TRIATHLON QUEENSLAND
DETERMINATION
DRIVE
The Key to Elle's Success
M
t Isa triathlete Elle Goodall ticked off a goal recently - a
podium place at the Julia Creek Dirt'n'Dust Triathlon,
one of many she is working through on her way towards
her ultimate goal - a Kona qualifying spot.
What makes her triathlon story remarkable is her incredible
weight loss journey, losing 120kg.
Elle knew that a complete lifestyle overhaul was needed
alongside her gastric bypass surgery to effect real and lasting
change in her life. And her triathlon goals, guidance from her local
triathlon club and supportive coaches have helped her get there.
A throw away comment to a friend who was doing a triathlon
training session at the local lake was the door into triathlon for
Elle. Her comment "I wish I could do that" was met with a reply
of "you can, you can do it". Local athlete and Personal Trainer
Vicki Nicholson was confident that if Elle wanted to, she could be
competing in her first triathlon within a month. And she did.
"I took the bull by the horns and I did it,” said Elle.
From that small beginning, Noosa Triathlon was her next goal,
and with her trainer, Vicki, they worked together to achieve it.
Growing up a competitive swimmer, Elle knew the
determination it would take to make the starting line at Noosa.
Having people who believed in her and believing she could do it,
made all the difference.
Crossing the finish line at Noosa Triathlon last year is one of
Elle's highlights so far: "People tell me 'I don't understand how you
can do it', but that feeling when you cross the finish line - that’s
why I do it. Especially from where I have come from and to where I
am now, it is mind blowing.
"I absolutely fell in love with Noosa. My long-term goal for Noosa
is to be a part of the Noosa Legends Club," says Elle.
Each success has fueled Elle's determination and now her focus
shifted to the Cairns Ironman 70.3. And with a change in race
distance, has come a change in coach. Elle now trains using an
online program with Em Quinn from T:Zero Multisport - a Triathlon
Queensland affiliated squad specialising in long course events.
Not working with a coach face to face hasn't been a barrier
for Elle. "I just feel like Em knows where I am at and her training
sessions have been really good to follow as well, and I love the
layout that they do with the training peaks as well. People ask if it
is hard not having your coach here, and I am really dedicated and
really focussed, so I don't need someone there pushing me, just
someone who can answer questions if I need them and telling me
what to do."
Instead, the challenges that Elle faces living so remotely, is
the heat. “There were days when I was going for a run and it was
getting up to around 45 degrees, even hotter, and this was at
night," she says. Sharing the road with road trains with up to five
trailers is also challenging. "But if you are dedicated and willing,
you can definitely work around all of that.”
Elle has been very open in her weight loss journey, documenting
it on social media, and using it to inspire others to get active and
healthy. "A lot of people, a lot of my followers and close friends,
have come to me and said that your posts have encouraged them
to try it and see how they go, but they don't think they have time or
that they can do it. And I look at them and say no, you can do it, it
is your mind. You definitely can, look at me, look at how big I was
when I started, you can definitely do it."
Looking forward, Elle hopes to complete a full Ironman in 2018,
and one day qualify for Kona. For the moment, she is in full training
mode working towards Ironman 70.3 Cairns this June.
"When you cross the finish line, everything makes sense and
every little thing that you have done to get to that point, it’s all
worth it at the end.”
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