Blog Index Ironman 70.3 SA

Going into the race on Sunday, I was confident but a little unsure of my form, having not raced (anything long) since Kona in October. After Raynard withdrew I was thrust into the limelight as the South African favourite, despite the presence of many other strong locals.

The weather on race morning was great and after a beautiful sunrise the pro's gathered on the beach for the start of the Pro wave. As we got under way we were pounded by a big set of waves and it felt like they would never end. It made following the group and staying together tough and a group really only formed near the first turn bouy. I was just hanging on the back of the front group and trying to get my bearings, but was on someone's feet and feeling good. When I looked up again the guy in front of me had dropped off the pack. I immediately went around him, but it was too late and I became the leader of the 2nd group until Lucie Zelenkova came past me a little after halfway. I exited the water together with a few others, including eventual women's winner, Mari Rabie.

Out on the bike 2mins down on the leaders in 9th place but I was feeling good. About 5km's in my rear hydration system decided it was carrying too much weight and jettisoned my bottle. With only a concentrated mix of gels in the other bottle, I was going to get thirsty! (Note to self: Next time use an aero-bottle up front.) The first aid-station was supposed to be at 21km and I started counting down the km's. I got to minus-4, cos the aid station was actually at 25km! I slowed right down and made sure the bottle I took was what I wanted. I grabbed it and my first thought was, 'ah, yes, relief!'. Then I looked at the bottle and the lid was missing. Sigh. I did my best to drink from it, but most went on me, not in me and the bottle was empty way too soon. Another 20km to the next station...

At the halfway turn I could see the leaders coming down the on-ramp of the highway as I went up the off-ramp to cross the bridge, and got the split that I was still 2mins down.

On the way back I felt pretty good, but I suffered a few cramps in my inner hamstrings. At first I tried to stretch them, but after a while I just rode (painfully) through them. I knew that they were not muscles likely to cramp on the run, so if I could just get the end of the bike I should be fine...

By the start of the run I had lost some time and made up some places and exited T2 4:50 down on Fraser Cartmell and Brad Storm, in 4th place. I sipped a Red Bull and got into a good rhythm during the first lap as I slowly made up time. On the second lap I worked harder and brought the gap down to about 3mins. On the final lap I passed Brad for 2nd and pushed harder. Fraser was still out of sight, but I was I knew he was hurting and kept telling myself that he could cramp and be forced to walk even 100m from the end... He didn't. He held it together like the great athlete he is, and I finished 1min39 behind him in a new run course record of 1h14:29. (I had no idea about the record as I chose not to use a watch on race day.)

As a year-opener, I'll take it. There are many things to improve onin the coming months, but lots of positives to take from it too. I am getting a little tired of this second place stuff though... ;)

Onwards and upwards...

Well done James, an awesome run and a great overall place. Be proud, you are still way ahead of where you expected to be when you set your goals 4 years back. Remain patient, persevere and believe in yourself and you will achieve great things.

Congrats James, you were awesome on the day. Off the bike we believed you could make magic’s and win the race but u did not disappoint, your courage and the determination to win was out of this world. You are a champ, soon you will win a major race.