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Hi all,

I haven't been in touch a lot since I have been in Europe as the racing has not gone particularly well due to a good dose of bad luck and bad health. So it was fantastic to finish up with a podium in my 4th Iron distance race in Vichy yesterday.

I had based myself in Vichy for the 2 weeks leading to the race. I had become very familiar with the course and coach Gordon Walker did a great job of wiping me into shape with the limited time frame. I was feeling confident of a solid performance and hungry to take a good result home with me.

All week the forecast temperature for race day had been climbing so we knew we were in for a hot day. So hot in fact on the days leading up to the race that the sun had been baking the lake and forced the officals to declare a non-wetsuit swim on the morning of the race with a lake temperature of 26.2 degrees. The non-wetsuit swim threw a spanner in the works for me. Not being a natural swimmer, I tend to lose more time than usual to the top swimmers in our sport without a wetsuit. In this case I lost 7 minutes to the lead of the race after the 3.8km swim, exiting in 12th position.

I needed to get myself back in the game. But the group up front was riding well together and after 80km on the bike the gap had gone out to 12 minutes! So on the second lap on the bike I had to make a move. I rode hard for the last 90km and managed to bring the gap back to 5 minutes 30 and come off the bike in 5th place. 

The run was hot (38 degrees)! Hotter than I have ever experienced before. Every aid station was an oasis and cold water has never tasted so good! I ran my way into 2nd with 20km to go and had been closing on Stephen Bayliss (the eventual winner) for most of the run. The gap was now 3 minutes and thought it was on for the win. I dug in, reducing the gap down to 2 minutes with 14km to go. But that was as close as it got. The hard ride to make up the swim deficit and the heat was taking its toll. I was cooked and faded back to 3rd, finishing 6 minutes down on Bayliss and 2 minutes to 2nd.

The saying "you can't win the race in the swim, but you can definitely lose it" couldn't have been more true for me yesterday. Making up 7 minutes was always going to be tough work, so I was satisfied to come away with a podium after the poor start.

It has been a tough two months up here in Europe for me. First with the puncture at Challenge Aarhus, which ruuined the chance of a result there. Then just as I was getting back to some quality training in Germany I was struck down with a terrible stomach bug which left me bed ridden for 5 days, not eating and hooked up to a drip. This then meant I missed the German club race I was supposed to do and was in terrible shape for the Alpe d'Huez triathlon which placed me outside the top 30 there.

In light of all that, I didn't want to come home empty handed and Vichy was my last chance to take a result home. The top spot would have been ideal, but a podium is satisfying enough.  So with the Euro season wrapped up, it is back home to New Zealand tomorrow for a little off season before the NZ summer. 

Challenge Vichy was superbly organised, especially for its inaugural year. It is a excellent course in a beautiful part of France. I would love to come back next year to chase the top spot!

To finish a a really positive note, Fiona (my fiancee) completed her first Iron distance race yesterday! And completed it very well, finishing 5th in the pro women's field in 10:52!! Tremendous effort for her comeback race after having surgery earlier in the year and 18 months out of the sport. 

Thanks all for your continued support.

See you back in NZ soon. 

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Hey team. Hope everyone is well. I haven’t been in touch for a while, it has
been head down bum up training getting ready for the first block of the
international season which got underway today at the Bussleton 70.3 Ironman
(half ironman), Western Australia.


The course is dead flat and is known for being extremely fast. This sort of
course suits the fast runners and there was a good bunch of top Australians
racing who are renowned for their running ability amougst the field of 20
pro men. However some of them raced last weekend at Port MacQuarie, so
despite the course suiting them, there was an opportunity to catch them out
on tired legs.


We all exited the water together. It was a massive group with just two guys
up the road. The big bunch was moving pretty slowly, so after 10km it was
timed to test their legs out. I pinned it on the front several times to try
and break the pack up, but with the bike course being fast and flat it was
very hard to create any gaps. Finally with about 15km to go I hit it hard on
the front through an aid station and finally got away with familiar company
in Australian Josh Rix, who I rode with off the front for most of Challenge
Wanaka.

Entering T2 with the second fastest bike split I had moved up to 3rd (a good
start for racing on the new Cervelo P4!) But the breakaway was too late in
the ride to really distance ourselves from the chasing pack of runners. A
the first lap of three, I was over taken by a fast moving group of
Australian including Tim Berkal (eventual winner), Matty White, Tim Reed,
David Dellow and Leon Griffen, which meant I was back in 8th and off the
podium. I stuck at it and overhauled the initial leader off the bike, Guy
Crawford, and then caught Leon Griffen back. When David Dellow blew up and
pulled out I was back in 5th and held that place through to the finish.



