Chengdu Premium Asian Cup

Last week I headed across to China with a group of four Aussie athletes to compete in the Chengdu Premium Asian Cup. I am not the biggest fan of long-haul flights, so having an unexpected night in Hong Kong was a welcome surprise after we missed our final connection. Getting upgraded to a premier suite for the night was definitely a highlight, with a view to die for from my room.

Race day began with a 12km ride to the venue. The venue is a specifically designed triathlon course, which meant the roads and set-up were world class. Despite the 30+ degrees outside temperature, the race was still a wetsuit swim, giving us good motivation to get the wetsuit off quickly into T1. I was also excited to show off my brand new race kit, thanks to Vorgee and Cannibal Insport. I'm sure it was hard to miss!

Unfortunately, I had an average swim/bike day and was left disappointed and unsatisfied. My run, however, was a huge improvement on this season's performances, proving that it is moving in the right direction. I came away with 6th place overall and the first of the Aussies.

Whilst in Chengdu, I was lucky enough to visit the Panda Research Base. I had never seen pandas before so it was an incredible (not to mention super cute!!) experience and one I would definitely recommend.

I am really looking forward to riding to Noosa next week to kickstart our club training camp. I will keep you posted on the camps' progress here so make sure you stay tuned!

Ellie xx

Easter Base Training Block

Over the Easter weekend, instead of tucking into piles of chocolate eggs and hot cross buns, I spent the long weekend in my biggest base block to date.

Good Friday began with a 5km swim set at 5.30am to wake us up and prepare us for what was to come. The group was generously given some time for brekky before embarking on our 130km ride out to Mt Mee and back. We ended up arriving back around 2.30 in the arvo and I can confidently say that I have never been so pleased to get the bike saddle out from under my bum!

Saturday morning began at 6am with an easy swim and run session. It's safe to say that nobody complained about not having a ride session that day. This was followed by a much needed 3hr nap and a massage to get the legs back in working order. Another swim and run session came our way that afternoon, with a speed run session making sure we got the best out of ourselves when we didn't think we could. It's definitely those sessions that you get the most out of and feel the most satisfied with. After all, you only get out what you put it.

Sunday morning meant heading out to Mt Nebo and Mt Glorious for another 6hr ride. With my incredible navigational skills, I managed to take my group out to Mt Nebo the back way, forcing us up climbs as steep as 20%. I was not on top of the Christmas card lists that day, that's for sure. Sunday afternoon was time to relax and recover so, after a midday nap, dad and I headed to kangaroo point for Easter lunch. Under strict dietician's orders, there was definitely no chocolate involved!

I am really looking forward to putting all my hard work into action next weekend in Chengdu, China. Stay tuned for my results.

Ellie xo

Caloundra QTS Race 5

Yesterday I competed in my first race for 2013 at Caloundra. I had been very excited for a number of weeks now and was keen to get out and compete after a long base block over the Christmas/New Year period. The race was only 400m/15km/4km so I was using it as a hit out for the Geelong Continental Cup next weekend and to blow out the cobwebs ahead of a long season.

I came out of the water in 2^nd position, but immediately took the lead within the first 100m of the cycle. I put a fair amount of time into the other girls on the bike, jumping off with a substantial margin. I have been practicing surge running a great deal in training lately and was keen to execute this. I went out onto the run and laid down a number of short, sharp surges. I was reasonably happy with my run however, I think I still had more to give and failed to access that. I still did enough to hold onto the lead though, and only have a week until I can have another crack at giving everything of myself. Congratulations to Anna and Kirra who rounded out the podium yesterday.

I am really looking forward to racing the Geelong Continental Cup next Sunday and having a fast, solid race. I am also excited to once again be working with Vorgee, Bicycle Riders Morningside and Adidas Eyewear this season.

Ellie xx 

Lucky Number 13

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. I hope you had a well-deserved break and enjoyed some time with family and friends. I was lucky enough to catch up with my loved ones over the festive season and enjoy some quality time with them. Below are a couple of happy snaps from my time at the Gold Coast :)

2012 was definitely a year of highs and lows for me and taught me more about myself than I ever thought possible. In saying that, I was very excited to welcome the new year and a fresh start in 2013.

Here are the things I am most looking forward to this year...

1. Heading back over to Europe
2. Racing the French Grand Prix Series with Tri St Amand-Dun 18
3. Getting the best out of myself and pushing myself beyond where I think possible
4. Winning!

