Headlines

• October race results now online on the Race page - photos coming soon
  
  
• Club Associate Memberships Now Available.
  
  If you are one of those people who come along to just about every race to cheer on a friend or family member but don't ever brave the course yourself, perhaps you'd like to consider becoming an Associate Member of the club.
  
  This will enable you to help out with marshalling (and will enable your racer to qualify for pointscore points), put you into the draw for monthly prizes, and most importantly allow you to have a say in the direction of the club and vote at the annual AGM.
  
  To become an associate member, just click HERE to print out the new membership form and bring it along with you at the next club race with your Associate Membership joining fee of just $5.00
  
  
  
• World Ironman Championships Results
  
  Matt and Brett both did the club proud - finishing the World Championship course when champ like Chris McCormack had to pull out during the cycle leg. No doubt the guys will give us a full wrap-up in due course, but here's their finishing times
  
  

• Matt Porta
  Swim	3.8km	1:02:42
  Bike	180km	5:21:57
  Run	42km	3:04:57
  	TOTAL	9:37:44

  
  

  Brett Stewart
  Swim	3.8km	1:14:22
  Bike	180km	5:15:52
  Run	42km	3:57:38
  	TOTAL	10:37:38

  
  
  ----------

• Dates for 2008/2009 Summer Triathlon Series announced:
  
  

  • October 26/10/08
  • November 30/11/08
  • December 28/12/08
  • January 18/01/09
  • February 22/02/09
  • March 29/03/09
  • April 26/04/09
    

  • With the TriNSW Club Championships to be held on May 02/05/09

  ----------

Next Club Race: 26 OCT 08 Triathlon Race 1

NPC Oceania & Australian Duathlon Championships

Mingara Central Coast Triathletes brought home three gold medals at the NPC Oceania & Australian Duathlon Championships at Nobbys Beach Newcastle last Sunday.

The event consisting of a 10km run, a 40km Bike and 5km run was cancelled last year when the Pasha Bulka beached on Nobbys Beach in the June storms. No cancellation this year with perfect sunny cool conditions.

The 10km run was 2 loops of 5km taking in the pathway out to the end of Nobbys Breakwater. The cycle course was a quad-shattering 6 laps looping around from Nobbys Beach to the top of King Edward Park.

Around 200 athletes from all over the country participated with first and second coming from Victoria and Western Australia.

The event offers and Elite division and local Chris Dmitrieff who had won the age group race at the 2005 World Duathlon Champs had to withdraw to a broken chain.

In the age group race Matt Porta blitzed the field to be only four mins behind the Elite and was the overall Age Group winner and also the 30-34 age winner.

Rob Hekking of Bateau Bay had a great bike leg and took out the 60-65 category.

Margaret Beardslee finished in the top 10 overall women with expected strong running legs and won the 50-55 category.

Other Mingara Central Coast Triathlon Club competitors were Nichelle Ray, Andrew Mildren, Ken Kirk and Mark Atmore. Full results at www.multisportaustralia.com.au.

Also a huge congratulations to Hayden Shepherd with an impressive 4th place overall finish in the 4km run/16km bike and 2km run Enticer race also held. Hayden is on the comeback trail from illness – look out for him this coming triathlon season!!!

Well done to the other Mingara club members in the Enticer race including Roger Belmer, Peter Walker, Jasmine and Sasha Frankel and Anne Porta.

2008 - AGM President's Report

August 21 2008 at Mingara Recreation Club

The 2007-2008 year has been a tremendous success for the Mingara Triathlon Club. We are socially focused and our reputation as a friendly and well organised club is becoming widespread. Yet the competition at our monthly club races is a fierce as any selection race.

The goals at the beginning of the year we quite simple:

1. Grow our numbers, particularly in the female and Junior ranks
2. Make money
3. Become the number one Country Club at the Triathlon NSW Club Championships

I am so please to say that we are well on our way to achieve all of those goals.

