Noosa 2010

They say it’s big. It does live up to its fame. The beautiful town of Noosa in QLD gets invaded by triathletes from all over Australia on the Noosa Olympic triathlon weekend.

It was my second Olympic distance triathlon, and I had stuffed up my feet with blisters in the week before while trying to break into my new shoes. As if that was not enough of a worry, the officials announced it is a non wetsuit swim!

The swim: All my age groupers were marked with age group code “G” on their calves and were swimming in pink caps. It appeared I had a whole heap of clones. 1500m swim took me 35min. I missed the swim exit, and reached the start line where other triathletes were lining up for their wave start. This is the first time I ever missed the swim exit, which implies it must not have been visible enough while swimming.

The bike: The 40k time trial on the bike was fast and fun. I felt great on the bike. Since I came out quite at the back of my age group, I passed heaps of my clones on the bike. The Noosa climb that people talk about was nothing but a false flat. Saw a guy busted for drafting, and another poor bugger had a flat few km from the finish.

The run: Off the bike, I got into form in the first km. Around four km mark, I tripped over a road reflector, but got up and running before the spectators could finish saying “Oh my god!” Around 5km mark, I was feeling my blisters burning. With about 4km to go, I started hammering it at 95%. By 2km to go, I had the pedal to the metal. I crossed the finish line in 2h38, and lay on the ground. The officials told me I can’t lay there. I said “meh...” I lay on the floor for 10 sec, and got my heart rate down. I knew I had given it everything.

The weekend: Did a training ride on the day before with Clownboy (Edward). He thought I only race in budgy smugglers. Afterwards I had a photo taken with him wearing a wolf mask, which he didn’t notice as I am already so hairy. Clownboy is the funniest guy ever. While random people would introduce themselves to me, he would introduce himself to the random people. We went to see Ronaldo at the big hotel. He said that the only person who shouldn't come and introduce himself to others is AP. And guess who came and introduced himself at the expo? AP! He seems to be a nicer in person than on the transitions forum.

After the race, we cracked heaps of jokes over the dinner with Gaz, Downsey and their mates from Harvey Bay tri club. Had some cold ones at the surf club and then headed to the night club. There on the crowded dance floor, a chic lifted me in the air and spun around like a top knocking off a few people who were around. I had an amazing time at Noosa. I got to meet a lot of triathletes including Tyno, iFoz, AP, Snowsill, and a lot of familiar faces. Thank you Noosa for throwing such a great weekend!

Tempte-tation Fixie Century 2010 (Dulwich Hill BC)

100miles or 160km from Bundanoon to Tempe velodrome on a fixed gear bike was one of the hardest rides I have ever done.

The day before I rode with Tim from Marrickville to Bundanoon via Hume Hwy, 130km. Due to headwind, false flat, and no fixie experience, I struggled to keep up with Tim, which totally frustrated him. We had to be rescued 12km short of Bundanoon by Tim’s dad, to make it in time for the dinner. Apparently, we were only 5km behind Lindsay, and the three Michaels who started from Campbelltown well ahead of us.

The next morning, we had around 8:30am start? Riding fixie in a bunch was scary as well as fun. I kept up with the fast bunch on the flats, but struggled at grinding big gear on the uphills. The highlight was the 10km quite steep descend at Macquarie pass. On a fixie, not just had to spin those legs bloody fast on descends, but also had to press the brake levers so hard that it hurt on my palms. No matter how much they hurt, the only option was to suck it up. There was a whole queue of vehicles behind me, which meant I couldn’t slow down. I couldn’t release the brake levers as that would make me go downhill at uncontrollable speed. I found it quite dangerous, but a thrill for sure.

We had a few laps around a velodrome on our way, just before Wollongong. We had lunch at Wollongong where I took the bugs out of my hair. The climb at the Stainwell Tops on a fixie would make even the toughest sweat. I slowly grinded the big gear up that 2-3km long steep climb all the way to Helensburg. By Helensburg, I was out of water and getting severely dehydrated. The little stop at fish & chips shop at waterfall was heaven. I rode with the bunch to Tempe velodrome, where everyone did their finishing lap, and I did an extra run lap, just to call it a brick session.

Thanks to Simon for organising the ride and the accommodation. Ian for the funny spoke cards, Lindsay for lending me the Peugeot fixie, and all the riders for riding with me. It has been a unique and rewarding experience.

TRIshave Gi's Clip4Cure

Dani's positive attitude even at the worst possible times is truly inspirational. I remember her put a brave face and cheer us all day long at Ironman Australia. Whatever she's going through is absolutely unfair. To honour her, I wish to give something I really love, i.e., my unshorn hair. Thanks to the individuals and corporates who have come forward to support this cause. I am including the following introduction letter on this blog. Get excited and involved!