It was also a new personal best time for me over the Half Ironman distance
in 3:57:10. Of my last 6 starts in Ironman 70.3 events I have top 5 podium
finishes in every one.


Huge congratulations to our Kiwi Ironman legend Jo Lawn for winning the
womens race only 6 days after also winning the Port MacQuarie 70.3. Two
great results for her and is in some seriously good form!


I fly out for Cairns tomorrow where I will train for the next 4 weeks
leading into Challenge Cairns (Ironman distance race). I am looking forward
to getting stuck into some quality training there and ramping the form up
for the big race.


Thanks to everyone for taking a moment to read my race update.


Hope everyone is well and I will be in touch with soon with how the
preparation goes for Challenge Cairns.




Best regards,
*Jamie Whyte

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By Michelle Downs

Kate Bevilaqua’s victory at ironman WA last December was special for many reasons; it was in her home state, her first Ironman title and most significantly the end of a horrid run of injuries that had kept her from performing at her best for eighteen months. However, it was her desperate crawl to the finish line which won the hearts of ironman followers everywhere and will ensure she makes the highlights reel for many years to come!

Kate opens her 2011 season next weekend at Ironman New Zealand, the race in which she had her breakthrough performance in 2008 with a second place to Kiwi legend Jo lawn. We caught up with her as she was completing her preparation in Perth.

 

TT: How did it feel to win your first Ironman title at Ironman WA a few months ago with the support of your home crowd?

 

KB: It was absolutely amazing!! I have always dreamed of winning an Ironman but for it to happen at home in front of my family and friends, was incredible. There are so many people here in Perth that played a part in that victory. Swimming, biking and running with me for years. It meant a lot to share it with them all.

 

TT: Tell us about that famous finish of yours where you crawled across the line! What was it like from your perspective?

 

From my perspective? Actually it was very painful! About 1km out I started to completely loose control of my legs, even walking was becoming a struggle. I was devastated and could think of nothing but getting to that finish line! Down the chute they kept buckling beneath me and I didn’t know if I was going to make it! The last little up hill of the ramp was too much and my legs completely gave way. Lucky for me I was still able to crawl to make sure I was over that line. It wasn’t until I was in the medical tent and starting to feel a little better that a big smile came over my face when I realised I had won!!

 

TT:You certainly had a big year in 2010 with five Ironman finishes, including Hawaii and your win at Busselton. What were the highlights of the season for you?

 

Well the biggest highlight has definitely been just being able to race because that is a huge improvement on the previous 18 months.  But my 2^nd in the Busselton Half Ironman then 4^th at Ironman Lake Placid in July in which I qualified for Hawaii would also stand out as being successful races for me. Obviously now winning Ironman Western Australia is the highlight of my career!

 

TT:You begin your 2011 campaign at Ironman New Zealand next weekend. How have your preparations been? Did you have much of a break after Busselton?

 

Yes, I had a good break after Busso! I took the rest of the year off then went travelling overseas with my family for some skiing in Whistler and time in Hawaii that didn’t involve an Ironman. My preparations for New Zealand have been a little short compared to what I am used to but I love the race and didn’t want to miss it. 

 

TT:The women’s professional field lining up for NZ is looking very strong! Who do consider as major threats for the win?

 

Well, you definitely can’t go past Miranda, World Champion, I know it is early in the season but she runs a sub 3 hour marathon!! Hard to top that! But Jo Lawn know’s how to race hard and win! You don’t come away with 7 victories without being amazing! The dark horse will be Belinda Harper. Stepping up to the Pro ranks her performance in Wanaka shows she already knows what it takes and racing at home will give her that extra lift!

 

TT:Tell us about your past experiences at Ironman NZ. Why you are back for more and what do you enjoy about this race?

 

My first race in NZ was a break though for me  in 2008 when I finished 2^nd after running side by side with Jo for 20km of the run. This gave me a lot of confidence and belief I could do it and a victory would not be far away. Unfortunately just after that I was injured for nearly 18 months and I didn’t return until 2010 where I was sick leading up to the race and this took its toll as I finished 7^th. Now, 2011, who knows?? Jane and Janette put on a great race and it is all about the athletes. My entire family love returning because they love holidaying in New Zealand as well.

 

TT:What are the plans for the rest of the year post New Zealand? Have you finalised your race and travel schedule for 2011?

