August has been a month of rebuilding. After coming back from my crash earlier in the season, the focus has been on regaining fitness and finding consistency in training. The running legs still don’t feel as sharp as they used to, but each week has been a step forward. It’s been about patience, putting in the work, and slowly getting race-ready again.

The highlight of the month was the Eton Eliminator Super Series – my first proper race back and a real test against juniors and seniors. It was a brutal but valuable weekend that showed where I’m at, where I need to improve, and gave me plenty of experience to carry into the rest of the season.

Race Format – Eton Eliminator Super Series

The Eliminator is a unique format with multiple rounds, each mixing up the order of swim, bike, and run. Athletes are gradually eliminated each round until the strongest are left standing. It’s fast, tactical, and demanding – transitions, positioning, and repeated efforts under fatigue are key.

Heats

A strong swim put me into the second bike pack, but the pace was relentless and my legs couldn’t quite hold on. By the run I was empty, finishing 13th. That result secured me a place in the B final – a solid starting point against tough competition.

B Final – Round 1

This round began with the run, and starting a few rows back made it tough to stay in touch. A quick transition and strong swim helped me back into the race, and I joined a solid bike pack that worked well together, even closing down the group ahead. I finished 11th, which I thought would keep me in the B final, but after some reshuffling I was placed first into the C final.

C Final – Round 2

Another run start saw me just off the pace again, and I missed the main bike pack. That meant riding most of the leg solo, which was draining. The swim gave me the chance to claw a few places back, but it wasn’t quite enough, and I dropped into the D final.

D Final – Round 3

By this point the legs were heavy, but I managed a strong swim and pushed hard on the bike to join the front group. I stayed with them into transition, but once again the run exposed where I’m not yet back to full strength. I finished 9th in the D final and 4th in Youth B overall.

Reflections

The Eliminator was a tough but important experience. I learned a lot about racing in bigger, faster fields – from transitions and positioning to handling repeated rounds. Even if the results don’t yet reflect where I want to be, it was a big step in the right direction after time out. Training is now consistent again, and while the run legs still need sharpening, I know they’ll come back with more work.

Looking Ahead

Next up is the Grand Final, and the aim is to take everything I’ve learned this month and put it into practice. The goal is to end the season on a high, with a stronger, more complete performance that shows the progress I’ve made.