Wednesday 21 September 2016

New blog


Back from family holiday in Africa and thought now after win in sunny coast world champs, it's a good time to start a new blog for races and to keep up to date with my training/thoughts! In the meantime here is the race report for 70.3 worlds again!

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Had been about 5 months since I had last raced so felt pretty eager and keen to get on with the race and see where my fitness and body had got to after such a long period with no racing and just training.  Race day came round and everything was feeling pretty good, more anxious to get going than nervous. Swim went well, started out in the centre of the start line and got towards the front wthin the first 200m. Found some feet and felt like we were swimming pretty solidly for the remainder of the swim. Caught a little wave into shore so was stoked on that and came out in 24min in I think 5th place in my age group.
Transition was super long for age group athletes (spent like 8 mins total within transition), never the less had a speedy swim bike transition and was out on the road first in the age group. There was one other guy who rode passed me but I decided to just do my own thing and race to my power numbers. Just before the turn around at about 35km I was caught by a few of the  other 18-24 age group boys and we then all rode back towards the 2 circuit loops. Once we hit the hills I was feeling pretty strong and decided to take the pace up and went out on my own. I was getting my nutrition right all day so was feeling really positive and having riden this part of the course so much with my coach Bevan Mckinnom as well as Braden Currie, I was in a familiar place. End of the ride came and was really happy with how it had gone down. Had put a gap on the guys I was riding with so csme into T2 in 2nd.
T2 went smooth and legs felt fresh. Plan was to just run 3.45ks but there was a tailwind heading out and was able to run a faster, free speed! Kept up good average pace of about 3.30ks for first 12km and then dropped back to 3.40s for the rest. Came home strong and took the win 4hr 6min with a 4 min lead on 2nd.

Great, fun and rewarding day all round! Onto Xterra world Champs next October 23rd.

Thanks again for the support from family and friends!