Video with Waikato times

Ironman 70.3 New Zealand

As most people will already know and saw, Taupo turned on some wild weather for the Saturday so the ironman was cancelled and we got to race over the Ironman 70.3 distance on Sunday. Not exactly what I wanted or probably about 1500 other athletes, but I know there where some pros who where smiling as the shorter distance obviously suits some athletes more than others.

So the pros where in the water at 7.45 with the age group men off at 7.55 and the age group women at 8am. I had a super start which ended up being the best part of my day and ended up sitting on Tim Reed hip for the first 500m but then the arms started to fatigue, got quite a few mouthfuls of water and then next thing I know I am going backwards which pretty much summed up my day.
Onto the bike and there was not much power going down, and the turn around confirmed what I was feeling as the lead group having a big gap. It was quite disappointing on the return leg to see some of the pro women having some very easy rides to T2, there really needs to be a 30min gap between the pro women and age groupers to have a fair race.
I got the run done and quite enjoyed seeing Tim taking it to the other guys in the race, unfortunately he got a little too excited at the start of the run.

I am sure some of you are wondering what has happened to my form over the Kiwi summer, well I had been doing some experimenting on myself and it obviously didn't work and the legs ended up getting very tired! the body feels pretty similar to when I got back from Switzerland in 2010. Once I got over Swiss I came back even stronger so some rest time for me now and then I will be back!
Or as Cerutty said, I will be back, and better than ever! 

Some highlights from my athletes racing was Erin getting her first Kona spot and on the podium, and Dave going under 5hrs for the first time. Graham also had a Kona qualifier and some PBs

We had a great stay at the Baywater, check out some photos of the weather from our deck

Also some photos of my first surf in quite a while

The Calm before the storm

Storm arrives

Guys surfing on lake Taupo

Ruapuke, a little fast for me

Ruapuke rocks

Ironman NZ countdown

Just about 1 week until Ironman New Zealand, it definitely doesn't seem like it was a year ago I was on the start line. The last two years I have ended up number 4 on the day, so hopefully something different this year with a smaller number :)
The field is looking like a good one, but with the way the rules are we will see who turns up on race day, I think Brown scares off a lot of guys :) and with Ironman Melbourne being in a few weeks with a lot more points there are a few scenarios for the guys chasing Hawaii points.

My race plan is pretty simple, have a good swim, ride well, then run strong and get to the finish line with nothing left in the tank. I am going to be using the new Saucony Fastwitch, see the photo below. I have been using them for the last couple of weeks and have found them really comfortable, lightweight and with a good amount of flexibilty.

Tracy and I are also looking forward to staying again at the Baywater Motor Inn. We where super lucky last year when our orginal accomodation double booked us and they took us in, check out my blog from last year with the extras they go to for their guests

Challenge Wanaka - update

So I am back from the my annual trip to Challenge Wanaka, Its two for two in the last two years so I still have unfinished business :)

Some big positives with my athletes preforming well, Tamsyn having a great race taking 50min off last years time and a 7th overall place after a her first podium at the national half ironman championships two weeks previously. And Candice getting another 4th but getting closer to the podium being run down in the last 2k.

The orgainsers again put on a great race, its definetly a race I would recommend to anyone considering a long distance race. Its a little smaller than a race like Roth but has its own special atmosphere.

I am back on the horse now, and will line up at the New Plymouth half ironman in 2 weeks time, then Ironman New Zealand on the 4th March.

Some photos below of the trip

Update, challenge Wanaka

Well we are in to the new year and Challenge Wanaka is just over a week away. I have been ticking off the training over Christmas and New Years. I had a little hit out at the Contact race in Whangamata, it was old school triathlon, surf and lots of chop, a testing bike course with rain like IMNZ and then a 3 lap run with half of it on the beach, which was actually pretty firm due to all the rain. The body got a decent workout and some nice training. I had to ride there and back as our car cant fit Ava, pram + baby stuff + Tracy and me, so some extra complusory training :)

Summer has arrived in Cambridge today so time for some sun which will be good, as central Otago can heat up. I have Scotty from Team TBB staying at the moment, so its been good to catch up and do some training together.

The New Zealand Half Ironman Championships where on the weekend and I had a couple of athletes racing and they all had great races, so it was happy coach on the weekend. The highlights being Tamysn getting 3rd Overall and Erin coming in 2nd in her age group and the fastest womens run split of the day in 1hr26min. Erin took over 25mins off her time from last year so just shows what can be done with some consistent work. Plenty more to come from both of them.

Another update from Wanaka soon, cant wait to get down there.

Update

Well, the time flies at this stage of the year. So the past couple of weeks I tried to have a little hit out at the Taupo Half Ironman, have done some christmas shopping, watched Ava grow, and done some good training.

Taupo Half was a tough day at the office and I decided to call it a day after the bike, the body had some big bricks on its back and couldnt get them off. So a easier week after and I am starting to get some better sensations in the legs and not pedalling squares :)

So what would I like for Christmas? Well next year I am pleased to confirm that I am going to be back with Team Timex and we are changing bike sponsors, so one of the below is going to be just like christmas :)

Update, Taupo Half Ironman

Time has been flying since baby Ava has arrived. A little less sleep at night, some training sessions, coaching and the days seem to disappear very fast :)

This weekend will be my first race in a while, the Taupo Half Ironman, I have had a win, 2nd, 3rd, crash DNF in the past couple of years in Taupo. Its a great course, and a perfect chance to practise on the IMNZ course if you are stepping up to the IM distance or to get a feel of what IM will feel like.

A very good field is due on the start line on Saturday morning, Cam Brown, Callum Millward, Mark Bowstead, Jamie Whyte, Brodie Madgwick, Kerin Doe and a few others so it should be a cracker of a race.

Training wise, I am in the middle of a big build up for Challenge Wanaka ,I have been thinking about this race ever since making some stupid mistakes last year. Check out my old blog if you want the details.

Hopefully Taupo is not like it was in 2009 (see photo below), must thank the volunteers for battling in the below conditions