Singapore 70.3 – 3rd
Sunday September 7th
Racing in Singapore is an awesome experience. It’s warm early in the morning, the water is warm, the roads are smooth, and the run is one of the best (although very hot) in the world.
I went to Singapore for a few reasons, none of which were to win, and so maybe that’s why I didn’t..
It was a great weekend for me and my mates in our debut race in our team, Hiper 3.
My training for Hawaii has been going well, but it is a new program and I was keen to test how well it is working. I did my longest toughest run on Monday, followed with another tough run on Wednesday, so it was clear my focus is on Hawaii in 5 weeks time, but the few days rest before Singapore 70.3, and the tough race conditions were welcomed at this point in my training.
I took the lead in the swim, but in such a quality field and in warm non wetsuit conditions it is always a lot harder to drop people from my feet. So I cruised along at the front, occasionally surging to see if i could get a break, to no avail until the last 400 metres. I was being pushed into the rope on the shore side (inside) of the course by Bryan Rhodes, so i swam across his back and went wide, catching a current I had noticed on the first lap of the swim and within seconds I was clear of everyone and lead out the water with enough time to put on my socks (saving time from the bike/run transition) and exit with the pack.
Everyone of note who started the race was there in the pack. Simon Thompson, Peter Robertson, Reinaldo Colucci, Luke Mackenzie, Cam Watt, Terenzo Bozzone, Bryan Rhodes. We formed a solid pack and no one got away until Cam Watt launched an attack on the 3rd and final lap to lead into T2 with over a minute lead.
I was feeling good and had a quick transition (already had my socks on) and after 2km’s the positions were formed which would match those at the finish. Thomo took the lead, while I dropped back 10meters and ran with Terenzo for the 1st of 3 laps, holding Thomo nicely until I had to slow for a few km’s until I started cooling myself more smartly with the sponges at aid stations.
I came good and held the two leaders at about 1min while they battled together, with thomo finally pulling away for a great 15 second win. I ran in 2mins later, very happy with my run speed and strength.
It was great training for Hawaii, physically and mentally, and not just the racing, but also rooming with Thomo, and spending time with Robbo, it really makes it easier to speak to others in the same job as yourself. I also have done a couple of local running races in the last 2 months and found they also really helped my race mentally on the run.
I am feeling good, happy with my training, and looking forward to racing Hawaii.
I’ll update again soon,
Cheers
pete
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