Good swim. Started to the side, but closer to the front than usual. For the first half of the first leg I was beside my friend Decke, but he then started to fall behind. Was in a small group of 3-4 swimmers for most of the course, so drafting was probably good. With the water so clear, navigation was easy. Only negative was a girl on the inside of me got lost on the final leg back in to the beach, and pushed me off course. I had to slow to go behind her to get back on track.

Nothing. I was very happy with today's swim.

The low lake made for a 100m or so run to transition, so added a bit to the time. Wetsuit was half off before arriving at the bike. But I felt I was a bit lethargic here, didn't have my usual urgency getting the bike gear on.


More urgency.

I'm very happy with how my bike went today. It took 5 min or so to get into my work, but once settled I was able to maintain a nice hard effort on the flats, and spun my way up the hills. I had a good battle with Decke on the ride, he caught me 6km into the ride and we spent the rest of the ride changing places. He was faster in the hills, I was faster on the flats. The only negative is I was quite conservative going down the hills. I think this was partially because I am still down on confidence after the crash at Maraetai, and partially as I continue to get used to the handling of the new bike. Also, up the steepest climb I ran out of gears. This could be a problem in the northern crossing, so I will be getting a new cassette before then. In the last 2km of the ride I lost a little time to Decke, as I backed off to give my legs a pre run rest.

Over all I wouldn't change much. Other than being more aggressive down the hills, and having an extra gear for climbs.

Better than T1. Gained a bit of time here.

As soon as I started the run, I knew that today wasn't going to be my day. I had nothing in my legs, and any little bit of running form was gone by the top of the first climb (which I, and most, walked anyway). I tried to make the best of it, and kept up a jog for the duration (other than walking the 2nd steep climb) but overall was disappointed with how things went. I overtook nobody on the run, and lost at least 6-7 places.


I'm not really sure what went wrong. I'm assuming that it's just a bit of fatigue I was feeling, I had no taper or anything for this race as it is not a goal race. I think a good taper would have improved my performance Also I'm not running enough. I've been doing 25-30km/week recently I should be up doing 35+ before I run well... I know this from previous experience.

3 main things come to mind,

1. I'm to heavy. On a hilly course like this that really expresses itself.
2. No taper, it wasn't a goal race, but I did nothing to try and peak in the slightest. If I had focused more on this race in the last 2 weeks I would have had a better day.
3. Run more. 35-40km/week an I will run better. I need to spend the next few weeks building up my run volume again.


This is the hardest triathlon course I have done, but nice relaxed atmosphere which I do enjoy. I'll be back again and get that 2 hour mark next year.