 

Schedule is never finalised there is always changes, but now after New Zealand I will be heading back to Perth for Busso 70.3 as a lead up to Ironman Lanzarote which is the end of May. From there it will be across to the States where I am still deciding which races I will do depending on accumulating enough points for Hawaii.

 

TT: You have had a horror run with injury over the past few years. Are you well on the road to recovery now?

 

Absolutely!! That is why there has been so much racing this year for me. I have been excited to back at it again and doing what I love.  My run training is still not back to 100% yet. I was advised by my doctor and coach to give it at least at year of just base training, ironman pace running, and anything quicker than that was during a race! I have done that and after New Zealand I am looking forward to getting back into some speed work for the rest of the year.

 

TT: You are known for a super speedy run leg. Any run training secrets you wish to share with our readers?

 

Secrets??? No! They are all mine to keep! I can tell you though, I was never a runner! Hated it! Never ran in highschool and was exceptionally slow when I first started triathlon. You have to be patient with it and it will develop over time with consistency!  I will admit that I run on the treadmill A LOT!!!

 

TT:As always there will be plenty of first timer’s participating in Ironman in the coming few months with New Zealand followed by ironman Australia. What advice can you give the novice competitors?

 

Nutrition!!! Eat up and have a feast! It is just as important as your swimming, biking and running because you can’t do any of those without fueling the engine!  Patience, one foot in front of the other. Be thankful of the opportunity to be out there, taking part in such an amazing event. I missed it so much when I couldn’t do it, now I get pretty excited every opportunity I  get!!

 

TT:And finally, what are your specific goals for the race in NZ next weekend?

 

After the way I finished Ironman Western Australia last year there are a few nutritional goals I have in mind to practice that will hopefully allow me to finish in more of an upright position.  Pacing is also something I am yet to master in the marathon so we will see how it goes!!

 

We wish Kate the best of luck at Ironman New Zealand and her coming races this season!

Happy New Year             

The Year so far:

I have to say, 2011 has got off to a pretty good start so far. I was lucky enough to spend the best part of a week training up in Thredbo in early January. Training in Thredbo is great fun! There are normally heaps of mates up there to train with but this year I was going up lone wolf and still had a blast. There are plenty of challenging rides to do, of which the 16km (1100m vertical climb) Dead Horse Gap has to take the cake! An AIS swimming facility which makes swimming enjoyable (shock horror) and there are so many trails to run on that you can never get bored.

 

With that little burst of training out of the way it was time for the first race of the season. I had my new bike (Dedacciai Temarario with Marchisio T800 wheels) all ready to go so I was pretty excited to say the least. The NSW Pro Tour, Nowra had a smaller than usual start list due to the first Pro series race in Devonport, but sadly the pace was still pretty quick.

 

There were a few moments in the swim where I was really struggling to hang onto the main pack but for the first time this season I managed to tough it out and get onto the bike with the first pack. The bike was pretty rudimentary, there were around 8 of us and we swapped off really well the whole way, there was a fair bit of rough road which wasn’t so much fun to negotiate in a bunch.

 

The run was a struggle. I was lacking in run training and hadn’t run off the bike in close to 2 months, but having got myself into a good position I didn’t want to through it away with a bag of excuses. Out of transition the pace was frantic and I came out 7^th or 8^th and had to push to stay in touch with the rest of the guys. The pace seemed to change a fair bit throughout the race but I tried to maintain concentration and just run consistently throughout. This seemed to work as I managed to start reeling a few of the guys in. I managed to get myself into second place before I started to struggle and was run down with about 1.5k to go. I tried to hang onto 2^nd place but I just didn’t have the legs and eventually finished a satisfying third.

 

This weekend is the Canberra Olympic Distance Tri, and then there’ll be a small break before the next instalment of the NSW Pro Tour.

 

I hope everyone is making the most of the (somewhat limited) summer months!

Well the gamble to go race the Taiwan 70.3 on just a few weeks of training payed off. I managed to pull off my highest ever placing in a 70.3 Ironman event crossing the line in 2nd!

It didn't come easy. The course was very honest with strong winds making each leg of the race challenging. The water was choppy for the swim and a cross current made it more difficult. Fellow kiwi Kieran Doe lead the swim out. I exited the water with a small bunch about 2 minutes back. The bunch included the race favourite, Marcel Zamora of Spain, who has an incredible 5 Nice Ironman titles! So I was in good company but six other athletes were up the road with Kieran leading the charge on the bike.



