Blog » Singapore 70.3, 2012
Singapore 70.3, 2012
It’s been a long two weeks here in Singapore building up for the 70.3 – Its hard on the mind getting out there everyday and feeling lethargic and generally bad all round in this heat and humidity, but in saying that, when i tested the body over these weeks it always responded well and therefore knew I was in good shape.
Was very happy to get to race morning and after running around trying to find a toilet, I found myself nicely warmed up and ready to go!
Swim started well and I went straight to the front, swimming a pace that I was pretty comfortable with, but one I also knew would stretch a few guys out.
I took a look after lap one and saw that we had a group of 4 and a decent gap already. I lead out of the water and figured we’d have between a 1.30 and 2min lead – I was later told this was 2.40, which is a good solid lead I guess!
On the Bike Josh Amberger and Christian Kemp kept things rolling on the first of 3 laps – I was happy to follow and see where the legs were at. The legs were there and that’s always a good feeling in any race! We went through the 40km mark in bang on 55minutes, so we we’re moving pretty good and had opened up our total lead to 6minutes by the end of lap one (so I was told after). After lap one I started to get in the mix at the front and the 3 of us kept things ticking over nicely, with Dennis Vasiliev there also, but a bit ‘fresher’ in the non-drafting scene, so perhaps working a little harder than the rest of us as we didn’t see him at the front. Unfortunately I dropped my gel bottle, so missed taking in 5 gels, that in hindsight, would have been a magical thing come the 2nd lap of 3 on the run!
I lead the last 5 or so km’s in to transition 2 and the legs were feeling good. My GIANT Trinity Advanced was seriously insane and without my new sponsorship with GIANT I don’t think I would have been able to sustain the pace we were riding, let alone finish on the podium.
A little hick-up in T2 where I was sent on a wild-goose chase for my socks as they seemed to have been knocked out of my shoes some how and at distances and angles the mind struggles to comprehend. Never the less it only cost me 20-30 seconds and 21km in Singapore is a long way to run.
Josh took off like he was in an ITU race with Christian with him. Dennis was a bit more conservative and I caught him first, then Christian and then dropped Dennis. Josh looked good and I pretty much decided that 2nd place could be my 1st place today. I tried to get settled and was feeling ‘OK’ and also took in 3 gels early in the run to make up for those I lost on the bike.
When I hit lap 2 I really hit the wall, sorry for the lack of imagination here, but that was what happened. Every single stride told me to stop and fall over, but somehow I managed to keep ‘moving.’ I definitely would NOT describe what I was doing at this point as ‘running.’ I took in a few more calories via some energy tablets and they seemed to pick me up by the time I started lap 3. I started running a little better at this stage and it wasn’t until 2km to go that the body attempted meltdown number 2...0 – Ben Pulham a kiwi living in Singapore and ex-ITU racer gave me a solid talking to, as 4th was closing fast. I mustered probably more than I thought I had and basically walked across the line in 3rd.
Just quickly, it is a very cool course. Good 2 lap swim with a big and small lap, 3 lap bike with plenty of corners, but some nice straights too and plenty to keep you entertained, including A380’s taking off next to you, and the run isn’t too bad either being a 3 lap course, but the heat and humidity can take a hike!
Very happy to come away with my first podium in my second attempt at the 70.3 distance and especially in conditions that I would not generally say suit someone coming from good old Christchurch, NZ, weather. It was hot, 32d, and Humid, 100% humidity, and I felt every bit of it. Still everyone has to deal with that and congratulations to Josh for the win, who was super strong and Dennis for 2nd.
Next race on the calendar will probably be in Scandinavia. Looking forward to my first trip there... ;)
A big thank you to everyone for the massive support out there on the course, via email, text and social media & not forgetting my two long term loyal sponsors 2XU and Brooks - Legends!
A special thanks to Team Bike Labz for getting me over here to compete and to Dirk and Ben for having me crash at their house’s and eat all their food for longer than they probably would normally entertain!
Until next time
Dylan
