OWAIN MATTHEWS Triathlete & Triathlon Coach

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Husky Long Course - Quick Race Review

As my favourite race location of the year I was pleased to back racing at Husky in my second season of long course triathlon. In the middle of some strength training, I was feeling pretty fit and ready to see how I compared to my previous years result and set myself a marker for the season.

2014-02-24 06.54.21

I was in in an early wave this year and was pleased not to have to wait around on race morning (check out our red carpet in transition). The swim looked a little choppier than normal, but I feel I now fair pretty well in these conditions. I managed to get a steady start and hit the back of a good group, I got dragged around in just under 30 mins and was pleased to be out of the swim in 12th position and have some others around me to try to latch onto on the bike.

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The bike in Husky is great and has varied terrain around the course, but with the relatively short laps it always ends up with quite a few groups. I got quickly into my SIS nutrition and felt like Ive found a good rhythm with my nutrition combo of SIS GO gels and GO Electrolyte drink on the bike. Towards the end of lap 1 I could see a choo choo train starting to form behind, because of its size we were not moving particularly well and I made some surges to try and either get us going or reduce the size of the group. My new Tokyowheel carbon clinchers were rolling well and I felt very comfortable on the bike today, but found it hard keep away from more forming groups. I settled in for the last lap after numbers on the course were increasing and finished slightly below what I had expected in a ride time of 2.14.

2014-02-24 09.46.44

With a quick T2 I was ready to try and run consistently after fading a bit last year. Running solo I stuck to my 3-25-3.30 pace and felt great in my new Saucony Kinvara's. I went through 10km in around 35 mins and knew I could sustain this, if not go quicker. Unfortunately I didn't realise that I was within minutes of our AG leader. I kept to my pace and finished second, with a solid 69 minute run and 3.56 overall outing.

2014-02-24 09.47.38

It was great to be out early sharing the course with the Pro's and watching PJ and Reedy battle it out on the run. Great support from BTC as usual and some magnificent performances by the club. Another good start to the year!