Finding the Balance

⚖️ Winding Down Without Switching Off

After a run of big race weekends, this one felt… quieter. And honestly? That’s not a bad thing. With Christmas just 10 days away, the calendar starts to look a little different. Some are deep in post-race recovery mode, some are leaning into festive catch-ups, and others are gently easing the foot off the pedal as the year winds down.

That’s all part of it. Training isn’t meant to be full noise, all the time. The best athletes (the ones who last) are the ones who understand balance. Enjoy the social stuff. Say yes to the family BBQ. Stay active, but don’t feel like every session needs to be heroic. Movement matters, consistency matters… but so does enjoying life along the way. This is how you come back refreshed, not fried.

🔥 Hell Week Is Almost Here (It Starts Saturday!)

Now… before anyone gets too comfortable, Hell Week kicks off this Saturday, 20 December.

For those new to the madness, Hell Week is our annual end-of-year challenge designed to test consistency, grit and squad spirit. It’s not about being the fastest.  It’s about showing up, backing yourself, and leaning into the challenge alongside your teammates.

What you need to know:

• All sessions run from Elwood Beach

• No other coached sessions take place during Hell Week

• You’ll need all your gear ready to go

• Questions? Ask now.  Not halfway through the week 😅

It’s equal parts tough, fun and deeply satisfying. Full guide here (worth reading!):
https://vic.tri-alliance.com/guide-hell-week/
Set your eyes on the prize and get yourself organised.

🚴 Group Ride Skills – Last Chance Before Hell Week

In the lead-up to Hell Week, Coach Les has been running group riding essentials at Hot Laps.  And there’s one session left this Thursday to get involved.

Hell Week 2025 is just around the corner, and with it comes group riding. To help our new TA family members (and anyone wanting extra practice) get comfortable riding in a group, I’ll be running a group riding essentials session at Hot Laps (5:45am, Albert Park).
The focus is safety, positioning, and learning how to ride together — not speed. We’ll meet out the front of MSAC (Albert Park side), finish around 7am, and grab a coffee afterwards. All welcome. If we’re nice, we might even convince Gaz to join us…

If group riding makes you nervous, this is exactly where you should be. Low pressure, high value.

🗓️ This Week’s Timetable Notes

A few important adjustments as we head into Hell Week:

• ❌ No Monday night swim (15 Dec) — MSAC Swim Championships

• ✅ Tuesday morning run is ON — APL, 5:45am with Ollie

• 🔁 Thursday morning — Hot Laps or Les’ ride skills session

• 🔥 Saturday 20 Dec — Hell Week officially begins

Plan ahead and check your alarms.

🎅 Festive Training Vibes

Think of this week as the calm before the chaos. Soon it'll be early mornings, summer sun, salty skin, sandy feet and that strange feeling where training almost feels like a holiday… until it doesn’t.

Pro tip:
✔️ Hydrate
✔️ Sleep
✔️ Fuel properly
✔️ Don’t “save yourself” for Christmas — stay moving

Santa respects consistency.

✨ Wrapping It Up

As always, our door (and inbox) is open if you need support, clarity, or help navigating your training or membership. We value open, respectful communication, especially at this busy time of year.  Direct conversations beat second-hand noise every time.

This time of year is about balance.  Enjoying the moment, staying connected to your training, and setting yourself up to finish strong. Hell Week is right around the corner, summer racing is on the horizon, and the work you put in now still counts.

Get organised. Ask questions early. Show up with intent.

We’ll see you at Elwood.

💛 Team TA