Dear Sir/ Madam
Gi Singh and myself are Ironman triathletes organising a charity event at Busselton to raise funds for the Childhood Cancer Association. Our dear friend and Ironman triathlete, Dani Taylor, has been battling cancer over the past year. Her positive attitude through the toughest times has been an inspiration to all those who know her. As a tribute to Dani, Gi has volunteered to shave off his beard and hair and in the process raise much needed funds for the Childhood Cancer Association, the charity that Dani selected for us to support.

Gi Singh a.k.a. “Ironman Gi” is a well known character within the triathlon community. He races Ironman triathlons in hot pink budgie smugglers, and his long hair and beard ensures he stands out. He has never shaved before and to lose all his hair is a tremendous sacrifice, but is one he is happy to make in Dani’s honor.

We request your financial support to this worthwhile fund raising event. In return we can offer you support for your company in the way of promotion at the event ‘Trishave Gi’s Clip4Cure’, and will display your company’s logo on this blog. To make a donation, please visit our fundraising page.

This event, ‘Trishave Gi’s Clip4Cure’, will take place on Monday the 6^th of December, the day after Ironman Bussleton at 3:30pm on the foreshore adjacent to the Bussleton Jetty. This event is sure to generate enormous interest within the triathlon community and media, which would provide your company with increased ability to market your product to the target audience.

We are setting a target of $25,000 to be raised for the Childhood Cancer Association, and would appreciate any help that you are able to offer us in reaching this goal.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and consider our request.

We look forward to your reply,

Yours Sincerely,

Lisa Harding.

Yahoo Sports News
Event page on Facebook

Thanks to our naming right sponsors TRIshave for their generous support of $5000 towards this great cause. TRIshave actively supports triathlons around Australia. Checkout their fantastic product range that meets the shaving needs of all triathletes.


Compressport has offered to auction a special pair of compression calf sleeves autographed by The World Ironman Champion, the one and only Chrissie Wellington. The framed white pair of compression socks signed by the Chrisse is a very unique display item for your wall. The proceeds from this auction will go towards the Childhood Cancer Association.





TriTravel has come forward with a generous $500 support, along with the auction of an entry package for Capricorn Half Ironman! The proceeds from this auction will go towards the Childhood Cancer Association.




X-Tri Australia has donated an entry slot to Yeppoon 70.3, 2011. This entry slot together with three (3) nights accommodation at the Capricorn International Resort will be auctioned off as a package and the proceeds will go towards Childhood Cancer Association.



Mark Forward (left in the following photo) has made the highest individual donation of $500 to the cause. Here's a Q & A with the man we know as iFoz.TRIshave Gi's Clip4Cure: You are the highest individual sponsor for Trishave Gi's Clip4Cure. What motivated you to support the cause?
iFoz: GUILT! and Noosa euphoria. I spent a king's ransom in the Noosa expo tent on things I didn't need but just wanted. After chatting with Giiiiiii and Clownboy in front of the Breast Cancer booth at the Noosa Expo, the seed was sown. I figured if I can spoil myself, how about I share the coin with somebody who needs it... even if I don't get to meet or know them.

TRIshave Gi's Clip4Cure: Have you personally known anyone who has battled cancer? If yes, then how it has affected you as a person?
iFoz: Yes, who doesn't know somebody who is/has/or about to battle cancer nowadays? My kids lost their Grandpa to Leukemia. It makes me appreciate my health and how lucky I am to be able to live the triathlon lifestyle... while I can.

TRIshave Gi's Clip4Cure: Why do you do triathlons. How did you get into it?
iFoz: Why?... I'm hooked on the lifestyle. How? I was invited to Noosa Tri by my mate doing his first Noosa in 2004. I got to Noosa smelt the atmosphere and went WOW! I've got to get into this. Noosa is still my favorite event on the calendar. I get more excited than a kid at Christmas about Noosa Tri, even more than my first Ironman at Port Mac last March.

TRIshave Gi's Clip4Cure: While the scientists have been doing research to predict what Gi would look like after shaving, their best bet till now is Emma Snowsill. Do you agree with the scientists?
iFoz: For Emma's sake I sure hope they're wrong!

TRIshave Gi's Clip4Cure: Any other comments you wish to make about Trishave Gi's Clip4Cure?
iFoz: This a is a great cause and Giiiiiiiiii deserves all the support you can muster. C'mon, there's no time like the present to donate.
I'm sorry I cannot be in Busselton to witness the great event. Make sure it's filmed.

TRIshave Gi's Clip4Cure: Thank you Mark. You are very kind.