The Aussie Age Grouper Podcast – GPC Race Radio for Melbourne 70.3

Melbourne 70.3: A Near-Perfect Day

Let me set the scene. The weather was absolutely perfect. Clear skies, a smooth-as-glass swim in Port Phillip Bay (for Melbourne, anyway), and cool temperatures in the morning. There was barely a breath of wind, and while it did warm up a bit on the run, overall, it was as close to perfect as you could ask for. I’d rate it a solid 9.9 out of 10.

I had the privilege of sitting down with some of the athletes after their race, with a special focus on those doing their very first 70.3. Plus, I even managed to catch up with a few of the Ballarat crew. There are some fantastic tips and stories that could be helpful if you’re considering a triathlon—or if you’re already in the game and looking to improve. So, without further ado, let’s get into it!

Meet the Athletes: Stories from the Finish Line

Paddy’s 70.3 Debut: A Stunning First Time

Let’s start with Paddy. This was his first ever triathlon—and he jumped straight into a 70.3! What an effort. His goal was simple: to finish. We had talked beforehand about aiming for a time around 5:30, and Patty had been dealing with an injury earlier on, so we were adjusting goals as we went. But guess what? He absolutely smashed it, coming through with a time of 5:21—an incredible debut!

Patty talked about how tough the run was (it always is!), but he pushed through and had a great finish. His swim went better than expected, despite going off-course a bit at one point (we’ve all been there). He was also happy with his bike leg, and when it came to the run, we were able to let him “off the leash” in the final kilometres. I couldn’t be prouder of his effort.

Patty’s Takeaway: If you’re new to triathlon, just show up and put in the work. You might surprise yourself!

Liv’s 70.3 Journey: Overcoming Fears and Loving the Swim

Next up, we’ve got Liv, who was celebrating her birthday the same day as the race! Liv had a few nerves heading into the 70.3, especially about the swim. But as she says, she ended up loving it! The swim was calm, with perfect conditions for a first-timer. Liv powered through the bike and run, even though she faced some challenges with her feet during the run (which is common when you’re on your feet for hours). Her nutrition plan worked well, and she finished strong, coming in at just over 6:28.

Liv’s most surprising moment? She enjoyed the swim—definitely not what she expected! She also ran through some tough patches but found that the right nutrition kept her going.

Liv’s Takeaway: Don’t stress about the things you can’t control (like the swim!). Focus on your training, and trust that you’ve prepared for the race.

Cathy’s Bumpy Ride: Tyre Trouble and Persistence

Cathy’s race day didn’t exactly start off smooth. She had some early tyre trouble in transition—her valve blew off while pumping up her tires, and she couldn’t find it in the dark. Thanks to some quick thinking (and a bit of help from me), we managed to get her sorted, but it was a stressful start. Things didn’t improve much on the bike when she got a flat at 21 kilometers and had to scramble to fix it. But here’s the thing: Cathy didn’t quit. After a brief moment of panic, she figured out how to patch it and continued on.

Despite all that, she had a solid run, and even though the day was a tough one, Cathy powered through. Her determination really shone through on race day. She may not have known her times, but she finished with a huge smile and lots of great stories to tell!

Cathy’s Takeaway: Triathlon isn’t just about speed—it’s about problem-solving and perseverance. Never give up, even when things go wrong!

Jeff’s First 70.3: Leaking Goggles and a New Bike Fit

Jeff had a bit of a rocky start with his swim—his goggles leaked, and he was feeling a little nauseous due to the salty water. But after getting through the swim, he felt much better on the bike, though he admitted he didn’t quite stick to his power goals. He had a new bike fit just before the race, and while the setup felt more aerodynamic, there were still some tweaks to be made for future races.

Jeff’s run was tough, but he found a second wind in the last 5 kilometers and was able to push through. His goal was to break 5:30 for his first 70.3, and he hit it with a time of 5:28. A huge achievement for his first Ironman 70.3!

Jeff’s Takeaway: Stick to your plan, but also be ready to adjust if things don’t go perfectly. And remember, you’re capable of more than you think!

Molly’s Perfect 70.3: A Smooth and Steady Race

Molly, president of the Ballarat Triathlon Club, came into this race with a clear goal: a sub-5:30 finish. She got it with a solid 5:30, even though the race was a bit more crowded than she expected. The weather was amazing, and the swim was calm, making for near-perfect conditions. Molly was testing out some new gear—new wheels, a new helmet—and it looks like she’s now set up for even faster times in the future.

On the run, she felt great, and despite the heat, she kept a steady pace. After the race, she mentioned that she’ll be going for the Cairns Ironman in June. If you’re looking for inspiration, Molly’s your girl.

Molly’s Takeaway: Gear is important, but your mindset and pacing are key. And sometimes, just hitting that race-day goal is all you need to feel accomplished!

Wrapping Up

Big thanks to all the athletes who allowed me to shove a microphone in their face post-race and share their experiences. It’s always great to hear from people who are just as passionate about triathlon and multi-sport as I am. Whether it’s your first race or you’re a seasoned pro, we all have something to learn from each other.

If you’re new to triathlon or thinking about taking the plunge, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. You can find more information about our squad and training programs on our website (GPC Squad), and follow us on our socials for more tips, stories, and motivation (all the links below).

Thanks for tuning into this special edition of the Aussie Age Grouper.  Feel free to subscribe, share with your friends, and get in touch if you’ve got your own story to share. We love hearing from fellow athletes who are living the dream—one training session (and one race) at a time.

Until next time, stay strong, race hard, and keep chasing those goals!

 

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Podcast: The Aussie Age Grouper