ACHIEVEMENTS & HIGHLIGHTS

GREATER SPRINGFIELD DUATHLON 2018

Age Group Championship 

30-34

1st place - 1:05:25

It’s no secret that I am not the best swimmer. It is my least favourite leg and definitely the area I lose a bit of time. When I heard about the Duathlon I was excited to give it a go because it was a combination of running and cycling, two disciplines I enjoy. It turns out it was 4 degrees on race morning and I wasn’t used to racing in the freezing cold but this was a good experience. I felt strong and confident on the day and walked away with the age group win. It was a state championship race and because I had won my age group I automatically qualified for the ITU World Championship. That event was in Spain 2019 but given my current parole conditions I was unable to leave the country.

GOLD COAST MARATHON 2019

Gold Coast Marathon 2019

Sub 3 hour

2:58:41

Definitely the highlight of my sporting achievements. This was a spontaneous event for me. I entered with only 10 weeks to go. I knew this would be a challenge but leading up to the event I was running with an amazing group of mates that truly inspired me. They are all strong runners and kept me on my toes. Every Tuesday we would go with the “3 hour balloon group” and do long runs between 15-25km on race pace. 4 minutes 14 seconds per kilometre. I felt confident being able to hold this pace for 25km and afterwards I knew it would be down to mental stamina. No one ever goes into a fight wanting to lose. This was the same for me. There was no way my pride would let me set this goal and not achieve it. 

When we made the turn at 16 kilometres heading back north along the coast I was feeling fresh. I was right beside my mates who had all put in the training like I had. We were all there together hoping to achieve the same goal. I saw my partner and kids at the 32km mark and that gave me the final push to stay strong. Adsy Gordon, a training partner and someone I look up to was running with me on the day. At the 39km mark, he said: “this is your moment, go get it!”. I dug deep and found the last bit of energy I had left and broke away from the 3 hour balloon. 

Crossing the finish line and looking up at my time of 2:58:41 was an incredible feeling. For weeks, I has told myself I could do it. I couldn’t believe it. This really was my moment.

This day will live on with me forever as one of the true moments that changed my life