The Karri Valley Triathlon is not only one of Western Australia’s iconic races but was recently named as a “must do race” throughout Australia. It is easy to see why….it showcases the magnificent southwest, gorgeous lake to swim in, rolling hills through the forests for the 60km cycle followed by a relentless 12km run with a mix of trails, road and grass. Most of the time you are usually going up or down! (hence my quads still feeling a little tender nearly 3 days later!) But we love it!!
Guy and I left Perth early for a couple of days in Bunbury visiting schools to promote the Kids Triathlon which will be on the day before the Busselton 70.3 this year. With stops at Australind Primary School, Grace Christian College and Newton Moore Senior High School, hopefully we have convinced some of them to come and give Triathlon a go! If not….Guy was plenty of entertainment for them anyway!
After our last school visit it was back in the car to continue the journey to Karri Valley Resort which is nestled in the middle of the Karri Forrest in Pemberton and on the edge of Lake Beedelup. It is stunning!! I couldn’t believe that it was the 10th year of this race! Stadium Triathlon Club have done an mazing job making it bigger and better every year!
Friday night we had just enough time to get there, settle in, unpack, go for an easy jog, then it was off to dinner with mum and dad at Salitage Winery.
One of the many highlights of race day is the 10.30am start for the long course!! It was so nice not to have to set an alarm, wake up casually. Walk to transition, register, walk back to the room for breakfast….then there was still plenty of time before race briefing! Back to the room again and we could watch the short course athletes start from our balcony!
For the open competitors it was a non wetsuit swim….after a good warm up…we were ready to go!!
Two laps in the beautiful lake was followed by a 600m run up a small hill back to transition. Katy and I were side by side….but her speedy skills got her through transition quicker than me! We swapped places for the first 15km of the bike and it wasn’t until the turn around I was able to start putting some time into the girls behind me. I finally started to feel good after the first lap and was loving the bike. With Ironman training in the legs you never know how the day is going to go and there was a tough run coming up!
I was definitely a little rusty (okay…a lot rusty!!) and had not undone my running shoes!! PAIN!!! So….had to undo them, put my feet in, then do them up again!! (Don’t ever use me as a quick transition example!! Although Guy has made it his challenge over the next few months….to make me faster!) Eventually…. I made it out onto the run!!
Guy and I always have our own little bets going on during racing and training against each other. He had decided my goal during this race was to not get lapped on the run. That would allow a 4km difference between us! Sure…no worries!! Boy….I was wrong!
As I ran out of transition and up the first hill, Guy was making the turn after his first lap…..we met at the top of the hill where I yelled at him “not such a great plan after all babe!!!”.
There were 3 opportunities on each 4km lap to see where everyone was and Katy and Rachael were running fast and gaining time! I was just hoping not enough time! The run legs were just not there, but I was determined to hang on!
I love this run course…it is tough…but a good tough! And lucky for me there was just enough in the tank to cross the line first with Katy and Rachael both close behind. Watch our for these two at Busselton 70.3!
Thanks again to Stadium Triathlon Club, Karri Valley Resort and all the sponsors and volunteers that helped make this race another great success. Looking forward to next year!
Next up….Goldfields Classic!! See you in Kalgoorlie!!
Special mention to the incredible team I work with! CEEPO, Novatron, SRAM, Quarq, Profile Design, BlueSeventy, Churchhill Cycles, Ryders Eveywear, GU, Rolf Prima Wheels, %110 Play Harder, Super Ruth Chang, Paul Newsome and SwimSmooth, Computrainer, Rock Tape, Swish Design and Mark Eden!
