While Melbourne spent the weekend switching between gloomy skies and brief patches of sun, all eyes were well and truly north - Cairns-style. Sunday saw the running of Ironman and Ironman 70.3 Cairns, and as always, the course served up a healthy mix of tropical beauty, tough conditions and epic crowd energy.

It was a massive effort from all the Tri-Alliance athletes (and extended family!) who lined up for the 70.3. The humidity was real, the course was no joke, and our crew showed up and gave it everything.

Let’s talk results...

🏁 James Robertson has been building to this race for months, and his commitment showed. He executed his day with strength and composure, finishing in 6:53:48 and placing 54th in his age group. A huge achievement and we're pumped for what's to come.
💦 Swim – 44:04 | 🚴‍♂️ Bike – 3:10 | 🏃‍♂️ Run – 2:46

🏁 Juliet Cooper had a strong and smart day out on course, navigating the conditions with patience and grit. Her time of 6:49:51 secured her an impressive 10th in her age group.
💦 Swim – 48:31 | 🚴‍♀️ Bike – 3:19 | 🏃‍♀️ Run – 2:31

Special mentions also to Monty, who crossed the line in 6:39:19, and Joey Vessey, finishing with a solid 5:49:35. While they’re currently training under different programs, we’re proud to have them as part of our wider TA family.

And of course, a huge shoutout to the support crew who made the trip to Cairns.  Cheering from the sidelines, creating signs and tees (see pic above), handing out Coke, and keeping the energy high. Your efforts don’t go unnoticed!

Build Week #2 – Laying the Foundation

We’re now into Build Week 2, which means intensity is creeping up, and consistency is the name of the game. These early winter weeks are crucial for laying the groundwork that will set you up for a strong season ahead.
Both Tuesday morning run and Thursday morning Hot Laps are back on the schedule, so dig out the gloves and show up ready to work. Keep the routine strong, and your future race-day self will thank you for it.

What Else Is Happening? Let’s Talk Winter Wins...

We know winter can feel like a grind. The snooze button is louder, the sun rises later, and suddenly, layering becomes a sport of its own. But this is the time to build strength, resilience and community.

Our Sunday trail run at Fairfield is a perfect example. Getting off the asphalt and onto the trails builds your ankle strength, improves your balance, and delivers some sneaky hill work to boost run efficiency. Plus, Coach Greg’s technique tips and the cold water therapy finish are becoming a cult favourite (even if your toes don’t agree).

Not a runner? Then maybe it’s time to bring back an old friend: the swim band. If you can’t get to a pool, dryland swim sessions with your trusty bands are a brilliant way to stay sharp and maintain strength through winter. Bonus points if you can still remember those lockdown band sets... you know the ones.

Training Smart = Training Safely

A quick reminder to look after yourself out there. Winter roads get slippery, visibility drops, and accidents do happen. Please make sure you’ve got your ambulance cover, health insurance, and the right training/riding insurance in place.  AusTriathlon membership at the appropriate level provides training coverage, but it's worth checking if you're adequately protected. You might also want to look into AusCycling if you're doing a lot of riding.  At the end of the day, we want you to train hard, but we also want you to train smart, and safe.

One Last Thing…

Whether you’re fresh back from Cairns or counting the layers before a morning ride, just remember: every session counts. Keep showing up, keep backing yourself, and don’t forget to check in with your training crew.  It’s a long winter, but we’re in it together.

Stay warm, stay strong, and we’ll see you out there.
~ Team TA