About Me:Name: Rachael Jade Paxton
D.O.B: 21/6/1984 Height: 167cm Residence: Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia Club: Atlas Multisport Triathlon Club Triathlon coach: -------- Swimming coach: Colin Robson Education: B.Phty, University of Queensland, St Lucia Family: Susan & Paul (mother & father) & Mark (brother) Favourite Food: Ice-cream, nutella Favourite Drink: Coffee Other interests: Rugby union, tennis, music, traveling, wine, friends |
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How did i get here.....???
Born in the western Queensland town of Roma & raised on a large cattle station 50km from town, I grew up riding horses and motorbikes. As a kid I had a big love of sports, from running to netball to skipping (yes! I was part of a demonstration team for the heart foundation!), however activity was quite limited for many years after I ruptured my ACL as a 9year old (doing gymnastics) and having to wait until i was 15 to have it reconstructed. By this time I was at boarding school in Toowoomba & was focused on my senior studies which allowed me to move into a degree in Physiotherapy straight out of school. Throughout my time at Emmanuel College, St Lucia I continued to dabble in many a sports; netball, basketball, rowing, softball and after moving off campus continued to visit the gym to keep fit and balance my academic studies. After finishing my degree I relocated to the Sunshine Coast to work in a hospital.... I had no idea this move would change my life so dramatically!
At the end of 2006 I had discovered RPM (spin bike classes) and one of the instructors had competed in some Ironman events. She said to me; 'you've got potential to ride a real bike & I've seen you run on a treadmill. You should try triathlon, you don't need to know how to swim!!!!'. Famous last words.....A month later (January 2007) I had bought my first alloy road bike and lined up for my first sprint race triathlon. 2 months later I did my first Olympic distance triathlon and it all went from there! Within 12 months I was top of my age group at Mooloolaba triathlon, a few months later 2nd in my age group at 2008 World Championships in Vancouver, Canada. Another 9months later winning 2009 Perth Triathlon/ Australian Age- group Championships and later that year coming 2nd in my age group and overall at the 2009 World Championships at the Gold Coast, Australia. Some would say a quick rise to the top. October 2009 saw my professional international debut at the Putrajaya 70.3 in Malaysia, surprising myself and everyone else when I became the 1st elite female to cross the finish line. 2010 to 2011 saw me traveling to multiple overseas competitions with some impressive results, however over late 2011 and 2012 my performance on and off the race course began to decline for no apparent reason. In June 2013 I was unexpectedly diagnosed with malignant papillary carcinoma (thyroid cancer). After surgeries and radio-active iodine treatment I returned to racing in early 2014 whilst still in the middle of treatment. I am still awaiting the all clear but my doctors tell me to 'go for my life' in regards to racing and training so I'm making the most of every day, every training session and every second on the race course.
The journey continues.......STAY TUNED
Rachie xo
At the end of 2006 I had discovered RPM (spin bike classes) and one of the instructors had competed in some Ironman events. She said to me; 'you've got potential to ride a real bike & I've seen you run on a treadmill. You should try triathlon, you don't need to know how to swim!!!!'. Famous last words.....A month later (January 2007) I had bought my first alloy road bike and lined up for my first sprint race triathlon. 2 months later I did my first Olympic distance triathlon and it all went from there! Within 12 months I was top of my age group at Mooloolaba triathlon, a few months later 2nd in my age group at 2008 World Championships in Vancouver, Canada. Another 9months later winning 2009 Perth Triathlon/ Australian Age- group Championships and later that year coming 2nd in my age group and overall at the 2009 World Championships at the Gold Coast, Australia. Some would say a quick rise to the top. October 2009 saw my professional international debut at the Putrajaya 70.3 in Malaysia, surprising myself and everyone else when I became the 1st elite female to cross the finish line. 2010 to 2011 saw me traveling to multiple overseas competitions with some impressive results, however over late 2011 and 2012 my performance on and off the race course began to decline for no apparent reason. In June 2013 I was unexpectedly diagnosed with malignant papillary carcinoma (thyroid cancer). After surgeries and radio-active iodine treatment I returned to racing in early 2014 whilst still in the middle of treatment. I am still awaiting the all clear but my doctors tell me to 'go for my life' in regards to racing and training so I'm making the most of every day, every training session and every second on the race course.
The journey continues.......STAY TUNED
Rachie xo