Takin' on the jellies

In this blog Coached athlete Harriet Teare talks about her time in Australia where she has been for a few months on a work placement. She discusses how she battles the elements, the Jellies and the Language as a "Pommie" abroad.

There’s nothing like moving to the other side of the world to shake up all your triathlon habits.

Having been training with TTH since August 2013, and based in Oxford all that time, my routine was firmly ingrained. I knew exactly which route was good for fartlek, what time to hit the track to avoid the boxing team, and when to head to the pool to minimise lane rage. And if something came up, I also knew the contingencies off by heart.

One major opportunity of working in Melbourne for 9 months has been a massive overhaul of the ingrained plan (that and a bit of winter sunshine).

The major advantage of training in Australia is the swimming. The pools are ridiculous, the weather is amazing, and I am already dreading returning to 25m, covered, over-chlorinated queuing.

Of the three sports, the swim is probably just about my ‘strongest’, but in Masters Swimming I am firmly in the slow lane. The pool is less than 1k from home, with swim squad sessions 5 times a week (think exercise class where anyone can show up, but with a coach setting an ambitious swim-set). The squad is a hugely supportive and friendly bunch, and once we got past the language barrier (asking for a float was met confusion – although I wasn’t sure if that was a UK/Oz thing or a non-swimmer/swimmer thing!) I've been warmly welcomed. Squad sessions are equal parts swimming, gossip and coffee, and I love having company, not having to worry about what other people in the lane are doing, and having to work hard to keep up!

I’ve signed up for the ‘Great Victorian Swim Series’, a set of sea swims at various beaches around the bay; so the other new experience I’m getting the hang of is sea swimming. The list of firsts include: racing through enormous motion sickness inducing waves, getting used to the beach start (advice from my squad: ‘run until you can’t and then swim’ – thanks guys!), and most recently taking on hundreds of jellies. I did a sprint tri a couple of weeks ago and saw one or two jellyfish, looked up to see if anyone else was put off, they weren’t so I figured that must be ok. Sunday’s race was the same type of jelly, but literally hundreds of them looming out of the inky waves, and my look up for reassurance resulted in witnessing several swimmers freaking out and being pulled onto the safety launch. Money in the mental-strength bag for the swim leg in any other race ever, so long as its jellyfish free!

For the bike and the run it’s all a bit more familiar… they stick to the left, stop at ALL the traffic lights, and so long as you add sunscreen reapplication to the transition routine it’s all good.

On the back of all this change, I toed the line for IRONMAN Geelong 70.3. I hadn't managed a 90k ride since September, training had been disrupted by a trip back to the UK, and frankly I was nervous. In the end it was a beautiful day out, and I put in a reasonable performance. It reminded me that I have a solid foundation from the past few years with TTH, and that its now time to start trying to compete, rather than just getting to the finish line in one piece! I’m hoping a few more months in Melbourne now that my new clubs (running, swimming, cycling and coffee) and new routine, are all set up that I can see some great improvements!

Too fast for the camera! Thanks to 2XU events for the image.

Tri Training HarderMarch 2, 2018Racing, Coached Athlete, Training, AGComment

What do I need to race well in a winter duathlon or triathlon?

Every multisport event has its own logistics challenges, but racing in the cold can add a whole new level of complexity. As the nights draw in, Coach Denise examines the specific demands of winter racing and ensures that all the bases are covered.

Can you avoid drafting in triathlons? Navigating Reality and Making the Most of Your Race

In this latest article, Coach José explores how drafting is a part of the sport, why there are drafting rules, what to do if you find yourself stuck amongst the drafting group, and how to ensure you race with integrity.

What Makes Tri Training Harder's Athlete Network Special?

In this article, we explore Tri Training Harder’s community-driven approach and how building a supportive and inclusive athlete network fosters success. Featuring stories from Tri Training Harder community members, the article highlights how collaboration and shared knowledge positively impact athletes, emphasising the value of a collective, inclusive environment for athletes of all levels.

Why should you Integrate Physiotherapy and Nutrition into Endurance Training

This article explores the science behind endurance training, focusing on the crucial roles of physiotherapy and nutrition. With insights from Tri Training Harder’s expert partners, including physiotherapists and nutritionists, we highlight how their expertise is integrated into training plans to enhance athlete performance and prevent injury, underscoring the importance of a well-rounded approach to endurance training.

What is The Power of Holistic Endurance Coaching?

This article delves into the power of holistic coaching, emphasising our comprehensive approach that goes beyond just a training plan. By incorporating mental, physical, and emotional support, this coaching strategy has helped athletes thrive. Testimonials from current athletes highlight the significant benefits of this well-rounded methodology, reinforcing the importance of a holistic approach to coaching.

How can you Balance Endurance Training with a Busy Life: Tips from Tri Training Harder

This article explores practical strategies for balancing endurance training with a busy lifestyle. Drawing on insights from TTH coaches, the article offers advice on effective time management, prioritising workouts, and finding the right balance between triathlon training, work commitments, and personal life.

How is fear transmitted amongst athletes before an endurance event?

At some recent events, we have overheard athletes talking about their concerns and have been intrigued by how their fears have rippled out. In this latest article, Coach Philip explores how fear is spread and how it can impact athletes. More importantly, he also identifies how athletes can mitigate this group-social effect and rise above this group phenomenon.

What happens to my swim speed in open water

For most triathletes the majority of their swim training is done in a swimming pool. While this allows for the athlete to spend time on drills, technique and speed work, most triathlons involve a swim in open water. In this article Coach Denise looks at what impacts your speed when moving from the pool into open water.

What should you wear for a cold triathlon?

Although racing in the UK has many perks, one downside is that we don’t usually get the excessive heat that some of our European and US friends are accustomed to racing in. In this article, Coach Philip explores some top tips for racing in the cold.

Warming up for the swim, on the land

The first leg of any triathlon event is the swim, but how can you make sure that you are ready to race from the starting hooter? In some events it is possible to get into the water for a quick few minutes recce, but this is often not an option. In this blog Coach Denise takes a look at how you can get ready to race from the moment you enter the water.

Getting into cold water – acclimatising and having fun

At the start of race season, as thoughts turn to open water swims, one of the key considerations is, just how do you swim comfortably in cold water. In this article Coach Denise uses her extensive experience of swimming in Scotland to look at how best to make the transition from the pool to outside, helping you to have the best swim leg you can.

Planning to fuel or fuelling to plan?

Every year, nutrition and its strategies take centre stage in our conversations with athletes. It's a subject that sparks genuine curiosity and interest. Yet, the challenge lies in translating this knowledge into effective race strategies. Coach Philip delves into some common pitfalls in nutrition strategy, emphasising the potential for significant performance improvements.

Why is a Warm-up Important?

We all know warm-ups are important, but when it comes to racing, we tend to do things differently than in training. Coach Philip explores why the warm-up is important.

Takin' on the jellies

Read the latest content from Tri Training Harder Coaching

Sign up to receive the latest news and updates from Tri Training Harder

Believe. Strive. Achieve.