Hope you have set yourself some goals for this year and are willing to do whatever it takes to reach them. I would like to share this picture with you. I look at it everyday and it makes me smile so I hope it brightens your day too. 

Ellie xx

Just Keep Swimming

Yesterday was a great day at the Million Metres for MND swim. Together, the Cairns family and I swam 10km to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease.

Amongst all the swimming, I was lucky enough to meet some amazing people, including Scott Sullivan, MND sufferer and the driving force behind the MND and Me Foundation. He is such an inspiration and an incredible person. Between all the participants and donations, $150,000 was raised for the Foundation. Such an amazing feat for a great cause.

I also had the chance to swim with sporting Legends, Susie O'Neill, Jess Schipper, Brad Beven and Sam Burgess, who were supporting the event. Was great to mingle with them and hear about their illustrious sporting careers. One thing is for sure, I have never felt so tiny as when I was standing next to footy legend Sam Burgess...

All in all, the Million Metres for MND was a huge success and I am so glad I could be a part of it. A huge thank you to Kevin Cairns for his help and support and the rest of the Cairns clan for allowing me to be a part of their team.

Ellie xx

Diet of Champions

With Christmas just around the corner, I thought this would be an ideal time to let you in on my diet and nutrition plan to help me get in shape for the 2013 triathlon season.  Lauren from EatSmart Nutrition has been amazing for the past 6 months at keeping me race ready and, after a small break from training, is helping me get straight back into the swing of things.

With a huge amount of trial and error, Lauren and I have worked hard to find the right diet for me. So, here is a typical daily food log…

4.45am – Pre training:

• 175g low fat yoghurt

9.30am – Post training:

•  ½ cup ‘Protein First' breakfast cereal
• 175g low fat yoghurt
• Coffee on soy milk

1pm – Lunch:

• Salad with 50g meat/chicken/fish

3pm – Afternoon tea:

• Piece of fruit

6.30pm – Dinner:

• Steamed veggies or salad
• 150g chicken/meat/fish

So, have you got your Christmas diet sorted? If not, pop in to see Lauren and let her help you get race ready for the 2013 tri season!! Happy eating.

Ellie xx

Million Metres for Motor Neurone Disease

Earlier this month, I received an email from Kevin Cairns, a fellow triathlon club member, about an amazing man by the name of Scott Sullivan. Scott has Motor Neurone Disease and received a very grim prognosis when diagnosed two years ago. The email I received read like this...

"I would like you to e-meet Scott Sullivan and hear his story because it is truly inspirational. When Scott was diagnosed and told MND has no known cause or cure and that the average life expectancy for those with MND was 27 months, he had less than a day of feeling sorry for himself then set about turning things around. Scott was only 38, married and had two small children.

Scott discovered that Government help for sufferers was almost non-existent and support for Queensland sufferers of MND just didn't exist. So he set about making a difference. Scott founded MND & Me, a charitable organisation with 3 objectives; ensure sufferers have at least basic living standards, provide funds for research and generate awareness of MND.

MND is a disease that occurs when the nerve cells (neurones) controlling the muscles that enable us to move around, speak, swallow and breathe fail to work normally. With no nerves to activate them, the muscles gradually weaken and waste. While some people can live a long time with MND, the average life expectancy is 2 to 3 years from diagnosis.

Scott has spearheaded MND & Me to raise almost $1m in two years and has generated tremendous publicity to ensure all objectives are met. Scott still has quality time for family and is working through his bucket list. Scott was honoured with a Pride of Australia Medal last year."  

I was lucky enough to personally meet Scott Sullivan earlier this year. I was so inspired by his positivity and outlook on life, despite his battle with MND. 

Along with the above email, was an invitation to participate in Scott's latest initiative to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease, Million Metres for MND. It is a 10km swim, completed either individually or as a team, on Sunday December 2. Together, all teams and individuals will swim more than one million metres, creating publicity and bringing awareness to the cause.

If you would like to help us reach our goal of $10,000 for MND, please make a donation to our team, by visiting this link http://www.everydayhero.com.au/just_keep_swimming_4. 

I am really looking forward to the swim and know it will be a great day. I urge you to find out more about Scott Sullivan and his quest to find awareness by visiting his website at http://www.mndandme.com.au. 

Ellie xo