The Lavaman Triathlon was the main purpose of my visit to Hawaii. i like to get to the Island at least once a year prior to the World championships to remind myself of the tough conditions and get a hit out over the course.
I usually do the Ironman 70.3 race in Hawaii in June and have won this event the past 3 years, but this year I am committed to doing the Ironman 70.3 event in St Polten, Austria which is on the same day.
I decided that this fast Olympic distance race in late March would be a good supplement and allow me my Big Island Hawaii fix for the season.
The course this year was super windy and it was a tough day. The heat was not too bad but the wind was some of the worst I have ever seen in Kona. It was brutal. I really wanted to set a tough pace and have a great solid performance. My good friend and Olympic Champion Simon Whitfield held the course record for the event (which he probably could have gone faster I am sure as he won the event quite easily) and I decided that this would be my target.
I had a solid day and was in control from the beginning of the race. I felt very strong on the bike which has been my focus these past 9 weeks and my run was sound. I ended up winning the event in record time and felt that my race was sound, after a tough Ironman 70.3 event seven days earlier in Singapore.
For my second race of the season things are good. My run is not where it will be in late June, but we were expecting this as our focus is about my bike position and building solid bike power early in the year. Our formula for building my run is a quick fix and I know within a few weeks we can be right on the money with the correct run training.
I ran well and put together a very solid race here in Lavaman to break the course record by more than 3 minutes and to win my first event of 2009, but I felt the vulnerability of my run in the hot conditions.
I am happy with the event, but dreading now the long haul flight across the Pacific. I am committed to racing the Ironman 70.3 race in New Orleans in 7 days, which will be my third hot weather race in as many weeks. It’s a tough schedule but always great to kick the season off in tough races. It sets the tone for the rest of the year.
Thanks to Tim Marr and his great crew of mates for hooking us up in Hawaii. It was great hanging out mate and I will see you in China in a few weeks.
