The last month has been full on training. Hard efforts whilst most of my squad were taking their end of season break. But for myself and Kurt (fellow triathlete with Eclipse) we both have races abroad very soon, so there was no let up for us. I've had the most amazing first domestic and international season around Australia and Asia and now it's time for the European season. Stu, my coach, has got me peaking at the right time. My swimming, cycling and running are all in great shape right now, so with just over a month to go until my first race in triathlon season no.2 of the year, I'm feeling like I'm in the right place.
In amongst this block I've had a few little running races. As many Australian readers will know it was Ironman 70.3 Busselton on the first weekend in May. No, I didn't spontaneously do a half Ironman, but I did do the 5km run and 1km swimming race both on the day before the event, so here's a small recap of that weekends' events.
The 5km started at 7am so we were up early to warm up for the race. There was some stiff competition, especially with Liam McCoach on the start line. When the gun went I made a quick decision to try and stay with Liam and that probably wasn't the smartest idea, but oh well. With the first kilometre covered in a rather speedy 2:53, I knew immediately that I would start to pay for that effort, which I did, slowly dropping back from Liam. I had a decent gap on 3rd and 4th, but that gap was closing and before I knew it they were right behind me. Now it was a three way sprint for the podium. I gave it all, but unfortunately only managed 3rd. Collapsing at the finish with a time of 16:04 I was escorted to the ambulance for a check up. Big thanks to the paramedics for stopping my Garmin. I was pretty happy with the time but also gutted not to get 2nd place so I reset myself and got ready for the swim race a few hours later.
We got to the water and it was rough. Like it was rough! Everyone was also complaining how cold it was, but at 17C I was pretty toasty in my Zone3 Vanquish. I was a bit nervous as I've struggled in the rough choppy waters at every triathlon I've done here, so I wasn't expecting much. The 1000m, 2 lap swim course was going to be a challenge. I managed to stick with the leaders for a bit, but they got away from me. I was getting battered by the chop, but got my head down and kept working. On the second lap I lifted my arm turnover and just gave everything I had not knowing where I was in the field. As I approached the finish I swallowed so much sea water I managed to throw up whilst swimming. A first for me, but that didn't stop me. I ran on to the beach and to my surprise finished in 4th place. Again, gutted to just miss the podium, but delighted to be so close to the leaders.
The weekend away was spent camping in a tent so we stayed on to watch the Ironman race the next day. It was a great weekend despite our tent collapsing and almost blowing away!
More recently was the HBF 'Run for a Reason' where 35,000 runners take part in either a 4km, 12km or 21km run. On Sunday I took part in the 4km race which was frighteningly fast. The first 1km was more or less downhill and the rest of the race had a tailwind. An elite field lined up and we sprinted off in wet conditions. The first kilometre was done and dusted in 2:44, the next in a tad over 3mins. The final time for me was 12:32 and I finished in 11th place. 11th out of around 13,000 runners isn't a shabby result.
As you're reading this I'm starting to pack my bags as in less than a week I'll be touching down in London Heathrow for my trip to the UK/Europe. For those that missed me, not long now! For those that didn't miss me, not long now!
I'm very proud and lucky to be supported by Pedal Potential, Sam Farmer, Zone 3, Vorgee and Rocktape. All year round through racing and training they have been super supportive and I'm looking forward to coming back to the UK to see my sponsors again and represent them as best as I can.
I am so grateful for everyone in Perth for being so welcoming. It has been the most amazing six months here and this part is almost at an end. UK/Europe will only be seven weeks away and in no time I'll be back. It might not have been the original intention to relocate here so soon, but it sort of just happened as opportunities arose and I honestly haven't looked back. There is no place I'd rather be. There is no better place to train and no better people to train with, than the people of Perth and the squad at Eclipse Performance Centre. A huge thank you to Stu and Bon for integrating me into the squad so smoothly, it feels like I've been here for years. I will miss you guys while I'm away but I'll be back before you know it!
Thank you all for reading and visiting my website. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Sam
In amongst this block I've had a few little running races. As many Australian readers will know it was Ironman 70.3 Busselton on the first weekend in May. No, I didn't spontaneously do a half Ironman, but I did do the 5km run and 1km swimming race both on the day before the event, so here's a small recap of that weekends' events.
The 5km started at 7am so we were up early to warm up for the race. There was some stiff competition, especially with Liam McCoach on the start line. When the gun went I made a quick decision to try and stay with Liam and that probably wasn't the smartest idea, but oh well. With the first kilometre covered in a rather speedy 2:53, I knew immediately that I would start to pay for that effort, which I did, slowly dropping back from Liam. I had a decent gap on 3rd and 4th, but that gap was closing and before I knew it they were right behind me. Now it was a three way sprint for the podium. I gave it all, but unfortunately only managed 3rd. Collapsing at the finish with a time of 16:04 I was escorted to the ambulance for a check up. Big thanks to the paramedics for stopping my Garmin. I was pretty happy with the time but also gutted not to get 2nd place so I reset myself and got ready for the swim race a few hours later.
We got to the water and it was rough. Like it was rough! Everyone was also complaining how cold it was, but at 17C I was pretty toasty in my Zone3 Vanquish. I was a bit nervous as I've struggled in the rough choppy waters at every triathlon I've done here, so I wasn't expecting much. The 1000m, 2 lap swim course was going to be a challenge. I managed to stick with the leaders for a bit, but they got away from me. I was getting battered by the chop, but got my head down and kept working. On the second lap I lifted my arm turnover and just gave everything I had not knowing where I was in the field. As I approached the finish I swallowed so much sea water I managed to throw up whilst swimming. A first for me, but that didn't stop me. I ran on to the beach and to my surprise finished in 4th place. Again, gutted to just miss the podium, but delighted to be so close to the leaders.
The weekend away was spent camping in a tent so we stayed on to watch the Ironman race the next day. It was a great weekend despite our tent collapsing and almost blowing away!
More recently was the HBF 'Run for a Reason' where 35,000 runners take part in either a 4km, 12km or 21km run. On Sunday I took part in the 4km race which was frighteningly fast. The first 1km was more or less downhill and the rest of the race had a tailwind. An elite field lined up and we sprinted off in wet conditions. The first kilometre was done and dusted in 2:44, the next in a tad over 3mins. The final time for me was 12:32 and I finished in 11th place. 11th out of around 13,000 runners isn't a shabby result.
As you're reading this I'm starting to pack my bags as in less than a week I'll be touching down in London Heathrow for my trip to the UK/Europe. For those that missed me, not long now! For those that didn't miss me, not long now!
I'm very proud and lucky to be supported by Pedal Potential, Sam Farmer, Zone 3, Vorgee and Rocktape. All year round through racing and training they have been super supportive and I'm looking forward to coming back to the UK to see my sponsors again and represent them as best as I can.
I am so grateful for everyone in Perth for being so welcoming. It has been the most amazing six months here and this part is almost at an end. UK/Europe will only be seven weeks away and in no time I'll be back. It might not have been the original intention to relocate here so soon, but it sort of just happened as opportunities arose and I honestly haven't looked back. There is no place I'd rather be. There is no better place to train and no better people to train with, than the people of Perth and the squad at Eclipse Performance Centre. A huge thank you to Stu and Bon for integrating me into the squad so smoothly, it feels like I've been here for years. I will miss you guys while I'm away but I'll be back before you know it!
Thank you all for reading and visiting my website. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Sam