I really was (and still am) a happy boy

Winning at this level is certainly not easy, and considering the quality of guys who were treading water besides me at 6.59am yesterday, I knew that achieving my target of breaking the tape at the finish chute would require some seriously graft – Just as it should do.

My preparation leading into Sunday was spot on – I was ready to race and excited to be back at what I consider as tough a race as there is out there (St Croix is verging on tougher, but only because of the heat/humidity mix). The weather gods had been kind and we were treated to almost ideal UK summer conditions – if only the temperature had read a tad more than the 4.5C that registering as we parked up!

What with both Philip and Stephen returning (who beat me last year) plus former Hawaii Ironman Winner Faris Al Sultan alongside a crew of other very capable guys, it was going to be fast from the gun. I settled into a good enough early tempo during the swim, but I didn’t have quite enough gas to hold onto the swim exit as the leader – and in my haste to reach terra firma I slipped on the exit matting …with the bloody knee to prove it!

running in the lead with Mr Moto as companion

I knew that I was in good bike form after my race in Kent last month, however that didn’t give me any help when Phil rode his bike past me as if I were standing still. The lad can ride his bike, that is for sure. I will admit to feeling a little despondant oblique sorry for myself for a fair portion of the first loop, but by a careful process of elimination I reasoned with the little chararcter sitting on my shoulder that all was not so bad – 1. nobody had caught me, and there were some good good bike riders behind and 2. if Phil was riding that hard, then surely he must pay the price for it in the latter stages of the race? It is after all a triathlon, and as I have learned the hard way – it is he who slows down the least fast who crosses the finish line first.

Once I reached T2 I was told the damage – just under 4minutes…. but as soon as I got into my stride I was confident it would be good run day - I should clarify that there have been many a bad one in the past for me, so I can detect the better ones easily!! I was able to catch and pass for the lead within the first of the 3 laps, and from there on in I was able to relax and enjoy the day ….

That is my 4th Ironman 70.3 victory and I am really proud to have achieved that. Having coach Gordo down to watch me race at this level for the first time really added to the whole w/e aswell – thanks for all the help chief. Unfortunately my wingman wasn’t able to be on hand to run around manically for me this year … Blair was racing himself on Saturday at the Highland Cross (but don’t mention the fact that he was helicopter’d out of the glen … just a heads up!!) But to couter that and cap off a great ‘Shire Team’ weekend, Ali placed 5th overall and collected a slot to race in Clearwater later in the year… mostly since she has heard so much about Carolyn’s famed homestay cooking I reckon!

(Thankyou to Laura for the photo’s)

I’m gearing up for my major goal race

of the first half of the racing season this w/e.

It’s been an up and down first few months of 2009 racing for me, but I am finally feeling confident about my prospects of being able to race to my potential on Sunday morning. I’m very motivated and generally excited about heading back to Wimbleball Lake in Exmoor to try and defend my title and win for the third successive year. – It’s a big task but one I am keen to try and make happen!

It couldn't have been much closer last year - Stephen pushed me hard to the line

It is a small field, as has been the case each of the previous years I have raced the event. However, it is a small but strong field, and I am expecting a tough race without question. The race has been described as one of the toughest, if not the toughest race on the 70.3 circuit. I can certainly confirm it is up there as one of the toughest I have raced and I think that is what I like the most about it. – A normal swim (don’t be fooled!) A very tough bike. Maybe even a tougher run. – Hills, off road trails and yet more grassy hills all add up to make it a great test.

It is just a tremendously good effort in simply getting round, and I think that is one of the main reasons such a considerable numbers of folk don’t even end up racking their bikes on the Saturday – the reality suddenly dawns that the entry they submitted (and paid for!) way back in the winter time hasn’t been backed up with sufficient training volume. – Hopefully the majority of people who entered will be bursting with confidence come Sunday this year!

I am looking forward to catching up with Julie (Dibs) for the first time this year … we usually spend a week hanging out in April for the St Anthony’s Triathlon in Florida, however she went a cracked a rib around then… and also to see how my occasional San Diegan/Scottish training partner from my Californian trip is going to do. – It is Lesley Paterson’s first attempt at the 70.s distance after making a great start to the US Xterra series so far this year.

I have to make a note about the men’s race too. The big name that stands out on the men’s list is Björn Andersson. I have said it before – and after regular racing against him over the past 2 years can difinatively confirm – he is a monster on the bike. I raced him twice earlier this year in the States, and his riding didn’t seen to have quite the same impact as it has in the past, but I am not going to let that fool me. I believe he will be on the start line ready to create bike havoc, and being a very competent swimmer, he will be creating it very early on. My aim is to go with whatever he throws down! He has won a major Half Ironman distance event each of the past two season through crushing bike splits and hanging on during the run, so I can see where his intentions lie! – The lighter wheels have been added and the cassette has been changed.

There are a number of other guys on the start list ready to give it a good shot as well, and I am more than aware of all of them… I always do my research!

It’s going to be a busy w/e of racing all over the place to – what with there being not just one but three other Ironman 70.3 events being held all over the US, plus the world famous Alcatraz triathlon in addition to the racing that other online team members are up to in France and the US.