Noosa Triathlon 2005 Report – By Hayley Frodsham

The Noosa Experience.

WOW!!!! What an awesome experience Noosa was. After 12 months ago saying to Ben that l was going to do this race, l still can’t really believe that l have now completed it. It’s still a bit surreal for me, but at the same time, l’m so proud of myself for having done it.

In the build up to it, l wasn’t that nervous, I was more excited than anything but arriving at Tullamarine airport and seeing other people turn up to the airport with their bikes all boxed up started to bring on the nerves as l was “really” going to Noosa to race.

We (being Ben, Georgie, Jessica, Jo and myself) had a few days to chill out up there prior to the race which was good. We went and had a swim in the canal where the course was, did a ride which covered most of the bike course – including “The Hill” which is nothing if you’ve conquered the hills out at Wildwood – but the coming down part was a bit of fun (l managed to clock my fastest speed ever of 77.5km/hr in the race).

As the Noosa Triathlon is part of the Noosa Multi Sport Festival, it means there is so much to do and see and all within walking distance. Early Friday morning saw Ben head off on the Cannibal Tour De Noosa ride which basically rode the bike leg. Here he enjoyed the company of Robbie McKewan, Cadel Evans and Henk Vogels. The Expo opened on the Friday where there were a few bargains to be purchased, and the Eyeline Swim was held in the afternoon. Registration also opened which was great as l had a nightmare on the Thursday night where Georgie and l were late and they weren’t going to let us race – luckily l was able to sleep well after picking up my registration Kit!!!

Saturday afternoon saw the AFL Triathlon and the Criterium with all the big names in it (and Ben was heckling Robbie McKewan, much to the amusement of Georgie and myself!) So after these events it was back to our accommodation to have tea and get ourselves ready for the next morning.

Even after writing down a list of everything l needed, l still managed to walk part of the way and remember l had left my bike shoes behind. But all was good after that and it was time to get to transition. The place was buzzing, people were busily setting themselves up and chatting, it was great.

Down by the waters edge, l could not believe how many people were there, it was incredible. Surprisingly they had ruled it a wetsuit swim with a water temperature of 23 degrees!! The swim course was good, nice and protected.

The ride was very fast but we all had to be careful as it had started to rain quite heavily. I was really surprised at how many people where having to pull out because of punctures, but it was great at the start and the finish of the ride where you rode past the majority of the crowd, it really spurred you on.

Back into transition and time to head out on the run – boy was that tough. A LONG flat course which seemed never ending, especially on the way up to the turn around (which wasn’t even at the 5km mark). The weather played havoc with us, it would rain which was really nice, but then the sun would come out and it was just so hot when it was out. People were standing outside of their houses with their hoses and squirting you as you ran by which was great. But as you started to get back to where the big crowds were, it really helped to get you going. Kids were wanting “high fives” as you ran by and they would ask you your name then yell out “Go Hayley” it gave you goosebumps. Tackling the col de sacs was tough – you knew you had to do them, but they just seemed to take so long to get around them – especially the last one where you only had 1km left to go. But coming out of the last col de sac and turning onto the home straight was just the best feeling that l can’t even explain it and crossing the finish line – even better!!

It was then home for a well deserved rest and then time to spruce up for the presentations and after party where we had a great night – especially after finding out that Georgie had won her age group (although we did only last till about 11pm – but we had our first Corona at about 4pm!!)

I will definitely be back there next year and hopefully we will have the Tri-Alliance tent set up for our supporters and we have a large and strong crew there competing, it would be great to see. So start thinking about it now – next years race will be on the 29th of October and l’m happy to be involved in organising plans for it as l’m sure l will be heading up there for many years to come.