November 2019 - Kass Cartia
Brisbane, QLD “The people make the entire journey so much fun! I race for ME but there is nothing like racing with your friends, pushing each other and giving each other the best and biggest pieces of encouragement… on the good days and the crappy ones!” Our November Fast Five feature is Brisbane-based athlete Kass Cartia, from the stables of Coach Em. A triathlete for five years, Kass has been with T:Zero for the past two, competing in numerous sprint and OD triathlons as well as seven 70.3 events. In June, Kass competed in her first World Championships in Slovakia. Kass manages her training around being a business owner, mum of two and wife of a FIFO worker. To mix up her triathlon sessions she also enjoys F45 training three days a week. Her favourite tri leg is the bike - for “the power, the freedom … and it gives you time to eat!”. A self-confessed “extremely uncoordinated” person, Kass has found triathlon suits her to a T because she doesn’t have to throw or catch balls! Her best advice for athletes lacking motivation? “In the mornings when your alarm goes off and you feel like you can’t be bothered I always think the mornings I have some ‘control’ whereas in the afternoon anything can happen that can completely throw your plans out the window (especially with kids). Get it done. You never regret a session EVER but you always regret NOT doing it!”. Kass plans to finish off 2019 with some shorter and faster racing before resetting to focus on some big goals for 2020! Go get ‘em, Kass! Why and how did you get into triathlon/endurance/multisport? After my second child was born, I discovered running with my local buds and gym pals. After a year or two of gym and running, I was asked to be a swimmer on a team for Noosa one year then the cyclist the next. The bug crept in. Next time I knew it I was braving the small Pinky Tris then onto local Bribie First Timer tris. Blink and we are a few years down the track and A LOT of lessons learnt, friends made and HUGE memories banked! Proudest triathlon moment? In Slovakia World Championships, the water was incredibly cold. 500m into the swim, I had the biggest panic attack I have ever endured. Before I knew it, I was pulled from the water, into a skiff and back onto shore. The officials weren’t sure they were going to let me keep racing. I was so determined that they couldn’t let me end my race here. With the good news that I could keep racing, the trade off was to finish with a DNF. I was gutted but I would be even more so if they didn’t let me finish. It was a mentally tough day at the office. Every push on the bike and every stride on the run was a mental battle and filled with disappointment. But I look back and thank my lucky stars I kept pushing and got it done! I’m a stronger athlete today for it. What motivates or inspires you to train/race/participate? It’s pretty cliche but … I hope it inspires my children. Shows them that being active everyday (no matter the capacity) is part of every day living and should be a priority. Not only for physical health but HUGELY for mental health too. Then, FOR ME! I’m motivated to see how strong I can be. I’m inspired to meet new people and hear their amazing stories too. Any funny or embarrassing race memories or stories you’d like to share? There are a few … my first ever Noosa OD, I had fudge flavoured gels taped to my bar on my roadie. I ripped it off and the brown THICK gel ran all down my legs… let’s just say, not only was it sticky, it also looked like something else … But to really chuck the icing on the cake, I then had a bee fly into my mouth and bite my lip. I got off my bike into T2, swollen lip and brown gel everywhere - it was a sight that could not be unseen! Since becoming a T:Zero athlete, what is the one new belief, behaviour, habit formed or skill honed that has most improved your athletic (or everyday) performance? One of the greatest things I have learnt (from Rich T) is “all that matters is what’s in your one square metre” and he is bang on! The other is from my coach Em - Patience, Persistence, Determination. And one more for good measure (and a big head) … Why do you love being part of the T:Zero Multisport team? T:Zero! What’s not to love? The expertise is outstanding. You know you are in good hands, each and every session! |
October 2019 - Kyle Shipton
