I flew in and out of Singapore on the weekend for the 70.3, an annual event that has been won by some of the sickest names in the sport these past years (Kris Gemmell, Craig Alexander x2, Simon Thompson). While most big names were absent this year because of IM Melbourne (although Ronnie Schildnecht *first sub8 IM in North America* was set to race but withdrew), I couldn't write anyone off because of my acute misunderstanding of how to actually race a 70.3, let alone the fact that I'm not really training for one.
Ubiquitous in Singapore each year though is enough heat and humidity to make you sweat your own spinal fluid & on occasion a little bone marrow. I've raced and won an ITU Conintental Cup here before, one of the most metally testing races I've yet to do. Natually I was a little anxious but certainly ready to let out the inner mongrel to redeem last weeks travesty in Devonport.
As said, while the start list was missing some big names of the past, it was still lined. Lots of 70.3 regulars, some 70.3 champions and some ITU swimming buffs namely Dylan McNeice & Dennis Vasiliev (I have a good history against this chap, a tuff' Russian who always travels on the express pain train service). Just as ITU swimming & the racing overall has really stepped a level the last half-decade, expect the 70.3 level to do the same with the ITU athletes now starting to make regular appreances. Myself, the aforementioned ITU swimmers & Gold Coast 70.3 champion Christian Kemp easily gapped the chase pack by 2+ mins.
Our party of four really took it to the chasers again with a quick bike. Christian and I did the bulk of the work around the flat fast course while Dylan was forced to pick & mix some turns and the Russ' did the honors for a breif 20seconds or so (with a dirty Brukhankov style grimmace). I knocked out 55minutes flat for the 40km, a time I'm yet to be consistent with around a short course racing (a good portent for the season ahead chaps). When we saw how much time we were putting into the chasers, we backed off a little and went through the second 40km in 56.60. Our final ride split was 2.06.28, a nice reward considering the amount of time I've spent on the bike this year. The cycling data has been made public below...
Christian was easily the strongest runner amongst our group, so I was expecting a tough running duel served cold with a side of laborious mental strain. I put my Garmin on, exited transition just started to run for feel. I went toe to toe with Christian for about 500m before I lost patience and threw out 'holding back' paradigm. I thought for a second that I has just signed my own DNF certificate, but Christian lost my feet straight away and like that I was on my own out front. By the first lap I already had 2minutes or so lead which grew to 5 by the end of the half-marathon, and I jogged my way in to win my first 70.3 in 3hours, 54mins. You can watch a video of my finish below!
Cheers to those who've passed kind words onto me since the race, it means a lot. From here I'll go into a good months block of training and then head Stateside for the first 5150 of the season!
Endurancetriathlonregards,
Burgs
Ubiquitous in Singapore each year though is enough heat and humidity to make you sweat your own spinal fluid & on occasion a little bone marrow. I've raced and won an ITU Conintental Cup here before, one of the most metally testing races I've yet to do. Natually I was a little anxious but certainly ready to let out the inner mongrel to redeem last weeks travesty in Devonport.
As said, while the start list was missing some big names of the past, it was still lined. Lots of 70.3 regulars, some 70.3 champions and some ITU swimming buffs namely Dylan McNeice & Dennis Vasiliev (I have a good history against this chap, a tuff' Russian who always travels on the express pain train service). Just as ITU swimming & the racing overall has really stepped a level the last half-decade, expect the 70.3 level to do the same with the ITU athletes now starting to make regular appreances. Myself, the aforementioned ITU swimmers & Gold Coast 70.3 champion Christian Kemp easily gapped the chase pack by 2+ mins.
Our party of four really took it to the chasers again with a quick bike. Christian and I did the bulk of the work around the flat fast course while Dylan was forced to pick & mix some turns and the Russ' did the honors for a breif 20seconds or so (with a dirty Brukhankov style grimmace). I knocked out 55minutes flat for the 40km, a time I'm yet to be consistent with around a short course racing (a good portent for the season ahead chaps). When we saw how much time we were putting into the chasers, we backed off a little and went through the second 40km in 56.60. Our final ride split was 2.06.28, a nice reward considering the amount of time I've spent on the bike this year. The cycling data has been made public below...
Christian was easily the strongest runner amongst our group, so I was expecting a tough running duel served cold with a side of laborious mental strain. I put my Garmin on, exited transition just started to run for feel. I went toe to toe with Christian for about 500m before I lost patience and threw out 'holding back' paradigm. I thought for a second that I has just signed my own DNF certificate, but Christian lost my feet straight away and like that I was on my own out front. By the first lap I already had 2minutes or so lead which grew to 5 by the end of the half-marathon, and I jogged my way in to win my first 70.3 in 3hours, 54mins. You can watch a video of my finish below!
Cheers to those who've passed kind words onto me since the race, it means a lot. From here I'll go into a good months block of training and then head Stateside for the first 5150 of the season!
Endurancetriathlonregards,
Burgs
yeeeeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
ReplyDeletethis is awesome...
ReplyDeletecongrats josh..
i am very happy for you..
cheers..
Great stuff mate. What is it that you're throwing around in the finishing straight?
ReplyDeleteThank Jens DB & Tim, I really apreciate the words!
ReplyDeleteThey are sponges that I got out on the run course. I spent the last 10k's or so wondering what I could do at the finish, and I guess it's rather underwhelming that that's all I came up with!