Airport Adventures

So putting all jokes aside when travelling overseas ensure all travel documents and visas are accurate well before departing for your flight.
For me unfortunately I learnt a new very expensive lesson. Today I have boarded both a flight to Guangzon China and the same flight home to Australia.
Without going into the finer details, I was briefly in China then swiftly moved and by swiftly I mean 4 hours later to a bench awaiting my fate. Needless to say I left China that night. Unable to race the much anticipated Sanshui Premium Asian Cup. Now that I am in the air and possibly annoying every other passenger with bright ipad lights I'd like to stress to all travellers don't make the same mistake I did, it really was not fun. Sorry mum! I hope you got the email I sent you via the nicest lady you'll ever meet standing behind you at Gate 109. On a better note, I think I will use this wasted opportunity to now enter the USM events Gatorade series event held this weekend in Robina, that is if mum let's me see light of day again.

China, you eat my shoes, cracked my bike, mysteriously returned said shoes and then denied me entry, it hasn't been smooth sailing for us, maybe we were never meant to be, but we will always have the memories! Oh also, good luck to travel buddies Sam and Sarah thanks for sticking around.

The countdown is well and truly on till the first Junior series event, with DAT holding its strongest female team yet. I can honestly say this will be a great weekend with all our athletes on fire and looking at those spots on the 2013 Youth Olympic festival team. Right now that is all going on with me apart from the old 'sleep eat train repeat' schedule.


There are a few things I would like to add before signing out, for starters thanks to Michael from Nutrend Australia for your on going support and keeping me firing on all cylinders www.nutrendsupplements.com.au/.
Chris Adams, thank you for the belief and support you have showed in me and DAT. Dan, Katie and the girls, I know at some times things can be a bit dicey (take the last 2 days for example)? but we keep chasing those rainbows. Mum and Dad I am an expensive child, sorry.

 

Thanks for reading,

HJ

Controlling the uncontrollable

Over the last three month I feel as if I've been on the longest roller coast of emotions. Being named in the AUS Junior World squad was such a high and achievement for me and to be able to share this experience with my great friend and training partner Emily Bevan was just the icing on the cake. Together Emily, my coach Dan and myself have worked through all the bumps on our path through the selection process. I can say it was not easy, never the less in true DAT spirit we 'got the job done'. I am now more then overjoyed for Emily as she continues her prep towards the Auckland World Championship. She is one tough chick with endless talent and determination, I have no doubts that she will tear it up at Worlds. Best of luck and congratulations to all the athletes named in the team. This selection process has made me a more determined and stronger athlete. Ive learnt what to expect, how to deal with it and then how to overcome those uncontrollable situations with a positive outlook.

 

Earlier this week Emily, Luke, Dan and myself arrived home at some ungodly hour from the ITU Chendgu Premium Asian Cup. China was hot, humid and tough but nothing we couldn't handle. Right from the get-go China faced up with a few minor obstacles the first, arriving at the right hotel in one piece. Upon arrival and right throughout our stay the hospitality that we received was amazing! Always an eager volunteer to help with any problems. For me this made what was to be a very sticky situation somewhat easier, after discovering my tubular was shot and in desperate need of a new tire. So Dan, Emily, yellow shirt and myself jumped into a car with our sights set of a bike shop. Our first you could hardly classify as a bike store and once we showed them my Zipp the look of confusing that crossed their faces was not missed as they had never seen a wheel like that before in their lives. So back in the taxi continuing our hunt, eventually finding store. The shop assistant understood what we were after, went out back and brought us his personal wheel took of the tire and gave us his. We now had a new tire but finding glue was even harder. Driving around for another hour we had little luck. I would like to send out a HUGE thank you to Dan Wilson for his assistance in my little wheel fiasco. He most definitely saved the day!

 

On the day of the race the sun, smog and humidity came out to place with us. It also seemed to get hotter throughout the day in lead up to the female start. This race being my first pontoon start I was a little worried going in, 'what if my goggles come off, what if I get pumped from the dive, what if I get swam over the top off and does get up, What if I miss the start and left standing there'. These were all thoughts running around my head. But to my surprise I had a clean dive and by the first 10 strokes I could see that I was in front and by the first buoy comfortably in the front pack. I soon found some feet and sat in not want to waste to much energy fighting with the other girls. Coming into T1 with 8 other girls I could tell we had a slight lead over the rest of the field. I was keen to keep this gap but after a few laps I could tell the chase pack was going to catch, so I did what I needed to but nothing more and leave the race down to the run. Being caught just as we entered T2 a group of about 14 girls left transition. The pace was on right from the start with Yuliya Yelistrova out in front and not looking back eventually winning with over a minute to second place. Having the sun heat and smog having a huge effect on me all I could do was to finish the race. Crossing in 15th with Emily finishing in 10th place. Also well done to Lukey who had a stellar race coming in 15th.

 

What's next? Moreton Bay Triathlon this weekend then a solid 3 months of training. Getting ready for Junior series kicking off in December... London 2013.

 

 

HG*

PERFORMANCE THROUGH PERSISTENCE

If anyone has had the pleasure to either be coached by or had a chat with my coach Dan Atkins they will gather pretty quickly that he is a firm believer in persistence. A motto that Dan swears by and one that the DAT crew hear often is 'performance through persistence'. Over the last month or two I have really come to understand what this motto is all about. Persistence is key, with not only training but recovery too.

