After a long flight from Sydney, i arrived just only a few days before Oceanside 70.3 California.
I have been enjoying the warm weather in LA for a few days and battling some jet lag, then headed down with a mate to Oceanside San Diego.
Besides being jet lagged, i thought my preparation has been good leading into the race on the weekend, so i was intrigued to see how i would go early season, in such a impressive field.
The swim went well, i came out with the front group (besides Potts of course) and was with some seriously talented company.
I tried to be more patient on the bike, and stayed with the group as we had a good gap from the others out of the swim and were putting time into Potts.
Towards the back half of the bike, no one wanted to do any work, anytime i tried to break away thats the only time the group would work and closed the gap .(Very frustrating).
So in the end a large group from behind caught up, and we all caught Potts as well.
I got a flat tire just under 3km from the end of the bike leg. I didn't stop, and road it into transition managing to stay in-touch with the group and had to be extra careful on the corners.
Ultimately it came down to a runners race, some of the best athletes in the sport all getting off the bike together and ducking it out on the run.
I ran well, i was running stride for stride with Jordan Rapp, who seems after last years crash in really good form.
Was happy to have a running partner the whole half marathon, but as racing sometimes goes got out-kicked in the end and ran in for 6th.
Will be recovering this week, and ready to do it all again at the US Ironman 70.3 champs in Texas this following weekend.
See ya at the races
Paul
