Saturday 28 February 2009

New Zealand Ironman - Lake Taupo

Well, I am now into the final week of my preparation for IM NZ and things have been going well. I am lighter than I have been for a few years for an Australasian race and I have put in a great block of training. I feel good, well prepared, and ready to go. It is just a matter of keeping things together for the last week, travelling well, and firing on race day. Platypus Asset Management will be supporting me again this year and I want to thank Nick, Gabrielle, and the guys for helping me out and all their encouragement. It will be interesting to see how the race plays out with a few people already qualified for Hawaii, some Olympians stepping up, the World 70.3 (Half Ironman) Champion racing with pre-qualification, and the 15 minute head start on the Age-groupers. The head start is good for me as it does not allow the slower swimming pro's to be dragged along in the swim to quicker times thereby lessening the gap to the better swim-bikers. There will be a few people going bust for podium positions which should splinter the field and a few will survive with others blowing up. The weather has been shocking the last few days but forecast is for similar rain and wind to last year on race day. Overall, good things for me as the weather does not bother me and I am happy for splintering groups with people not sure if they will make the distance or have correct nutrition strategies. I am race number 38 and will have the linkages for following the race posted this week sometime. I have some old mates from Sydney and abroad racing in Taupo so it will be great to catch up with them.
Cheers,
Bevan.

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