January 2020- an overdue update!

Photo by: Kim Pedersen for True Protein

Hey guys

it’s certainly been awhile since I’ve done one of these monthly blog updates but what the heck. With a big 2020 ahead filled with plenty of racing & travel prospects I thought why not get back into some writing!

I enjoy these blogs as a way for myself to reflect on the month that’s been & a fun little way to keep family & friends in the loop, especially since I took the leap & moved to Melbourne away from home- aka Gods country on the Northern Beaches!! *gasp*

Which is probably a good place to start...

I’m very much a home body which might sound strange given the amount of travel we do but I’m someone who thrives off being settled in routine, “at home” & happy in that environment. I’ve experienced that first hand over the past few years, but one thing I’ve learnt over this past month is that this doesn’t necessarily need to mean I’m at my home on the Northern Beaches in Sydney. I’m content in knowing that will forever be my home to go back to, especially since I recently purchased property about 2 minutes down the road from my family home in Collaroy. Surrounded by family, my amazing group of friends, my beloved 4 legged horse/ child, one crazy dog & some of the worlds best beaches! (I’m still searching for a decent wave in the Bay... Brighton is yet to serve up anything other than wind chop!)

But I’ve quickly found this same sense of comfort, routine & happy vibes in my new training environment & home with the Elotik Triathlon squad, under coach Danielle Stefano down here in Melbourne!

I first met with the group as a squad in December 2019 down in Lorne, tucked away on the Great Ocean road, for a 2 week pre season camp to finish off the year & instantly felt welcomed. I didn’t realise how much I had missed that daily training environment where you’re surrounded by “teammates” pushing each other to get the best out of yourselves in each session, under the guidance & leadership of a friendly new coach. The group brings fun & humour to what can be long days & weeks of work in the triathlon office. Whilst all out there to work bloody hard & get the quality work done well!

After Lorne I headed home for Christmas & then New Years up at the highly Instagram-ed, feed flooding, Seal Rocks Lighthouse with family before packing up & making the drive down to Melbourne to kick start this exciting year!

2020 has massive stakes, with the next Olympic Games & selection for these games FAST approaching, to be held in Tokyo in July, and of course another year of action packed World Triathlon Series, World Cup & Superleague Triathlon Championship Series Racing, all around the globe!!

My goal for 2020 is to make, perform & execute at the 2020 Olympic Games, a bold goal that so many in sport dream of making, but I would be lying if I told you my intentions were otherwise. So I’m down here in Melbourne, doing what I love, in what I think is the best place for my right now!

I’m Swimming, riding & running... lots! I’m working hard, pushing myself outside my comfort zone, being challenged, learning every day, & growing into a better athlete ready to take on the racing ahead!!

I’m excited, my motto has always been Dare to Dream, and this ones Big!

So follow along, I’ll be keeping you all updated through race reports & monthly blog updates like this one, sharing honest insight into how things are going.

First up- I’m off to Abu Dhabi at the start of March to kick off the first World Triathlon Series Race for 2020 on March 6th, before heading straight home for some back to back racing! Those pesky frequent flyer status credits won’t be an issue this year!

Thanks for the read & for coming along for the journey!

It takes a Team, legends!

Em.