Sunshine Coast, QLD “Anything is possible if you’re willing to put in the work.” Our October Fast Five feature athlete is Kyle Shipton. Based on the Sunshine Coast, Kyle has been training with Coach Lisa for the past year and a half, tackling several Olympic distance triathlons during this time. A self-confessed “nerd for TT bikes and aero kit”, Kyle’s favourite leg is the bike which makes the 70.3 distance appealing to him. His sight is currently set on his debut Ironman 70.3 - Western Sydney in late November and potentially taking on Tweed Enduro as an individual competitor next year. Kyle counts his proudest triathlon moment to date as finishing strong at the Moreton Bay triathlon earlier this year and coming 2nd in his age group following a challenging lead up with his run training. When he’s not loathing Coach Lisa’s kicking drills at swim squad, Kyle enjoys playing drums and recording with his band in his spare time. Recalling a previous training and racing “failure” that has inevitably set him up for later success, Kyle shares that becoming severely dehydrated a couple of times in both training and racing situations has forced him to take fuelling and hydration more seriously. This an important lesson for so many athletes – particularly as the weather starts to heat up! Why and how did you get into triathlon/endurance/multisport? I went and watched some mates compete at Noosa Tri in 2017 and loved seeing people from all walks of life out there giving it a go. From there, I entered for the following year and gave myself 12 months to train and give it a go. What’s your favourite thing about triathlon/endurance/multisport? The process of working towards my own goals, whether long term or day to day, achieving what you didn’t think you were capable of is the best feeling. What motivates or inspires you to train/race/participate? Constantly seeking to find my current athletic potential and figuring out what I can do to become faster. And it allows me to eat copious amounts of Nutella. Any funny or embarrassing race memories or stories you’d like to share? Going for a flying mount in T1 and somehow completely missing my saddle and almost hitting the concrete… not the most ideal way of starting the bike leg! Do you have a race day mantra? Or something you think about to get you through tough periods during the race or calm your pre-race nerves? The last few races for me have been all about realising that it’s going to hurt, and when it does start to hurt, don’t fight it. Embrace it! And one more for good measure (and a big head) … Why do you love being part of the T:Zero Multisport team? Being inspired by and learning from all the other T:Zero athletes and coaches. |
September 2019 - Meg Radcliffe
Sunshine Coast, QLD “Embrace the suck. We all train for it. Races don’t always go perfectly unfortunately but with the right mindset you can do anything”. Our September Fast Five feature athlete is Meg Radcliffe, who after just 18 months with Coach Scotty, booked her ticket to the Ironman World Championships in Kona by winning her age-group on debut at Ironman Australia earlier this year. Meg’s a Student Paramedic who has completed a number of triathlons since first giving the sport a crack just 2.5 years ago. Multiple Mooloolaba and Noosa Triathlons, 70.3’s and one very impressive Ironman debut later, she is officially hooked - on the sport and on the long stuff in particular - IM distance is clearly her jam! The bike is Meg’s “happy place” which is certainly good news given how many hours she would’ve been spending on it over the last few months preparing for Kona which is now just around the corner! Her motivation and inspiration comes from the thought that she can always improve some part of herself and of course the post-race ice-cream/donut/burger party she eats afterwards. In just over two weeks Meg, we’ll join you in spirit to celebrate! Why and how did you get into triathlon/endurance/multisport? Volunteering at IM Cairns in 2016 and decided I was going to do it the next year. There’s something inspiring about watching people push the limits. Favourite race? Why? Ironman Australia, Port Macquarie. My first full IM so how can you not love that race. Best experience and I got to share it with my favourite people on and off the course. Proud that my race went to plan and I made Coach SF proud :-D What’s your favourite thing about triathlon/endurance/multisport? The amount of coffee I get to drink and the naps I can take because I ‘deserve’ them. And the people you get to share the experiences with. Since becoming a T:Zero athlete, what is the one new belief, behaviour, habit formed or skill honed that has most improved your athletic (or everyday) performance? To truly believe the process. It’s got me where I am and that’s a pretty awesome place! Any funny or embarrassing race/event memories or stories you’d like to share? Falling off my bike at the dismount line of Noosa Tri. Not my finest moment to be honest. And one more for good measure (and a big head) … Why do you love being part of the T:Zero Multisport team? Because my coach (Scotty Farrell) is a legend. To be surrounded by people who get ‘you’ is pretty cool. And the fact that we all drink copious amounts of coffee. |
