Three is better than two...
12 March 2008
And now there are three!!
Its now 100% sure that there will be three New Zealand men standing on the start pontoon come August this year in Beijing. We managed to secure another spot for New Zealand by getting Shane Reed to the title on sunday in a much deserved effort by himself and all that played a part. It doesn't mean that Shane has the spot but by him producing such a great race he has made sure we have that third spot by being the oceania champion. And by no means sent a message to the selectors. It was always going to be a race within a race. There was such a lot riding on who was the eventual winner (and Olympic spot for the country). As myself and Bevan had already qualified we could not win the race if we wanted New Zealand to secure that extra spot. But with Shane racing so well everything worked out smoothly. It was also a credit to Shane after what was a very hard week for himself with the loss of his grandfather.
The race was brutal with conditions making the race a struggle throughout. Wellington blew like it's well known too and if you were not careful it just about blew you off ya feet, Let alone trying to ride a bike in it. As for the swim it looked like we were at a surf beach with the waves coming in... but no we were in the central city harbour! the chop was so high you really struggled to see the buoys but we had a lead kayaker so that made it fair on all. I had a great swim as I thought I would. All the work I have put in over the summer has been rewarded again. If there was one thing I'd identified from my last years results heading into the games. It was to improve my swim. that way I could be sure of being near the front without expending too much energy before the bike and run. So having two races and being out in the top three both times is game on.
As for the bike I knew I was always going to be short of energy following three hard weeks at altitude. So it was a save as much energy policy as I possibly could. I wont lie and say I stayed off the front where most of the hard work was done. But with the conditions the way they were, there was not much hiding anywhere. I made it into transition first as per normal and hit the ground running but it wasn't far into it that I knew the legs were not there today on the run. I hung tough until about 6k into the run until Bevan started to push. We had talked about it so i knew it was coming but unlike the story line I couldn't go with him and Shane and so that was the day for me.
If I was honest with myself I got what I expected. But I can't help having high expectations all the time it's the way I am. I'll always be like that even if its not realistic in some peoples eyes. If I think I can do it I'll give it a go if you don't try you will never know your limits.
So all in all it was the result everyone was looking for team and country wise. I would have loved to be second behind Shane alongside Bevan. But instead I had to settle for watching the win from distance.
Its back into some light easy training for a few days to get over the race and then its game on for the next 4 weeks to capitalise on the altitude effect and get ready for my first world cup of the year at home in New Plymouth.
Cheers,
Kris
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