Des Moines race report 16th June 2010
Good morning all,
Yes, 3 seconds again was all that separated me from 200,000 US big ones! It's so hard to have that perfect race these days when the caliber of the field just keeps on getting better and better. But to come so close in the last two years just makes the fire burn even more so early ahead of next years race. It was however great to stand on the podium this year, you feel like you come away with just a bit more from such a major race but I know everyone dreams about standing on the top of that dais in Des Moines and if its one thing at least I'm getting closer.
I always like to start with thanks, and as it is with every race they all develop differently ahead of time and the people around you become just as important leading into the bigger events of the year. And I start with "Little shogun" aka Ryan Sissons, thanks so much for keeping me company over the last 5 weeks in Boulder. We had a great time smashing it up together and although I know you were not happy with your final result you learnt more than you will know at present and all those pieces to the puzzle will fit in nicely come Budapest I'm sure of that. To Marty and Kate was cool to live with you both over the last month and a bit and I'm sure you will all be bored senseless now I'm gone for your entertainment ;-) The whole Triathlon New Zealand High Performance squad, Greg, Tim, Rob and Pete the results overall reflect the culture that is being born into this group that was individuals and is now so much more than that. I'm know there is much, much more to come from everyone this year.
So to the race itself. As I've said before this was my first real peak of the year. The first part of the season was geared to racing here and racing well. I've spoken about it before, and this is something myself and Chris want to develop further over the next two and half years. Getting it all right on the day is for sure a fine art, I'll be honest and say I'm still yet to achieve this, but there has to be a blue print to work from. The results are reflecting we are getting closer to something that we both feel comfortable we can work from. I've been in great shape before big races in the past but for one reason or another lady luck has just not shinned down on me when I needed her. You have to constantly believe that's going to change, and that perfect day is just around the corner, so I keep pushing
The field at this years race was as always, full of talent! When you are racing for 200,000 US dollars there are not many who wont have a go and risk it all. There were guys in form, guys who were maybe under the radar, guys who had prepared for this event more than others and lastly guys who had raced in Madrid the week before at the World Championship series event. All these factors would prove to make for a great race for all of us as athletes, and for the fans in Des Moines that yelled and cheered us on.
I choose to start on the inside for the swim this year. Last year I started on the outside and found myself having to swim too wide around the first two cans as they were almost 90 degree turns and lost a lot of ground in doing so. It proved a perfect call as I started right next to my mate Courtney Atkinson on the left. We had a great line ( which he provided for me) the whole way to the first can and most of the way around the swim. I ended up exiting the water 6th and looked across to see Ryan ( amazing swim for him) and had a quick joke to him ( set the tone for the day ) as we ran into transition to grab our bikes.
The big boys were up front early and really any thought of getting away on this course was probably a waste of time and energy. However as in Seoul the tight nature of the course meant a great deal of concentration to remain at or near the front to save as much energy as you could and also to stay out of any ensuing trouble. About the only athlete that actually got away for real was Ryan! he managed to slip off the front when we both rolled through and every one just looked at me to close the gap, fat chance! I tried to block for him as much as I could and he actually had around 40 seconds at one point while he rode solo for two laps. He just needed someone to go across and hook up with him and it might have stuck. Funny thing was all the guys in the group kept asking "can that guy run" I was like "nah he's crap" which of course is very far from the truth! oh well next time little shogun.
The all important 2nd transition was nearing, and with a big group and a tight and narrow course positioning would be critical. I pride myself at this small but important aspect of our sport and I waited for the right moment to get to the front, and eventually dismount in the lead together with my good buddy Jan Frodeno. We hit the ground running and legs felt good I chucked the puma's on and waited for fireworks to really begin.
The first meters were good on the run as I got out early and found my rhythm without pushing. But some meters later Mr Tim Don arrived on the scene! I knew before the race there were guys to watch and right at the top of the list was Tim. His change of pace had an instant impact on the field and after 1k there was just Tim, myself and Jan. I heard the call from the coaches at 1k and I thought no way can I hold this pace, relax, find your own rhythm, and they will come back later on.
I dropped off and begun to run a pace I felt I could hold onto. Jan scrapped it out with Tim for a bit longer before he also got distanced and then Tim was set free to run alone. By the end of the first lap there was a 5 or so second gap between all of us, and Bevan and Courtney were hauling a group of 4 or 5 behind us all towards the front. This is where the race changed. At this point I was feeling very good after settling down, I knew Bevan would roll towards the front as he always does. I was ready for it and I saw him start to move and thought here we go the race is on now for good. But then out of the corner of my eye I saw and official jump out at Bevan for a penalty he had accrued during the race at some point. These types of penalties are served in a box beside transition, as a stand down period for 15 seconds.
The whole rhythm changed at that point and there was a bit of indecision between the group. In the end Courtney took up the speed and began to push the pace again. Guys started to drop off one by one and we seemed to start to limit the losses to Tim at the front. I made a decision at that point to also push a bit at around 6k. It was now or never in terms of making our way to the front and so I surged to move up on Jan who was still in between us and Tim. Only Courtney could follow and then he quickly moved around me as we both went past Jan. The two of us were now alone in pursuit of Tim and the win. There was no doubt Tim was hurting, but of course so were we! I tried to swap turns with Courtney, but I found it hard to have a rhythm running in front compared to following him. Heading into the last lap of 2.5k we had a 19 second deficit, I hoped it might not be to much. I was banking on Tim's mighty solo effort falling short of the line and him giving us that window of opportunity we were looking for. The last lap was by far the hardest, it always is, I struggled really bad to hang on as Courtney pushed hard at Tim and now we had Mr Docherty charging from behind after his penalty ( Respect!).
At the final turn we had it down to 11 seconds. 1k to go, what would be would be. Courtney pushed hard and I drifted twice in the last 800 meters as I lost a bit of focus and was taking water like it was going out of fashion! I knew this was the same position I was in last year, all be it racing for first which now was looking out of our reach. With 400 meters to go I had to think about the sprint for 2nd. Last year I know I had the legs and the kick but I made a mistake. Not checking out the finishing chute and starting my sprint to early was a rookie error.
This time I had to make it stick. Sprinting against a mate is never fun but I knew we both would give it everything we had. Courtney started the sprint and gained a small gap straight away, but I saw he kind of stopped and so I went for it with around 60 meters to go ( I know this as it's the only thing I made sure of for 100% before the race, check and measure the finish chute!) I managed to slip under his left shoulder whilst Tim was holding up the finishing banner aloft just in front of us. Bitter sweet, 3 seconds ( minus some celebrating on his behalf ) again two years in a row. But second none the less, and a huge step in the right direction in terms of my perspective about what this season holds for me, and my intentions come September in Budapest at the World Championship grand final.
So a huge congrads to Tim, what a race, and you deserve everything you get. To Courtney another great race, and another amazing performance that you keep laying down week after week. To all the crew at Triathlon New Zealand well done to you all and enjoy Boulder again I'm sure it will be mint.
For me it's time to get on my last plane towards Montpellier and then onto Sete to stay with Mr Laurent Vidal and Miss Andrea Hewitt. From there we will all be heading up to my old training Haunt of Font Romeu. I can't wait to get back there after missing out last year. Not to mention smashing it up with Mr Vidal! I know it's going to be a great time and a lot of fun for sure.
So think of me doing the "hard yards" in the mountains of France, sipping red wine, eating fresh bread and great cheese and of course enjoying that French culture ;-) Of course that's all when I'm not training my ass off!!.
Talk care everyone,
Kris