Author Archives: SAM DOUGLAS

SD back in SYD

Hey guys,

 It’s been one month since returning home from New York City and I’ve only just found the time to sit down and write about it. Returning home to Sydney’s sunshine and beaches has been nice but also a huge change. I’ve gone from having nothing to do but train, race, and explore NYC to the real world where work and other commitments take priority. I’m definitely not complaining – it’s refreshing to have a formal structure to my days, but it’s certainly taken some time to adapt to the change in environment and pace. #firstworldproblems, ha!

I raced (more like participated) in the Port Macquarie Half Ironman 3 days after returning from the States. In retrospect, it was an unrealistic goal. Not only was I jetlagged and out of routine, I’d also agreed to work night shifts in the short lead-time to the race. Regardless of outcome I had an enjoyable time up there and caught up with some friends I haven’t seen in a while. It served as a bit of a reminder of what I need to focus on and was nonetheless a good training day as I came out of the water in 3rd and off the bike in the chase bunch. Up until this race I’d originally planned to also do Nepean, and then Challenge Forster but after some discussion with my coach we decided pulling the pin on these was the best option while I am in training mode. I love to race and love to perform at races, so deciding to get some consistent training in before jumping into more racing was a tough but right decision.

I now have some routine back and although it’s busy, its the way I like it. I like to keep busy with work and training I find that having an allocated time slot for a session keeps me honest and makes me train harder for that skill. I’ve had enough time to plan some races and also plan some new Sponsorship. Last week I partnered with Merida Bikes Australia and am very happy to have them on board. I’ve ridden a Merida for two seasons now and can say they are a phenomenal bike company and doing some really cool stuff. The team has sent me a new roadie and TT bike for 2015. After riding a TT bike only for the past 2 years, it is great to be back on something better suited for training and bunch rides. I’ll post some photos after I race this weekend!

I am racing the Kingscliff Tri this weekend, and am looking forward to it. The last time I raced this was 2 years ago for Australian University Games when I was part of the Sydney University Elite Athlete Program. I remember it being a beautiful spot and a great course for an Olympic distance race. I’ve also signed up for the first Kurnell of the season, as a little hit out and simply because I love that race – it is the easiest race for me to get to from home which makes race morning easy, and there is so much added nostalgia of growing up on that course. I am still figuring out the rest of the season – lots of things are happening so I need to be strategic!

Glad to be home for the glorious Australian summer and race season.  The training is going well and I can’t wait to get back out there tomorrow at Kingscliff and catch up with my Coach after. Thanks again PowerBar, Merida, and Swift Multisport for the support. Looking forward to racing hard this year!

Train safe. Have fun.

SD

 #Merida #powerbar #swiftmultisport #triathlon #PortMacquarie #kingytri #nyc #KurnellTri

New York City Triathlon – August 3, 2014

The Lifetime New York City Triathlon came around quick this year! I always look forward to a race in which I can sleep in my own bed the night before, but in saying that I don’t think I got more than 2 hours sleep. The race is an early one which kicks off on the west side of Manhattan about 1 mile from where I currently call home. This race brought with it a very solid and competitive field as NYC triathlon is part of the Lifetime Series Triple Crown, which offers $50,000 dollars to the winner of a 3 race series, New York being part of that series. Last year I finished in 5th place in a time of 1.57 I was looking to improve on this.

 
The Hudson River has a ridiculously strong current, and usually pulls athletes down stream in 12 minutes. The gun goes and we immediately feel the current pull us down stream. Cameron Dye took lead and zig zagged with the current, I did my best to try and follow his direction and exited about 10 seconds off him and chased the front pack of pros 700m from the swim exit to T1. Transition was quick despite the pouring rain. I could see a few guys up ahead and dug deep to bridge the gap created by the long run from swim to T1. I felt comfortable and strong on the bike, and found myself in a staggered bunch with about 8 other pros. I rode in to T2 in 5th.
 
Heading up hill on the first mile of the run I could see the guys grouping up ahead. My legs felt good but they had worked hard on the bike, so all I could do was run my race now as the front bunch of guys slowly pulled away. I knew the run course like the back of my hand and know that it’s anything but flat. Last year I popped on the run and that was something I didn’t want to happen this year. I paced myself up the hills and ran consistently, but with one mile to go an athlete passed me like he was running a 1 mile effort (but he ended up having the quickest run split.) I ran in across the line in 8th place. I was happy and content with this effort as my run felt strong, my bike felt solid, and the swim was obviously quick. I ended up knocking 6.5 minutes off my time from last year, the biggest change being a 33.40 run this year compared to a 35.46 run last year’s race where I placed 5th. Needless to say, the field was deeper this year but it’s a step in the right direction.
 
There are still minutes that need to be knocked off the run, but for the meantime I will keep training and try and work on that 10k split. I’ve decided to compete in Chicago Lifetime Olympic distance on the 24th of August and am looking forward to giving it a crack in Chi-town!
 
Big THANK YOUs to:
– PowerBar Nutrition
– SWIFT Multisport
– NYAC
– Talent Cycles NYC
– Andy Kronschnabel + Ken Rideout
 
Have fun, train safe.
SD