2024 Results..

Apr:
11th Male Pro IRONMAN 70.3 Cebu
11th Male Pro Challenge Taiwan

Jun:
21st Male Pro IRONMAN Cairns - IM Pro Series

Jul:
1st Overall Cairns Marathon Festival 10km
1st Overall Cairns Marathon Festival 5km

Aug:
25th Multisport Sprint Duathlon World Championships
2nd Relay Team Townsville Triathlon (1st fastest bike leg)

Season ended short due to being hit by a car whilst training on the bike =(

2023 Results..

Oct:
10th Place Male Pro IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi - Asia-Pacific Championships, Malaysia

Sept:
17km Goldsborough Trail Race, Cairns - broke my own course record, unofficially after starting 21min late!

Aug:
1st Place Overall - Sprint Duathlon National Championships, Townsville (auto qualification Elite Team Australia 2024 World Champs team)

Jul:
3rd Overall Cairns Marathon

Jun:
13th Male Pro IRONMAN Cairns - Asia-Pacific Championships 

IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi Race Report
Sat 7th Oct 2023, Malaysia

Top 10 Pro Finish at IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi - Asia-Pacific Championships!

That was one of the toughest races I’ve ever done.. I think we say that after every race but this time its actually true =D 

28c Ocean Swim, Hilly 90km Bike with 750m elevation gain in a series of very punchy climbs spread through the course, and a 21km run in the heat, humidity and some headwinds.. not a course or conditions for fast times for anyone.. and simply a race of border lining being on the limit and survival!

I have mixed emotions about my race.. I’m really frustrated with myself for a series of things I’m letting myself down in day to day, especially a number of 1%’rs and some health related issues which again caused sickness coming into race week. I felt a bit flat during the race, just missing that power and drive, but there’s no excuses at this level. Just got to be better.

Same applies during the race.. I pride myself on racing well and I just seemed to have concentration issues.. I swam off course twice losing the feet I was on halfway round and swimming the rest solo, I then missed a bit of nutrition that was in my T1 bag so was down about 30g carbs for the bike, then on 3 occasions I lost momentum and time at 3 turn sections where IRONMAN and 70.3 went in two different directions, where lost time and just made things harder for myself.

Apart from all of that, I was super proud of my ability to swim back up to some toes after my first error, hold those feet around half way, then proud of my ability to push hard for 50km especially after losing time from errors, to get back up to the guy ahead on the bike so I could ride together with him.. and we took turns for the last 40km.

The run was so tough, legs were hammered from the hills and the heat was intense and you were just hanging out for the next aid station to pour ice cold water over you.

I quietly was eyeing off a top 10 finish pre race and to walk away with that result, my first pro pay cheque, and the ability to overcome all the challenges leading in along with the race errors on the day, the course, the conditions.. in my first 70.3 as a Pro.. it’s confidence building. I’ve definitely stepped up to a new level and walk away with a little bit of reward for all the work and sacrifice, but also i feel excitement knowing there’s a lot still to improve on.. next up IMWA

A huge thank you to my team.. partner Christina, Coach Berks, My Parents, Nan, IGNITE crew and my incredible team of sponsors & partners.

My deepest condolences go out to the athlete who sadly passed away. Thoughts are with the family.

~ Nick

5 Ways I Pick Myself Up
~ by Nick Carling

Feeling down? Stuck replaying negative thoughts and emotions in your head all day every day?

It’s shit right?

It’s a much better feeling when we are up and about hey?.. but sometimes it feels like a mountain far too steep and high to even bother trying. Been there countless times!

So here’s 5 things I do.. which maybe you can try:

1. EYES UP

- put the phone down, stop scrolling and being drawn in by algorithms designed to keep you tuned in.. stop comparing.. stop looking for magic answers.. AND LOOK UP AND OUT!

SEE YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY in real life..
SEE NATURE in real life..
Start reducing that screen time as it’s not helping!

2. EAT SHIT, FEEL SHIT.. EAT GOOD, FEEL GOOD

- no explanation needed on this one, pretty damn simple!
Start by eating 4 healthy things to 1 naughty thing

3. BACKSTREET BOYS SAID IT..”MOVE YOUR BOOODDYYYYY.. YEEEEAAAAAHH!!”

- get the blood flowing.. if it’s not a typical training workout, even just a walk.. something! Anything! Put the Backstreet Boys on at home and pretend you are a band member with a dance routine!

Try this: 1min workout today, 1-2min tomorrow, 3min the next day.. etc to you build back your momentum! Make the workout or exercises different each day.. write up a 7 day plan for this and try tick it all off! You’ll be surprised how well this works and it’ll give you a great sense of achievement, which will help lift your mood and spirit!

4. YOU’RE NOT ALONE! STOP TYNA BE TOUGH!

- nothing in this world was developed and achieved by one person. Helping each other is what humans do so well… and we absolutely need it! If you want to turn things around, you’ve got to take a step forward in that direction.. and if you’ve been struggling for a while, or keep relapsing.. best to speak to professionals!

I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for to help of counsellors and psychologists. Make the call!

5. GET THE OL SKOOL PEN & PAPER OUT AND WRITE A LIST

- doing positive things that you know can help you feel positive, get you moving and get your momentum on the right track, no matter how small they may be.. is a brilliant, easy way to turn the tide! It’s my special tool for every time I fall in the hole and need a ladder to climb back out!

write a list of 5 things that you can do each day, that are positive for your mind, body and soul! (Eg. Read a book, exercise, eat 2 pieces of fruit, 5min mindful meditation etc) come up with 5 of your own!