Nutri-Grain Ironman Series 2021: Surfers Paradise ironman TJ Hendy says he’s the most prepared ever to take out title

TJ Hendy says he is the most prepared he’s ever been for a title shot at the Nutri-Grain Ironman Series.

• Hero ironwoman finally fully fit for Nutri-Grain series tilt
• Bevilacqua bruised, battered but not beaten: 'I'm ready to go'

INJURY and illness may have curtailed TJ Hendy’s 2020 Nutri-Grain Ironman Series but the 25-year-old son Surfers Paradise SLSC athlete says that grounding has set the scene for what he hopes can be a “fairytale story” at Kingscliff this month.

Preparing for “four months worth of racing” across just two weekends in the compact 2021 Series beginning tomorrow, Hendy admits he is not the fittest he’s ever been heading into an event but he is the most prepared.

“I want to win my first Nutri-Grain series, that’s my goal,” he declared.

“But I won’t lie to myself. I’m not in the best physical condition I’ve ever been in, coming out of injuries and that sort of stuff. But emotionally, mentally and spiritually I feel like I’m in a really good place.”

Hendy, who stamped himself as one to watch with a fifth-place finish in the 2019-20 series, said the delays to this year’s calendar had actually helped him return to form and fitness after overcoming the stress-related back injury that hampered him through 2020.

“To be honest it’s worked in my favour. I was injured a lot last year through COVID and then getting to that first round of the Nutri-Grain series, when it got postponed I ended up getting sick, so I don’t think I would have got the best results,” he said.

TJ Hendy says he is ‘emotionally, mentally and spiritually’ ready for his best Nutri-Grain Ironman series yet.

Though admittedly not in peak physical condition, Hendy said the trials of last year coupled with a renewed emphasis on recovery and racing smarts meant he was ready to make waves at Kingscliff.

He said the restructured format, with the first three rounds held over consecutive days, would suit his preparation.

“It brings me into my strengths a little bit more,” Hendy said.

“I won’t be in the state of being the fittest guy out there – I definitely haven’t worked harder than everyone – but I’ve done some smart work and work that’s been a bit more holistic, taking time to recover and look after my body. There’s a lot of power in that.

“I really feel like this will play into my hands with the strategy and trying to outsmart and out-skill a few people.

“If I wanted to go out there and lead the whole day I would probably come last. That’s not my game plan. I know where I’m at and how I win and that’s by creating magic and doing things smarter than anyone else.”

Surfers Paradise SLSC member Nathan Gray will be a late inclusion for the Kingscliff Nutri-Grain Ironman beginning Friday. Picture Glenn Hampson

Gray’s ‘relaxed weekend’ interrupted by late Nutri-Grain Ironman call-up

NATHAN Gray’s plan for this weekend was two days at work book-ending a Saturday at the beach with his partner and their dog, “just hanging out”.

Instead he will line up on the dunes at Kingscliff tomorrow for the start of the Nutri-Grain ironman series.

Gray, 28, received a call from organisers on Wednesday confirming reigning champion Kendrick Louis had withdrawn from the opening weekend due to a calf injury and that he was the next man up.

Louis’ exit opened the door for Gray to make his fifth series appearance – one he had resigned himself to not happening in 2021.

“I just missed out on requalifying last year through the series so I had to go through the trial process and just missed out on that,” Gray said.

“A couple of minor mistakes and you miss out. So I went through the wildcard process and also just missed out on that. Then you’re just waiting.

“You never think you’re going to be racing, especially two days before when you get a call that says you’re in. I went, ‘Oh god, have I done enough work to jump in?’. But it’s still pretty exciting.”

In the summer of 2018-19 a battle with chronic fatigue syndrome dulled Gray’s rising ironman star. He was sidelined for a large portion of the competitive season but it only made him hungrier to succeed.

Surfers Paradise SLSC member Nathan Gray will be a late inclusion for the Kingscliff Nutri-Grain Ironman beginning Friday. Picture Glenn Hampson

Now gifted with a second chance at this year’s series, he plans to make the most of his opportunity.

“My life revolves around the ocean and it has since a young age,” Gray said.

“Being able to partake in a sport such as ironman is living the dream for me.

“There were definitely lows when I didn’t get into the series (this year) so as soon as I got that phone call I was full of excitement.”

As Surfers Paradise clubmates Ali Day, TJ Hendy, Finn Askew and Courtney Hancock prepared for their ironman campaigns, Gray tailored his training to peaking for later in the calendar year.

“Our program is built on eight-week and six-week blocks; ups and downs and a taper leading into this week – I haven’t really been doing that, I’ve just been training,” he said.

“It’s kinda like, ‘Oh well’, I just have to be ready. I don’t have the option. But it also means I don’t have the chance to get nervous, because I haven’t had that long build-up.

“It will probably be the hardest series (we’ve had) due to the format. Having three rounds over the one weekend; one round normally knocks you about, and then you have a week of relaxing and easing into training to prepare for the next one.

“For me I’m just going out there to enjoy myself. Try to be as smart as I can. With the last-minute call-up I might not be as fit as some of the guys there … but you don’t know what the ocean will throw at you.”