This sprint distance
race was held on Sunday 25 October 2009 and was the support event to the ITU
World Long Course Triathlon Championships.
Race morning was
really windy which I was a little worried about with a disc on the back of my
bike. I got set up in transition quickly and went for a bit of a warm up jog.
The swim was 750m in
the Swan River. We started up near the Bell Tower and headed towards Herrison
Island. In my wave start was males 20-35, so there were a few bodies around. I
was up the front for the start and when the gun went got off to a great start.
We were fighting against the wind chop and current which made for some slow
times. The field was really spread out on different lines going into the first
turning can. I exited the water in 5th place in 12.31, down on the
leaders by about 1.30.
A quick transition and
I was flying out to the UWA turn around. We had a strong tail wind going down
and I was making up ground on the leaders. At the turn around I was able to see
how much time I needed to make up. Going back along mounts bay road was a hard
grind into the head wind. I worked really hard and caught a few guys. On to the
Freeway heading towards Canning Highway I was passed by one competitor and then
I passed the guy who was initially leading. I was sitting in second place
comftable. The ride on the freeway was great fun and fast considering the
strong winds. It was hard work but with the disc on the back once it was going
it was easy to keep up to speed. Coming back over the Narrows Bridge was the
only hairy bit as the wind was really gusty. I was blown around a bit but once
over the it was smooth sailing back to transition. I finished the bike in 31.52
and second in my category.
I left transition fast, maybe a little to fast. I was gaining on the guy
who was leading. The run was flat and pretty windy. I worked hard on the run
and eventually passed by my training partner at about half way putting me into
third. I managed to pull back into second place in the last km and we were
running stride for stride. We were both surging trying to break away from each
other. With about 100m to go I kicked again and managed to break away. I was 50
seconds down on the winner.
I finished in second place in 1.05.25 and was really happy with the
result. At the presentations we were presented out medallions by the Hawaii
Ironman World Champion Craig Alexander which was a pretty awesome way to finish
a good day.
My next race is the Anaconda Adventure Race in Augusta which is on
Sunday 8 November.
