the 114km bike but wary of the swim. She shouldn’t have worried as she held up really well for 12th place in 4:40:37. Sam came in hot after a disrupted prep from a work training course. Sam raced really strong and finished in 4th place in 4:31:13
The Long Course would see the week out and we chipped away at getting the team home one by one.
Maddie Morton killed it ! I watched over her longest race ever with pure coaching joy. Mads didn’t let an interrupted prep faze her one bit. Her Instagram post saying “3k swim, 114km bike, 30k run, smiled the whole way” summed up a race that was outstanding. 12th place and 7:51:31
James Martin came in in 3rd place and 5:48:06. Jimmy has gone through a lot of change lately and was unsure of how he would go. Coaching for him was conversations, reassurance, guidance, direction. Jimmy now heads towards Kona a much clearer minded athlete as we get him in final shape.
Next up … GTrain. Greg Attwells built really well for this race and is gradually becoming the athlete he dreams of being. Greg follows process meticulously and engages in the plan strongly. The result of 16th in 6:42:42 was reward for effort and joyful yet disciplined training.
Jeff Davis is perhaps one of the most clear minded and organised athletes around. Always ready and always racing strong, JD doesn’t put a foot wrong. His finish was outstanding in 6:52:33 and 11th place.
James Knight has eyes on Kona and wanted to use this as an ideal opportunity to prepare for a long hot race and see where he should adjust for the final 8 week block. Jimbo was faultless in his execution and finished strongly with 7:00:37 and 15th place.