by Simon Millwright

Brisbane Marine Pilots Pty Ltd was recently offered a chance to sponsor “Team V”, a group of Sunshine Coast based triathletes. BMP was quick to accept this offer and now proudly display their logo on the back of Team V’s custom cycle jersey.

Team V Cycle Jersey

            

Team V is a group of about 15 athletes from the Sunshine Coast, made up mostly of trainers, clients and friends of V Health Fitness and Personal Training. Members of the team compete in a wide range of sports, including cross country running, mountain biking and triathlon.

It’s not all about serious training for the team though. The social aspect of group training should not be underestimated. Most training sessions end at Mooloolaba for a lazy coffee and or breakfast.

   

Cade, Jodie, Simon, Brad and Trich:

Part of Team V

 

 The Mooloolaba triathlon weekend is a great weekend for competitors and spectators alike.

 

 

Swim Exit

 

From Friday onwards, there is no shortage of events and functions to take part in or watch.

Or just hang around and soak up the excitement of one of the worlds largest triathlon festivals.

 The Mooloolaba triathlon is an Olympic distance event consisting of a 1500m swim in the bay off Mooloolaba, a 40km bike leg north along the Sunshine Motorway to Coolum and back, and a 10km run along the foreshore from Mooloolaba to Alexandra Headland and back.

 Race day on Sunday was about as perfect as a Sunshine Coast day can get. Not a cloud in the sky and a light south easterly breeze brought out the best in “Lake Mooloolaba”, crystal clear water and a low swell.

This was a welcome relief after last years river slog with the murky water and raging tide.

 It was a fast swim for everyone, with Brad having a swim split placing him amongst the open and fastest age group competitors.

 

Trichie out of the swim

 

Trichie had her usual blistering swim coming out near the front of her age group.

The bike leg of the Mooloolaba tri is one of the best you will find anywhere. 40 “k” out and back on (mostly!) flat, smooth highway. You just get on the highway, put your head down and go.

 

Cade on the run

 

The bike can be a bit tough if a strong south easterly wind is blowing, but we were all lucky not having to push into too much of a headwind on the way back south.

Brads mechanical problems continued with a flat tyre on the way north, costing him about 10 minutes.

Cade and Simon both had good bike legs, with Cade easily making up the time he dropped on the swim.

 

Simon striding out

 

The run at Mooloolaba can best be described as tough. Three laps over Alex hill can really push the pain barrier. The run leg is also the part of the race when most of our supporters are on the side of the road; yelling and cheering us on, screaming about how strong we are still looking and how close we are to the finish line.

 

Kristen and Jodie - Our Loyal Supporters

 

There is no more satisfying a feeling than running down the hill for the last time, pushing the final “k” into the finish line at Mooloolaba.

Each one of us from Team V did a personal best this year. No matter what the clock says, as long as we have all put in the best effort and raced as hard as we could, that is what keeps us training and lining up at the next start line.

     

 

             Cade, Simon and Brad