Vineman 70.3

I just finished 3^rd in the Ironman 70.3 Vineman tri today up in Sonoma Valley. It was a tough race but I am pleased with the result and I am looking forward to a couple easy weeks before the build up towards the world champs in Las Vegas begins.

Kelly and I spent the last 2 weeks up in Portland, Oregon. The training up there was great and it was good to have a good friend of mine, Chris Boudreaux up there to smack out the miles and the hard sessions with. Looking back I am somewhat surprised with the amount of work we managed to do in the short time between these past 2 races. Aside from a couple appearances at the local bike shop “Athletes Lounge” the big thing to report back with was the amazing food. Both of us expanded our taste buds horizons and had an absolutely amazing time in the NorthWest. I would like to say I managed to execute self-control and not over indulge in the amazing food… but I would be lying.

 

Race day rolled around and while I felt I had not recovered and absorbed the past 2 weeks training as much as I would have liked I managed to get stuck in and take out of the race what I needed to.

The pace was hot in the swim and a small bunch of 7 of us formed going out onto the bike, again for 5miles the pace was on, Tim Don, Luke Bell and Paul Matthews all trying to stretch it out. About a mile later Bevan Doherty made a move that couldn’t have been any more perfect for his race. He attacked and basically road away from the group and held onto that lead to win the race.  I tried a couple times to get the group working to close the gap but it seemed everyone was content with sitting in. Something I still can’t understand as we had a couple minutes on Gambles and Reed, 2 of the stronger runners in the sport and Bevan was riding away basically to take the title without contention. I guess they were happy with finishing outside of the money.

I stuck to my race plan and soon Gambles and Reed caught us, we eventually got off the bike 2.5minutes down on Bevan and set off on a mad chase.  I was 1^st out of transition with Reed hot on my heels, we ran through the 1^st mile in 5minutes (which is quick) but soon settled down to about 5:25 pace. Both of us kept pushing the pace trying to take as much time as we could. At 6 miles we had made up almost 1minute. Bevan showed his class by holding that time difference even for the rest of the race and Gambles was equally as classy, after setting out at his even tempo he was now closing the gap to us. The last 2 miles was a dogfight with Reed and I doing everything we could to hold off the fast approaching Gambles. We did so but I had nothing left in the tank to react to Reeds kick with 200meters to go.  I would be content with 3^rd place today and I am happy with where my form and fitness is leading into the final build up to the Ironman 70.3 world champs in 8 weeks time in Las Vegas.

Back to NZ for a couple weeks of R&R, I am looking forward to sleeping in my new Tempurpedic bed and hanging out with friends. But firstly a quick detour to Queenstown for the filming of a new Kelloggs Nutri-Grain commercial. Watch this space…

BSLT 70.3

This weekend was the Ironman 70.3 Buffalo Springs Lake Triathlon in Lubbock, Texas. It was my third time to Lubbock, which matched my placing of 3^rd in the race.

Kelly and I had a couple great days in Montreal seeing the sights after the Mont Tremblant race, which probably was not the best recovery, but seeing the sights in particular the Notre-Dame Basilica was well worth it. We also celebrated our half-year wedding anniversary, I can’t believe how fast the year is moving.

Then to top off my great recovery our flight out of Montreal was delayed 7 hours, we missed our connection in Houston and had to overnight at a really dodgy hotel, but at 1am in the morning we were not in the mood to go looking for luxury. Finally on Thursday we made it to Lubbock where we stayed with one of our favorite homestays, The Holloways. A big thanks the Shari and Randy for taking such good care of us.

Race day rolled around and while the temperatures were a lot cooler than past years the pro start list was one of the best the race had ever seen, but it was going to be a Tasman showdown with Kiwis and Aussies rounding out the top 6 placing’s.

I woke up race morning with a bit of a crook gut and struggled to get in the zone the whole day, I ended up making a couple very amateur mistakes including my front wheel sliding out under me turning around the 1^st U-turn on the bike.

Josh Amberger and James Seear took out the swim hard and had a minute lead out of the water. Mark Bowstead must have got some inspiration after the opening stage of the Tour de France and was riding like an uber biker pushing the pace. Just as we were about to catch the leaders I took my little spill and struggled to bounce back. I contemplated calling it a day but thought better of it and tried to get the most out of the race given what I had.

Up the front Greg Bennett had started to pull away while Amberger was stuck in a penalty tent, Bowstead was paying a little for all the work at the start of the bike and after having Tim Reed in my sights for the whole race I finally bridged up to him just before rolling into transition.

Reed set a good tempo immediately and closed the gap to Bowstead in 4 miles. I was struggling to hang in there and soon found myself running solo trying to hold onto 3^rd place.

Bennett showed his experience and class by putting together a solid run after a hard bike and taking the victory, Reed chased hard the whole run but struggled to take much time out of Bennett and I cruised home for 3^rd place. 

Next stop Portland to do some training with the guys from bike shop “Athletes Lounge.” I love the training up there, good riding and some of the best trails in the world. We will spend a couple of weeks here, before we head down to Sonoma County for the Vineman 70.3 in 2 weeks time.