From an administrative perspective:

1. We have seen a tremendous growth in numbers, with a subsequent flush of funds.
2. We have benefited from an excellent level of sponsorship support.
3. Mingara Recreation Club continues to be a major benefactor to the Triathlon Club with a larger contribution in 2007-2008 than previous years.
4. Local bike shops Pushy Galore and The Edge Cycle Centre for their excellent support in the form or product and services give-aways
5. The cooperation of Orbea Australia who will provide our next generation of uniforms with significant discounts and technical advice.
6. The superior quality of our web site has attracted the interest from a variety of service providers who have contributed to the clubs operation.

We are a sporting club and the success of our athletes has been exciting:

1. Our Club again placed 4th country club at the NSW Club Championships and we are aiming higher for the 2009 event.
2. Individual results have been reported throughout the year. Some of our elite athletes achieving high placing. Matthew Porta, Rob Hekking, Suzanne Chandler and Brett Stewart must be singled out for mention here.
3. The Club achieved amazing recognition when when had three members winning awards at the 2008 Mingara Sports Person of the Year Awards night, Including the prestigious Sports Person of the Year .
4. The numbers of club members who are participating in the sanctioned races around the state and nationally is continually on the rise.
5. A special mention must go to all the current competing athletes for the exemplary behaviour at our club races. These times are not kind to sporting groups who might need to use our roads. We have not had a single incident that has caused concern by residents, council or NSW Police. Congratulations and lets keep that up.  

We are now heading toward our fourth year of events an the Summerland Point venue and it looks like being our best year ever. This success did not happen by accident and I would like to than those that contributed to our good fortunes. Firstly Greg Glass who had the vision to get us started. Grant Rollo who put in the hard yards to get the initial formal approvals. Al Pearson and Jason Freeny for keeping the club going through a period when it was sometimes impossible to present a race and to the current committee. This committee has done an excellent cooperative job to build on the platform of the previous committees. Congratulations an best luck for the future. 

Ian Cuthbertson
Mingara Triathlon Club
President

Suzanne Chandler at the World Age Group Championships

Congratulations to Suzanne on an outstanding result in Canada despite the terrible conditions. 

For the Record:

Spain's Javier Gomez and Greta Britain's Helen Tucker won the elite race. The overall winner for the female Age Group competition was in fact an Aussie Michelle Wu who raced in the 25-29 Age Group.

In Suzannes age group the top 10 results were:

And Suzanne's sister who is an Age Group  World Champion

Mingara Sportsperson of the Year Awards

The Mingara Sportsperson of the Year Awards were presented last night, where Mingara Triathlon Club had its best year ever.

• Most Promising Senior Sportsperson - Brett Stewart
• Masters Sportsperson of the Year - Rob Hekking
• Senior Sportsperson of the Year - Matt Porta

In the category of Most Valued Volunteer in a Senior Club James "Dog" Musgrave was a nominee but missed out on getting a gong. Congratulations to all the award winners.

There was incredible competition in every category, as clearly the Central Coast is a hot bed of talented sport people.

Congratulations to all members of the Triathlon Club, as each award recipient thanked the support they get from the rest of the club.

Mingara Recreation Club did not get an award but they certainly deserve recognition for the way the night went, the venue and the catering.

Thanks to Rob Hekking for organising the Tickets.
Thanks also to Anne Porta for decorating the tables.

Suzanne Chandler at the ITU World Olympic Distance Championships

A huge congratulations to Suzanne Chandler on her 8th place finish in the 35-39 Age Group at the recent ITU World Olympic Distance Triathlon championships held in Vancouver, Canada.

Suzanne is a newer member of our club, however has been preparing quietly for the world champs, which were apparently held in very trying, cold conditions causing the swim to be cancelled for safety reasons with the water at 12.5C and strong winds for some age groups and replaced by a 3km run, and shortened in other age groups to 1100m – Suzanne got to brave the chilly conditions prior to the swim being cancelled. Suzanne completed the race in 2:12:30.

Well done (even if she did race for Canada J), and hopefully we will get a full race report on her return!

2008 Sydney Half Marathon

Well despite the threat and a windy and rainy day for the annual Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon, a number of brave souls ventured south to run the city streets without the threat of being run over by cars and buses!!!

The 21.1km course saw competitors wind through 2 laps of what is a renowned tough marathon course through the city, taking in sights such as Mrs Macquarie’s chair, starting and finishing in a new location this year at Hyde Park.