August 2019 - Kelly McManus
Sydney, New South Wales “It’s a privilege to have the health, time and resources to be able to participate in these kinds of events. That alone is enough motivation for me”. Our August Fast Five feature athlete is Sydney-based Kelly McManus, who has been training with Coach Steve for the past 18 months. Kelly’s been a runner (and multiple marathon finisher) for the last 18 years, but her foray into triathlon began only three years ago. Since her triathlon debut in 2016, she’s completed multiple sprint and Olympic distance triathlons, four 70.3 races, Huskisson Long Course and Ironman Cairns in 2018. Not surprisingly, Kelly’s favourite leg is the run because it’s, as she puts it, “so uncomplicated and I’m always on such a high because it means I survived the bike”. Currently in training for Western Sydney 70.3 later this year, she balances her endurance training with physio exercises, some strength work and the occasional spot of yoga. Although not the biggest fan of waking up early, since becoming a T:Zero athlete Kelly says she’s certainly learned you can force yourself to become a morning person! And the best piece of advice she’s got for someone starting out in the sport? Be consistent. Kelly’s a History teacher who attends drawing classes and studies law part-time for interest. She also writes a wonderful blog - Kelly Runs and Eats - where she chronicles her adventures in running and triathlon! Why and how did you get into triathlon/endurance/multisport? I was a runner who became friends with some triathletes via social media! Within a few months I decided to participate in Western Sydney 70.3 in 2015 in a relay (as the swimmer and runner) so I could see what it was all about before buying a bike. I loved it. It took me about 6 months to buy a bike but 3 months later I did my first tri and a couple of months after that my first 70.3. It escalated quickly! Favourite race? Why? Running - City2Surf. It’s an iconic Sydney race. I grew up watching the runners pass my house every year and I remember being particularly inspired by Steve Moneghetti (who still holds the men’s record.) Nothing beats slogging up Heartbreak Hill and then being rewarded with the run down into Bondi! (Fun fact: Kelly just completed her 13th C2S this year!). Triathlon – Cairns. Ironman was one of the best days of my life and I loved the 70.3 the year before. An ocean swim for the swim leg is my favourite thing, the bike course is stunning, and the run was quite lovely too. Swimming – the Bondi to Watson’s Bay, a stunning 10k ocean swim around the heads and into Sydney Harbour. Favourite distance? Why? Ironman because I love that an endurance event can take you on the most incredible mental and physical journey in just a single day. 70.3 is a close second as it’s the distance I’ve participated in the most and it’s long enough to feel like an extremely solid and satisfying day out. Have you ever had an apparent training or race day “failure” that has set you up for later success? I DNF-ed the Melbourne marathon in 2004 because I simply wasn’t ready. It was upsetting and disappointing but it taught me the importance of preparation. Do you have any tips for athletes struggling to find some motivation or who may have temporarily lost focus?
And one more for good measure (and a big head) … Why do you love being part of the T:Zero Multisport team? The support. I was so grateful for the warmth and enthusiasm of the T:Zero team during Ironman Cairns. |
May 2017 - Jen Nutchey
Fresh off her inspiring performance at Tweed Enduro, we sit down with Jen Nutchey - a T:Zero Multisport athlete whose consistency over the past 12 months has paid off significantly. 1) Tell us a bit about yourself I'm Jen... a South Australian at heart who has been in Brisbane with my hubby Dave for the last 12 years (married for 15 years). I'm an Intensive Care Unit Nurse by day (or night) who loves the sport of triathlon and enjoys photography in my remaining (little) spare time. |
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