Three days after arriving home in Brisbane, I jumped back on a plane to fly across the country to Perth. At this point in the year, any flight is too long, especially a five hour flight. Nevertheless, I was keen to try my hand at the half-ironman distance and finish off the year with Mandurah 70.3. Mandurah Well, there is not too much to write about Mandurah, other than I led the swim, and had the Jamis looking splendid in T1 with an assortment of GU gels haphazardly taped to the top tube with gaffa tape. I hadn’t really given much thought to where these items would go, other than being quite sure that I did not want to use a bento box. The only bento box that I wanted to spend time with was the Japanese variety. At about two kilometres into the ride, I sustained a flat. With no spares or wheel support on the course, I was unable to finish. Having raced elite ITU events for ten years, only puncturing once, I was used to usually having two wheel stops each lap of a 6-8-lap course. I...

Don’t expect any whistles and bells this week, folks! Today I’m in the mood for some good old fashioned swimming! I did the set below at a Dynamo Masters practice earlier this week. I split the lane with my friend Alexis, who’s training for some super long open water swims this summer. It’s always nice having friends who are excited to knock out an extra 1800 yards at the end of practice! Tack this set onto the end of your own workout, and be diligent about the pacing! Number three of each distance should be FAST!!! Bonus: In ATL? I’m filling in for Coach Maria at tomorrow’s (Saturday, March 8th) Dynamo Masters practice at the Chamblee pool. Practice starts at 6:30am and I have a fun workout planned!! See you there!!

Caveman getting rid of frustration.                                                                   Pic by  Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust A week after a disastrous day long cramping episode* at XTERRA Grabouw, I had much pent up frustration to get rid of. *Cramps caused by Magnesium shortage. Will be taking Mg supplements for the rest of my life. (Normally I dont take any supplements at all) And of course, “I LOVE RACING!” Having finished 2nd (to Mannie Heymans) and 1st (on a prototype Specialized 29er) in 2010 at this event before, I was eager to hook it and see what comes out. The race was loaded with serious types getting ready for Cape Epic. The 1st 15km was flattish (Caveman terrain) so I started like it was a 55km TT.  The field strung out nicely and what I lacked on the climbs, Christophe Sauser made up. It was all fun and games till I started losing air pressure in the rear tyre from a small sidewall cut. Rear tyre getting dangerously flat. Johnn Rabie, Erik...

Three days after arriving home in Brisbane, I jumped back on a plane to fly across the country to Perth. At this point in the year, any flight is too long, especially a five hour flight. Nevertheless, I was keen to try my hand at the half-ironman distance and finish off the year with Mandurah 70.3. Mandurah Well, there is not too much to write about Mandurah, other than I led the swim, and had the Jamis looking splendid in T1 with an assortment of GU gels haphazardly taped to the top tube with gaffa tape. I hadn’t really given much thought to where these items would go, other than being quite sure that I did not want to use a bento box. The only bento box that I wanted to spend time with was the Japanese variety. At about two kilometres into the ride, I sustained a flat. With no spares or wheel support on the course, I was unable to finish. Having raced elite ITU events for ten years, only puncturing once, I was used to usually having two wheel stops each lap of a 6-8-lap course. I...

I call this race heartbreak race and it always is. Seven cracks at it now with the one victory back in 2009. In the weekend I was runner-up for the third time, but yet I keep coming back because I so much want another victory one day at my home Ironman. I love racing in Taupo. I find it really challenging, the cold in the morning, the mental aspects of riding 180k time trial; just me by myself on the bumpy roads with a stiff head wind which builds up to really hit you on that last 45k, and then that hilly run course when your legs are completely smashed from the bike ride. It's a pretty brutal course. But I love the swim, I love the crowds on the run, I love the community of Taupo and the race is always so well organised and the IMNZ team always looks after us so well. Plus in the weekend my son kept telling me how much he loves Taupo, the swimming pool especially and the Rotary train ride the day after the race, so I am sure we will be back!I wasn't disappointed in my race. It was one...