In the end, Sydney turned on near perfect running conditions despite a chilly start!

Well done to the following club members, with some impressive times being turned in over the half marathon distance – no doubt just a warm-up for next weekend’s first Club Duathlon!!!

If you raced and your results are not here, please let us know how you did!!!!!

Results
Matt Porta – 1:15:50, 31st
James 'Dog' Musgrave’s Running Stunt Double * - 1:25:34, 189th
Andrew Mildren - 1:33:07, 765th
Adrian Smith – 1:35:31, 972nd
Allen Pearson – 1:36:31, 1065th
Jason Freney – 1:40:07, 1429th

Full results are online at www.halfmarathon.smh.com.au

* Unfortunately James the Dog broke his Ankle earlier in the new year, so handed his number over to a needy soul – no doubt he was very impressed with the outcome, and is looking towards this approach for future races in order to gain more PB’s!!

Amazing results from the Men's competition at the NSW Club Championships.

Mingara Triathlon Club' s name was in lights as we briefly lead outright in the points tally at the NSW Club Championship. With the placing decided for two of the starting waves,  Mingara had enough points to be the early outright leading club. The nature of the race with almost 900 competitors on a multiple lap course meant that it quickly became almost  impossible for the spectators to tell who was leading or even who was racing whom.  One thing for sure was that  there was plenty of action and colour.

Big problem for Mingara was that of those colours on the race palette was a lot of Orange/Blue, Red/White  and Lime/Blue. These are the colours of Coffs Tri Club, Maitland Tri and Mudgee. When the race results are published we can do a lot of speculation. "What might have happened with a top 10 in this age group"  or "if we just had three or four volunteers registered". What we will know and should be damn pleased about is that of the 51 clubs racing, Mingara came 10th overall and 4th Country Club.

Some of the Individual performances were stunning:
    Mens 65-69:   Bruce Higginbothom - 1st
    Mens 60-64:   Rob Hekking - 2nd
    Mens 50-54:   Brett Stewart - 2nd
    Mens 25-29:   Matt Porta  - 2nd
    Mens 20-24:   Gavin Scott - 2nd
Results of other age groups and placings will be known when the results are published.

In the sport of Triathlon you don't often hear about Team effort. But the Club Championships are different. You can see that by the way the spectators always lift their involvement with support for their Club. Right now I must recognise Al Pearson for his Club Spirit. Al was out on the bike course and spotted team mate Damian Bell who was out of action with a flat tyre.  Sizing up the situation Al determined that Damian had a much better chance of getting points in his age group, so he stepped off and gave Damian his wheel.  For his trouble Al got to walk 5k back to transition (in his cycling shoes!) before he could start the run. We wont know if the plan was fruitful until the full race results are publish - but that was a fantastic gesture by Al.

Mingara's race was clearly a success judging by the spirit back in the tent after the race. We finished off proceedings with food and drinks supplied by Lyn Cuthbertson. Then it was off the the presentation at the Soldiers Point Club where dancing and celebration was on the agenda. The results of that part of the day will probably (hopefully) never get published.

To all participants - be proud. For yourself, your Club and your sponsors.

Matt Porta

Ironman Australia 2008

Brett Stewart

The entire club would like to give big congrats to two of our hardcore members- Matt Porta and Brett Stewart - who recently competed in the Port Macquarie Ironman and not only came second in their respective age groups, but also qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii in October.

Anything is Possible - Matt Porta

Back when I started doing Triathlon’s, I used to look at my brother who had done an Ironman or two at that point and think to myself – you are a crazy man – why would you put yourself through that? To me, Ironman is certainly not something I ever set out to do when I started riding my bike for a “massive” 10km training ride, swimming 500m at a time, and going for a 5km run!!

Back to how this thing started. Slowly, you start training longer, do a few smaller races, see Ironman, and start thinking to yourself – maybe, just maybe I could do one of these – just one.