I was feeling good on the bike today. I was able to drop Zamora after 10km and by 30km I had caught everyone up the road except Kieran. By the end of the bike I was a minute on down, and started the run with the eventual winner of the race Jonathan Hotchkiss of Great Britain.

He quickly established a small lead over me but I was holding him at about 30 seconds. We run past Kieran after about 5km.Half way through the run I put in a sustained effort to try and bridge the gap to the top spot but I couldn't get across. My attentions then had to shift to the fast running Zamora coming from behind. With less than a kilometer to go he caught me and run straight past, which is never a pleasant experience at the end of a half ironman. I quickly tucked in behind him and decided to hang on for as long as possible.



I thought the finish line was just around the next corner and wanted to hit him before he hit me, so I put in a big surge to establish a gap and then try hang on. I think this caught him by suprise and around the corner I went with a small lead. But the finish line wasn't as close as I hoped - still over 100m away! I felt my body die and sensed Zamora running back on to my shoulder. If he run passed me now I was history, so I dug deep once more and found a second serge I didn't think I had in me. Looked back ,10 meter gap - stoked!! 2nd place in the bag. I collapsed in a heap across the finish line!


This result has capped off a satisfying international year for me. I placed top five in all four of the 70.3 Ironman's I have raced. I now have all the placings in these events from 5th to 2nd - so just one more to go! The top spot!

That will have to wait for next year though. The New Zealand season is next. I am planning to race Tinman Triathlon, Taupo Half Ironman, Lake Hayes Triathlon, Tauranga Half Ironman, and Ironman New Zealand. Epic summer of racing - can't wait!

Big thanks to my loyal sponsors who have helped me out this year.

Hammer Nutrition - Big thanks to the US team for taking care of me in north america. And to Rachael Button in New Zealand for always keeping stoked up with the essential nutrition needs back home.

Biosport - Greg and the team have been so supportive. Your Pilates sessions rock - looking forward to Wednesday's session (sort of?!)

Blueseventy - Wetsuit swim today - I always feel more confident of a good result once I have the Helix on. Your new race suits are perfect for long distance racing. Cheers team.

Another big thanks to my understanding employers at Woods. Thanks for providing the flexibility needed to pursue my triathlon ambitions.


Back to NZ tomorrow. Hope everyone is well.

Talk soon. Jamie.

What a day. Very hard race but a great experience.

Things got off to a great start swimming a sub 50mins and making the chase pack including the big hitters from Europe, who eventually dominated the day. I felt good through the first 80km on the bike. Once we hit RichterPass the European boys launched a pretty solid attack that split our group up. I was able to hang in with them and go across the top of the 30miunte climb. So things were going well, I was where I needed to be has we hit the hard and windy out and back section of the course.

Then bad luck hit at the 105km point on the bike. My rear wheel struck a stone that immediately broke a spoke. I rode the next 15km with the wheel was rubbing on the brake pads as I tried to find technical support and lost contact with the group. I was able to get a new wheel from tech support at 120kms (an average training wheel!). The last 60km was pretty ugly, riding a lot of it solo and couldn't hang in with the strong riders coming though from behind - the big effort up Richter pass was taking its toll - good lesson learnt there!

I was able to string together a solid run - just over 3 hours which meant I finished under 9 hours in 8:57:45 and placed 13th. So very happy to go under 9 hours in my first Ironman which had always been a goal. A little bit disappointed with my placing, but wasn't helped by the bad luck I had on the bike. That's racing though.

So the North American season has come to an end for 2010. I was happy with how the 70.3 racing was going with a 5th and two 4th placing. It has been a lot of fun racing on the 70.3 circuit again and I am looking forward to returning and racing more of them next year under the new ranking system. Obviously a bit of work to do over the Ironman distance, but it was great to get one under the belt and learn from the experience.

Big thanks to my girlfriend Fiona, who made the journey from New Zealand to watch my first Ironman. Your support was awesome today.

And a big thanks to you all for your support over the last few months. Much appreciated.

Looking forward to catching up with my Kiwi friends back in New Zealand soon.

Be well,

Jamie.

Hi all,

Well I have completed the last half Ironman of my north american season with a another top 5 result in the Calgary 70.3 Ironman this morning. So I couldn't quite repeat my top 3 placing from here last year, but still happy with my third top 5 finish of the season.

The conditions were tough for racing with heavy rain over night that continued during the early stages of the race.

The swim went well this morning, exiting the water in the chase pack not too far back from the front group. Then the pace really went on during the bike today. Fellow kiwi Keiran Doe was going solo off the front and everyone who was riding well was committed to chasing hard, which was great to see. This made for a very solid 90km bike leg.