As every athlete goes through a block of training they see their fair share of tough days. I have just gone through one of the toughest weeks ever. Not only physically but also mentally. Fridays stingers are a swim/bike session. Having a less then desirable swim session I find myself asking the same questions "what the heck is going on?" followed by "I cant do this, its too hard". Reluctantly I pulled on my cycling gear and decide its time for a change of attitude, also thanks to some motivating words from Dan. We head off to the DAT secret location where legs are burnt and souls are searched better wise known for its Friday 'STINGER', it is similar to the hill on the ITU JRN Devonport course, for those that have had the pleasure to ride over it. Once completing a number of reps to the satisfaction of Dan we head to the crit for 17 fast laps. Turning thoughts from 'I cant do' to 'I can' was the battle of the day. Being able to overcome a mental battle and turn the session from bad to good is always a gratifying feeling. Knowing that come race day I can recall on the tough days and being persistent with my training I am able to achieve the goals I set myself. A very fitting quote that someone sent me earlier this week has stuck with me and I think it is suited to how I am feeling at the moment. Hopefully you read it, see its meaning and take something from it.
"He who has invested the most is the last to surrender"

A photo of myself and training partner Emily post ride

Whilst on the topic of 'tough' I have found someone who is absolutely amazing, the things this man has achieved and is striving for is breathtaking. I find him and his story truly inspiring. His name Oscar Pistorius. Take a look at this bio I'm sure your too agree with me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3M9cdo-eYI&feature=fvwrel

Till next time!

Just back yourself
HG

Osaka!

Hi Everyone,

Well what a week! I have just returned from my very first international triathlon event not to mention my first time overseas and my first olympic distance race. To sum up, all three of these milestones in one word, AMAZING. Throwing myself into the deep end and into a brand new world of triathlon.

On Wednesday the 4^th July Dan, Luke, Emily and myself embarked on our journey first having a brief 10hr layover in Singapore before reaching our destination Japan the following day. This being such a new experience I was full of excitement and eager to jump into the culture of Japan. Food, of course being on our minds we ventured over to the nearby Trade center, where various restaurants and outlets can be found. After searching for what seemed to be hours we settled for Subway as our first meal in Japan, promising ourselves that we will dine at a traditional Japanese restaurant that night. After getting rid of the kinks in our legs with a visit to the treadmill and swimming pool we once again headed to the Trade center taking refuge in what seemed to be a traditional Japanese restaurant with very happy waiters upon our arrival. Reading a menu proved to be a challenge let alone ordering, so the tastiest picture on the menu would suffice. Little did we know, we were consuming traditional Korean food rather Japanese. Japan-1, Aussie tourists-0

Jumping forward a couple of day we find ourselves the morning pre-race. Nerves were most definitely at its highest. Having never completed this distance before what laid ahead of me was completely unknown and somewhat scary. Any who there was job at hand and as Lukey would say “get the job done”. With the race being push back another 1 hr and 20mins, it would seem friends and family back home were left in the dark having not heard of this progression and for one mum becoming very anxious with little news.  Before I knew it I was wading in the water with the dreaded ITU heartbeat music in the background 2..1.. We’re off. Arms, legs, whitewash everywhere! It took me majority of the first lap to find somewhat clear water and get into a rhythm. Coming out in a comfortable position within the front pack it was now time to get the legs into gear with a total of 14 climbs and 12 180® turns on a 7 lap course, hilly and technical would be an understatement. Off the bike and into transition frantically trying to wedge my back wheel between to padded polls and remembering to place all utensils in the box before exiting T2. As triathlon.org would tell you Osaka was to be a flat run course but I can tell you differently.  Three by 3.3k loops with a decent out and a slow dirty rise back towards transition it was going to be twice as hard as previously thought. Japan being a very humid place, temperature of 29® suddenly felt like 35® adding to the level of difficulty out on a hot 10km run. 42mins later I crossed line remarkable speechless (sorry to those around me post-race if I accidently freak out with my lack of communication). Quick visit to the massage table to help re-gather my thoughts and ease the cramping I jumped of the table feeling proud of what I had just achieved. 

Being my first olympic it held other challenges that didn’t just include crossing that line, such as nutrition. More importantly what was going to get me through the next 10km run! I would just like to send a huge thank you to Nutrend for providing me with great tools, knowledge and nutrition to get the best out of me. Next stop  Chengdu, China where I intend to better myself with a fresh new perspective on olympic distance racing. 

Once all post-race routines had been completed it was time to inform all family and friends back home of the days efforts. Sorry for the delay but once in range of free wi-fi I tried to let everyone know how we all got on. That would have had to be one of the hardest things when it comes to travel. Finding the right time to thank everyone back home. Thank you to everyone that sent their wishes and congrats it was truly appreciated. It means a great deal to know you have such a supportive group at home who back you 100% So, for that Thank you!

JUST BACK YOURSELF

HJ

Hi everyone, Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. My name is Holly Jane Grice and I hope your reading this because someone has either recommended it to you or you know who I am. For all of you that don't know me, I am a triathlete looking to go all the way to the Olympics one day. I love what I do, I love the people in my life who support me unquestionable and I love to smile all the way through the ups and downs of life.

I would love to share this blog with you and tell the tales from my hectic day-to-day life. I will do my best to keep this blog fun, fresh, exciting and hopefully keep you eager for more. This is all a bit new to me so if you have any ideas or topics for me please chuck them into the 'comment' section and I will have a crack at it.

I would also like to share this blog to increase my profile in triathlon and give the readers little tips and ideas I have learnt along the way!!! I will be updating my blog every 3 to 4 weeks. I will also be posting each new blog on my Facebook and on my twitter account @hollygrice, just to make it easier for you to read.

I now leave you with something that is heard on a far too regular basis around the DAT training crew,
JUST BACK YOURSELF.

Till next time

HJ