Fast forward a few years, and it’s amazing what the future brings to you. Standing (actually treading water) on the start line of Ironman Australia 2008 at Port Macquarie – lining up for Ironman number 5, you sometimes overlook all the steps it takes to get to the start line - the early mornings, the killer long rides (thanks Brett), and the leg destroying long runs (thanks Heartbreak Hill). This preparation had been great, since completing Ironman WA in December 2007, I had been able to put in consistent training and was seeing constant improvements along the way. I had put a fair amount of pressure on myself for this one – I was no longer just here to finish, I was here to race, and if I was to achieve my goal of a sub 9h30m finish and a Kona spot, I knew I would need a great day out, better than any of the other 4 Ironman’s to date.

The morning’s rain during getting the bike ready had not dampened my spirit – today’s approach was positive thinking all the way!!! It took ages to funnel through the swim entrance to get into the water, so much so, that by the time I swam out to the start line I think I waited for about 1 minute before the cannon went off!

I didn’t have what you would call a smooth swim – I felt strong, but obviously so did the other 100 people swimming around me, on top of me, and over the top of me. Don’t worry though – I think I was as bad as everyone else – you really have to fight for space on the Port swim course, which is made up of a 300m sprint to the first funnel where everyone groups up, and then two laps of the same course. I felt like I needed to duck for cover at ever turning buoy! Positive thinking though – although getting bashed about upsets my rhythm, hey, there were 1500 other people out there who were probably not that wrapped with everyone being in their swim path! I felt pretty strong for the whole swim, and I was a little surprised and disappointed to come out of the water in 1h 01m. The good news is, the swims just a small part of a long day, and for me, the part I am usually the most glad is over!

In the change tent, the volunteers are amazing. You run in with your bag, sit down, and if you are lucky enough, a kind volunteer empties your bag for you, helps with your helmet, shoes, socks etc and gets you on your way. In the past I usually find I am not one of the lucky one’s that gets help, but I found a new strategy this year, instead of running to the middle of the change tent, run all the way up one end and sure enough, the help was there.

Of course, the earlier morning’s rain had stopped for the swim, but the sky still looked ominous for the bike. Jumping onto the bike I saw Anne cheering and running along as I ran through transition – Al (Mingara Tri Club) was also at the bike start going nuts – in fact he was all day. Al, I am pretty sure that you would have been more shattered from your cheering exploits all day than half the people that finished!

The plan for the bike was to hold steady for the first lap and try and come through the first 60km lap in 1h 40m. This would allow for a little drop off to hopefully bring me in at a 5h10m – 5h15m ride. Well, the first lap didn’t go to plan, but in a good way – I really did control myself, but still managed to ride it in 1h36m. It’s at this point that I was thinking, “damn, this is gonna get ugly on the 3rd lap”. By midway through lap two I had caught the 2nd main age group pack which made the riding psychologically so much easier. For those thinking, hang on a minute, you can’t draft in Triathlon – you are right! These packs still seem to form, and to ride legally (i.e. without drafting) you must be 7 metres back from the cyclist in front. We had 2 motorbikes with Technical Officials with us pretty much for 2 whole laps that made sure everyone was keeping their distance which was actually great!

End of lap two and another 1h 40m lap. This was looking good – I just had to hang tough for the last 60km. By now we had been hit with 2 separate lots of rain out on the course, and there was a bit of wind about. By the 3rd lap the wind had picked up a fair bit more making the ride out to Lake Cathie a tough slog for the last lap. I rode into transition with the race clock at around 6h07m – a 5h05m ride – wow far better than I had ever dreamed. I rode into transition with another “B” racer – that is, a guy in my age group, 25-29. I didn’t know it at the time, but he was the eventual winner in my age group.

Again, I received plenty of help in the change tent. In there, I saw a familiar face in Ingemar (Mingara Tri Club member), who was also having a great day to that point. Out of transition, it feels soooo good to run after that long on the bike. I ran out, and opened a Red Bull to give me a kick – showing my appreciation for the crowd by accidently coating a few innocent bystanders with half the cans contents as it opened J I saw some familiar faces in the trusty central coast cheersquad. Anne yelled out that I was in 7th place in my age group at that point. There were 5 Hawaii spots up for grabs, so I knew I would need a good run to clinch a spot. With this in mind, I ran hard, really hard for about the first 10km, and passed several guys in my age group, and caught the guy who would go on to win our age group. We ran shoulder to shoulder through the first lap of hills for about 3-4km, before he took off down the hills at a pace I knew I could not sustain for another 30km!