To make the bike ride even more difficult, my gel flask bounced off my bike when crossing a bridge immediately after leaving T1 (I know...rookie error!!). So I rode the first 35 km without fuel and had to settle for a
sticky power bar from an aid station for fuel on the bike. I missed my Espresso Hammer Gel today!

I came off the bike in 7th, so again had to run well to move into the prize money positions. By half way through the run, I had moved up to 4th place and had my sights set on Australian Paul Mathews. I was always closing in on him but just couldn't get across the gap as he held on for 3rd.

Kiwi Kieran Doe performed one of his classic victories leading from start to finish, with American Brian Fleishmann in 2nd.

Once again I have had the pleasure of being looked after by a fabulous homestay. The Naphin's of Calgary have been great all week and have made me feel right alt home. And well done to my host, Mark, *6 foot 6",* Naphin for
completing the race in a good time today. Good effort big fella.

Back to Penticton tomorrow where I will train for the next four weeks in preparation for Ironman Canada on the 29th of August. Looking forward to the new challenge of my first Ironman.



Attached are a few pics from prize giving.

I trust all is well with everyone. Talk again soon.

Best regards,
Jamie Whyte.

Well my time based in Santa Cruz training has come to an end, as yesterday I took the 3 hour drive north to the Sonoma area where the Vineman70.3 Ironman will be held on Sunday morning.

When Fiona and I raced here in 2008, we met Bob and Cherie Collins, a lovely family that home stayed us back then. I am fortunate enough to be able to come back to stay in their new house they have built in the hills above Santa Rosa. The place is amazing with great views across the valley and looking down over the Vineman course. Bob Collins will also be racing in the 45-49 age group so a big good luck to the local legend!! 

Training has been going really well in Santa Cruz so I am looking forward to putting it to the test on Sunday. It has been 5 weeks since placing 5th at the Boise 70.3, so I am definitely feeling ready for another race!

The pro men’s field has a strong kiwi contingent with Graham O'grady and Kerion Doe racing. Former Kiwi (now based in America) James Cotter is also racing.

Thank you all for reading. I will be in touch with the race report soon.

Country: Australia

Athlete Year of Birth: 27/7/79

Athlete Place of Birth: temora

Athlete Sponsors: Giant Bikes, Asics, Professional Investment Services,Oakley, Mavic, Skins

Athlete Coach: Chris Lang

Triathlete Tribe: Brad first of all thanks for taking the time to do this interview. You had a great start to the year taking out the Mooloolaba ITU World Cup event. It must have been a great confidence booster winning the first major event of 2010?

Brad:Yes it was great to win Mooloolaba. It is always nice wining Mooloolaba World Cup. It is a great weekend of triathlon on a tough course and always nice to win on home soil.

Triathlete Tribe: You had a rock solid performance in Seoul where you finished 3^rd. Let us know your thoughts on the race?

Brad: Yes Seoul was a fast race. The field was quite strong. The bike was very technical which made for an exciting race. I just missed the jump by Courtney and Frodo out of transition, they set off at a very fast pace. Unfortunately I couldn’t run up to the two guys. I held on for 3^rd which was a solid performance.

Triathlete Tribe: You finished the 2009 season 7^h in the World overall. What were the highs and lows of this season and what are your goals for the 2010 season?

Brad: I had a good start to the season in 09. But unfortunately coming into transition in London after the bike I put my foot through a competitors rear wheel  and sliced it open. This set me back and I had to have surgery over in London. I had to have 3-4 weeks of no training before Gold Coast finale which wasn’t ideal. So it wasn’t the best end to my season.

Triathlete Tribe: What did it mean to you to take out the 2006 Commonwealth Game Gold in Melbourne? Is it a major goal of yours to repeat in Delhi this year?

Brad: To win in Melbourne was great. To have all the Aussies cheering you on along the course was great. Unfortunately they couldn’t find anywhere to swim in Delhi so there is no triathlon this time around.

Triathlete Tribe: Can you give us an idea of a typical training week for yourself in terms of swim, bike, and run (km’s)?

Brad: Roughly

Swim28k,bike 350k,run70-100k

Triathlete Tribe: Favourite Movie? Anchorman

Brad: Anchorman

Triathlete Tribe: Favourite Food?

Brad: Pancakes with icecream,Maple syrup

Triathlete Tribe: Brad, We wish you all the best this season.

Many thanks