Monday

Today I woke up at Stuart’s parent’s house, as I am flying from Heathrow on Tuesday it made more sense for me stop here and travel with Stuart early Tuesday morning. So, this morning we got up and did a spin on the bike around Richmond Park, it was first time for me around Richmond and it reminded me so much of a park back in Sydney.

Isn’t it weird how one minute you’re cycling amongst the hussle and bussle of main roads and traffic and then the next you’re into a park surrounded by loads of cyclists and runners… brilliant!!

Tuesday

Travel day. Well, anyone who has travelled to anywhere in America knows that it is not the easiest journey in the world to make. We started off at five in the morning leaving for our flight to Chicago and then onto Des Moines, where TJ met us at the airport.

TJ is a long distance elite triathlete who Stuart met out in Australia a few years back. Once we found TJ we all went for some lunch and then travelled to his parents house where me and Stuart were staying.

Oh my God, what a place! The house, or more like, mansion, we were staying in was gorgeous. It compromised of; a games room, cinema room, the best living and kitchen rooms, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and who knows how many bedrooms! Basically, you name it, they had it.

I felt like I was living in something from MTV cribs! A huge thank you to Nan and Rick for having me there! Xx

Wednesday

So, up early and in for a swim with TJ and Stuart. The plan was to just keep mainly ticking over really, keeping the feel for things and not wasting any energy. Me and Stuart spent most the day watching movies in the cinema room! Life is good and I am one spoilt lucky lady indeed!

Thursday

Up early for a swim with TJ and Stuart again with some pickups and yet again, just ticking over for the day. I met tiny Ashley – TJ’s fiancee – I don’t think I have ever seen anyone so tiny!

A runner, a great runner and so lovely! After swimming, it was back to TJ’s house and he showed me something that could save a lot a people a lot of money, especially when in the USA but also all around the world really!

It’s a bike bag that is within the dimensions so you don’t have to pay (or something) anyway it’s absolutely fantastic, so take a look www.rustersports.com.

On the evening me and Stuart went out with all of TJ’s family for dinner which was really nice. They are such a nice family, really close and very supportive, it truly was great meeting and chatting with everyone.

Friday

This morning the rain came big time! And I tell you, when it rains here it really does rain! Luckily it stopped just in time for us to go and swim in the lake where we are going to be swimming on Sunday, it was really warm which was ace, about 23 degrees Celsius.

So I am thinking non wetsuit swim, which suits me fine. Then later on that evening it was race briefing, nothing really new to be honest, well apart from the big prize purse for winning and being first out the water.

It will be an interesting battle for the latter, between Hayley Perisol and Sara McClarty, I wouldn’t like to pick between them to be honest.

It’s great to be surrounded by the World’s best of the best – European, World and Olympic Champions, the excitement is building.

Saturday

It is the big day before the race. Well, to be honest it’s been really relaxing, I did what training I needed to do this morning and then chilled for the rest of the day.

We had the England V USA match to watch, which was good considering what country I am in! But oh dear… what the hell are we doing? The only good thing about the match was it took my mind off the race and I was off out for dinner with Stuart, TJ and Ashley!

Sunday

Race Day! So, this is the day I’ve been waiting for. The build up has been huge, mainly because I wanted to test myself against the best of the best but also because of the big prize fund.

I’m not going to lie. I really needed to do well in this race for that reason also. When you’re not being supported by the federation I then have to rely heavily on family and friends which I hate, but for this year, has to be done.

Anyway, this morning Ashley picked me up and took me down to the race venue. At this time I wasn’t sure if the race was going to go ahead as the thunder and lightning was the worst I had seen. Luckily the rain stopped, the sky cleared and the humidity was up to 95%! Bring on the race!

Right, introduced onto the pontoon, the gun went and off I went. I had a good start and got straight onto some quick feet (not too sure who it was?).

I was swimming great and felt really good sat in the lead pack. I came out at the halfway point and saw I was in great company, with Helen Jenkins, Sarah Haskins and Laura Bennett. So, apart from the two USA girls off out in front, I was in a good position.

Out the water, in and out of T1 and in the lead pack on the bike. Doing some turns but not too much and it all really kept the same on the bike. A few girls just sat there as always but there we go! Now onto the run, I haven’t felt like I have been able to run how I want to run so far this year yet, so hopefully today was going to be the day!

I went in and out of T2 in about 10th position and the lead girls already had a bit of a gap in front, with Emma Moffatt leading the way, but the way I love to run was what I had planned. I went out hard and went straight to the front. I was running how I wanted to run and it stayed like that up until just before 3k to go, when Emma Snowsill showed why she is Olympic Champion and came flying past at such speed, I tried to go with her but my legs wouldn’t let me.

This is where the pack split up and Emma Moffatt , Helen Jenkins, Andrea Hewitt and Paula Findley showed their strength and left myself and Laura Bennett to battle it out for sixth and seventh place. Before this race I had beaten Laura and she had beaten me, so we were both on for the battle, but she was too strong for me today and I ended up seventh.

I am so pleased with how I raced today and I know it’s all coming together. I have to remember that I am only 21 and learning more and more every race.
I want to end this blog by first saying thank you to Stuart and Michelle for letting me basically live at their house for the past month and to my family and friends for all the support they show me day in and day out.

I have met some great new friends on this adventure. The Tollakson family have put me up in their home and came to support me on race day. I was a total stranger to them, so thank you. I must give a special mention to Ashley who was my Michelle for the day and did an awesome job with taking care of me race day.

Now I am having a day of dirty food in the United States of America to celebrate! Thanks for tuning in guys. See you all very soon

xxx