I continued to move well, but after 15-20km of running, the euphoria of running after the bike is replaced by the reality of the marathon after an already long day. For me, this was the hardest part of the day, lap 2 of 3 on the run, so close, yet so far from home. By now everything was hurting, and I began getting cramps in my hamstrings through the hills. I had a couple of more salt tablets, and make sure I was getting in more fluid at the aid stations.

Lap 3, and things were improving, both mentally and physically. I had passed another couple of people in my age group, and by my calculations I was in 2nd or 3rd in my age group. It was hard at this point – I knew I was having a great day, but at the same time, I had to concentrate so hard to hold it together on that last lap, as it can all go wrong so quickly. Only when I got out of the hills on the last lap with about 2.5km to go did I think about it all – the finish, how well I was going and more. I had goose bumps for that last 1.5km where the crowd closes in and gave me a few extra cheers realizing I had 2 scrunchies on (meaning I was on my way to the finish line). Running down the finish chute looses none of its emotion or joy, no matter how many times you have done it. I saw the cheersquad and ran over for some high fives – briefly checking behind me to make sure no one was on my tail.

The finish I remember well, but the details are a blur, like what song were they playing, when the announced my name and more. They wrap the finisher’s towel and medal around my neck, and I don’t think my legs believe they can actually stop. I knew I’d had a great day, but it was only when Anne ran up excitedly to tell me I had finished 2nd in my age group and finished 24th overall. I don’t think it all sank it at that point – I just wanted a chair! Total time, 9h 21m 24s.

A huge thanks to everyone I knew out on the course that was cheering me on – don’t underestimate the hugely positive impact you had on my day – all of my friends and family that travelled to cheer me on – Anne’s Parents and brother, Dom, Dave, Pat, Adena, Andrew, Chris, Joel, Emily, Sophie, and Jamie. And of course, a massive thanks to my number 1 fan and support crew member – Anne! To the Mingara club guys – you were everywhere, and always gave me a boost when I needed it, you were awesome!!!!

If you had said to me in 2002 when I completed my first Ironman in 11:57, that in a few years time I would be standing on the Ironman Australia podium and on my way to the Hawaiian Ironman, I would have told you that you were crazy.

To get a spot to Kona, Hawaii is something I never thought possible when I started triathlons, and a podium finish in Ironman, I had never dreamed of, and is something I will never forget, and definitely the highlight of my Triathlon “career” – Hawaii, here we come!!!!!

Matt's Results

Swim: 1:01:31, 209th Overall, 34th Age Group
Bike: 5:05:55, 34th Overall, 1st Age Group
Run: 3:13:57, 23rd Overall, 3rd Age Group

Finish: 9:21:24, 24th Overall, 2nd Age Group

26/03/08 - Pearso's Six Foot Track Triumph

Date commenced training: 1 Jan 2008

Following last year’s debacle – too slow, didn’t respect the hills & going in fatigued I took a different approach this year.

This season having decided to return to sprint dist tris going long all week was no longer an option – and a clever one. An average week’s training consisted of:
1 x long run, 2 of 9-18km, 1 of 7-8km…plus some bike, swim, weights.

The race
I am one of these petty individuals who HATE running in wet shoes & socks….unfortunately with Friday nite’s rain I would probably have to put up with this whether I liked it or not.
Luckily the rain eased on Sat & as my wave took off there were patches of sun.

Starting at front of my pack I took off at a pretty fast pace to try & get into a position whereby I wouldn’t be stuck in traffic on the steps like last year. This worked & in no time we had a good pace down steps then also as we hit the track proper.

Megalong Valley Rd loomed at just after 8kms – this is where traditionally the race really gets going & where a lot of the Terrigal Trotters fans can be found, and in the case of Lori Bowden heard – thanks heaps Lori !!!

Buoyed by the support I was going along at a good pace to the next major point – the Pinnacle (10.2km). Still feeling good & this was first ridge – too easy.  

We then wound via a series of narrow tracks to the Cox’s River. Luckily at was only waist deep for a guy of my height but I still took off the shoes & socks & waded thru t the other side.

Unfortunately I had another 3-4 creek crossings where I opted to take the shoes & socks off. OK it takes a bit of time but the comfort factor is worth it.

Then com the HILLS!  Found I could shuffle up these a lot more than last yr and this meant another 10min saving. By now I was 20mins up on last year. Good.

My main target was to get into the 5h40m area with anything lower a bonus.

I wasn’t going that flash up the hills toward Pluviometer which was the first of 2 long uphill climbs – not many others were either too which was good! Onwards to next range….managed to run a bit more here.
By 23.4km I had developed a cramp in my left adductor which I’d never had before & damn it was annoying. Saw Dr Jon from Trotters who said I should get some salt tabs into me.

I’d always thought these were for wimps.
Then I started cramping in right hammy. Bugger. I held out for a while longer but by the 36km mark had to start taking salt.

Still, I was managing to run quite well although having to stop occasionally to stretch out the cramp but I wasn’t alone here as most other runners seemed to suffer cramping due to the sharp inclines & declines.

With only 12-13km to go I saw the odd familiar face spectating who gave a huge psychological boost – to those – thanks heaps!

By now I felt like I was flying – just felt so good especially when someone said that the road indicating 7.1km to go was just over the hill. Ah yes – I remember this hill.
Walked it & this would be last time I walked ny more hills.
Got to the road (7.1km to go) and more salt tabs, snakes, Coke, finish 2nd Hi-5 bar, water & off we go.

Get 1km & need to take a leak…3rd in the race so I least I was well hydrated!!

More stretching & off we go.

By now I’d guessed I was getting close to a 5h30m finish – a real buzz as this was an outside goal but a time I knew I was capable of if I had a real hard go & put in.

Anyway next stop was at Binda Cabins – last big aid stn & quickly grab some Coke, water & bugger off. By now I’m pushing for a sub 5h30m.
This was good as it would finally give me a respectable time. Could I make it 5h25m? no point wondering – lets go.
I’m flying the downhills – yep – cramping a bit but mentally high as a kite. By now I was under 5h25m finish – yee-ha !!.

Last 2km has the steepest downhill section. Lose your footing & you can end up with a nasty face plant to go with the cramps from such a steep section of track. I throw caution to the wind & sprint this & somehow stay upright.

500m to go – one last stretch so I wouldn’t cramp again & off we go….overtake a few more punters…nr the finish & hear my name called out – hoo-bloody-ray!

5h23m…..cramp at finish…get medal….get rid of timing chip…get my gearbag & have a shower , a beer & start to relax.

Guess I’ll have to come back in 2009 & aim at a sub 5h15m.now !

Next event: Canberra Marathon on 13 April.

Very rough estimates of splits are:
Cox’s River      1h35m (15.5km)
Pluviometer     3h11m (23.4km and a 24min improvement on last year)
Pluvi to finish  2h12m  (45.2km)

For photos of the Amazing Alan doing the run, please click here. You can even buy them online and print them off to put on your fridge or in your wallet! Ewwww!

09/03/08 - The Dog Loops The Lake

I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to everyone for letting the club down during the 2008 Loop The Lake charity bike ride around Lake Macquarie. JD told that he expected me to complete the 85km ride in under 3 hours, but it is my unhappy duty to report that I crossed the line in 3:02:34.

Admittedly, the first two and half minutes of the ride were undertaken at a walking pace due to the congestion leading through Speers Point Park, and I did have to stop once or twice at traffic lights and slow down at Cooranbong due to an injury to a fellow rider who was awaiting the ambulance.

I did fly the flag for Mingara Triathlon Club though, wearing my official club shirt and running other riders wearing Newcastle and Maitland Tri Club shirts off the road at every opportunity.

As a rookie in my first year of doing triathlons, I am amazed that anyone could ride a little more than the distance I did not once but twice, then back this up with a 42km run, AFTER doing a 3.6km swim and do all this in less than three days!

So to JD and the rest of the club who were expecting me to finish the ride in under three hours, I am truly sorry for stopping and admiring the view along the way. I promise to do better next year!