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Hi everyone,

As 2011 draws to a end I am about to close the chapter on my Achilles injury and hopefully never open it again. It has been a tough year mentally, physically and emotionally. Trying to push my body through this achilles injury proved to be impossible, I never got the results I knew I was capable of and I ended up having to resort to surgery. It is times like these that you look deep within yourself to find out what you are really made of and what you want to achieve at the end of the day and for me, Triathlon is what I am truly passionate about and I know I can come back stronger than ever. The fire in my belly has been fed to maximum capacity and I am ready for 2012 to be a year that will not be forgotten. 

The past several weeks have been spent largely on the bike and I have given the cycling legs a couple good tests along the way. 3 weeks ago was the Nutri-Grain Taupo Half Ironman where I competed in the cycle leg for the team "Snap, Crackle and Pop" I was Crackle… I think. I pushed the bike pretty hard but ended up being 20 seconds slower than cycle legend Gordon McCauley (which was not bad even considering he was doing the whole race). Next stop was last weekend at the Waihi midsummer madness bike TT. This was a 130km Time Trial, starting in Waihi and looping around some of the Coromandel towns before finishing back in Waihi. I started last and after riding in the rain, on the rough New Zealand roads, with over 1500 vertical meters of climbing and the last 50kms into a head wind I had lapped the majority of the field to have the fastest time on the day of 3hrs 39minutes. 

For those of you who have not heard I have gradually progressed to running on the road. I am up to 40 minutes most days with no pain in my Achilles. I know I love running, but I never thought I would miss it this much. I cannot wait until I can get back into stomping out my long runs along the coast, but I will take the build up slowly and controlled and be back in shape and ready to give Cameron Brown a run for his money at the Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand in Taupo in March.

 

I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the New year.

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Hey Everyone,

 

On Sunday I raced the Revolution 3 Half distance triathlon race here in Quassy, Connecticut. While the rest of you had the day off, I was out busting my guts!! As you all know I have been struggling with an Achilles problem so this race was going to be a good test to see where my recovery was at and how it was going to hold out. WOW, I was pleasantly surprised but paying for it now!!!

 

Race morning was beautiful but air temperature was on the colder side of things, which made it hard to get going. The water was only just non-wetsuit legal at 69 degrees Fahrenheit so getting in was very nipply. The start gun went off at 6.50 and the pace was on from the start by Matt Reed (USA), thankfully I was able to jump on his feet and stay with him. Kenny (USA) then came through at a ‘Phelps’ crazy fast speed but we could not match it and he took off out the front. We then formed a small chase group for the remaining part of the 1.2 mile swim in Lake Quassapaug.

 

We then exited the water in a time of 24.04 minutes, into T1 we headed, this was a little crazy but made sure I had a lightning fast transition so I could stay with this bunch. So, out on to the bike with Reed, Cunningham, Starykowicz and Matthews. Far out it was cold, It took me about 20 miles to warm up on this crazy tough undulating bike course. At mile 40 I started to feel better and managed to form a breakaway with Joe Gambles, James Cunnama and Dan Hugo and we were in hot pursuit of Andrew Starykowicz who was 4 minutes ahead of us.

Arrived into T2 with Joe Gambles and Paul Matthews ready to chase down Cunnama and Starykowicz. Started the run at a safe pace as I didn’t know how my Achilles were going to hold out on this tough 13.1 mile run course. Felt really good half way through the run so I decided to push the pace and Gambles came with me. Around Mile 11, we caught Starykowicz but still no sign of Cunnama….bugger!! At mile 12 Gambles and I were still racing side by side so I decided that I needed to make my move now if I wanted any chance at grabbing 2nd. Finally made the break and now I was in the hunt for Cunnama who was 70 seconds in front. As I broke away from Gambles I was gaining on Cunnama and he was hurting. In the last mile and half I put 1 minute into him. All of a sudden a started to realise I may have a chance at the title but unfortunately it wasn’t my day, coming in 2nd by 8 seconds. Really happy with this result as things have been a little rocky with the Achilles but I think I’m back on track.

 

Congratulations to James Cunnama for taking out the win and Joe Gambles coming in 3rd and rounding out the podium.

 

Also on other Triathlon news: Congratulations to fellow Kiwi Nicky Samuels for taking out the Escape from Alcatraz title and Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack for winning Challenge Cairns.

 

Next race will be Eagleman 70.3 this weekend, where I’m hoping to defend my title.

 

Check out my video Race recap at www.terenzo..com

 

You can also see some of the footage from this weekend at the below links.

Pre race show-  http://vimeo.com/24649421 (skip to the second half to the video to go to the mens stuff if you like)

Transition - http://vimeo.com/24679171

Bike update - http://vimeo.com/24681287

Finish line - http://vimeo.com/24686043

Race recap - http://vimeo.com/24723325

 

Regards

Terenzo

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So this weekend was my first Half Ironman / 70.3 of the season, it also doubled up as the US national 70.3 championships, my first win of the 2010 season.  I was hoping for a similar result this year but was a little unsure as to where my form would be leading into the race as this year the race had been brought 2 weeks earlier.

 

The race this year was set to be another tough race, with most of the top athletes being present and the Americans who would be looking for a National title bringing their A game's.

Recovery this week after the Kemah Tri has been good. I have been in for a few massages, and Kelly has been making sure I am well looked after with food, washing, recovery and even cleaning my bike for me, so there are no excuses on my side!

The race kicked off at 7am on Sunday morning in the 72'F water and due to the new WTC wetsuit rule we were swimming in our wetsuits for the 1900m swim, (our new cut off temperature for non wetsuit swims has moved from 70'F to 76'F - not looking forward to racing in 75.5 degree water with a wetsuit on. a bit hot!). With over 50 guys on the start line there was a bit of pushing and pulling that first 500m, soon things settled down, but the pace still seemed to be hot. I got out of the water in just under 23minutes and in contention with the leaders. John Flanagan was way out in front, but the main guys like Marko Albert, Rasmus Henning and Timothy Odonnell were right there. So it was off onto the 90km Bike, this was going to be fun. Today the course was out and back, along the coast besides the Gulf of Mexico, dead flat but thanks to the 20mile per hour cross winds it made for a challenging bike. Soon the field started to split and our group got smaller, Chris Lieto caught up and road through us like he was on a normal Sunday bike, he would go on to gain a 3minute lead off the bike which would be enough for him to hold on for the win. The legs felt okay out there and we were hanging in. Michael Lovato and fellow Biestmilch athlete Ronnie Schildknecht caught up and the pace home was impressive, if I may say so myself.  Come to think about it, maybe a bit too impressive cause my legs started to suffer big time early in the run.

 

Off the bike we were 3 minutes down on Lieto, similar position to last year. I knew what I had to run and I knew I could afford to have patience in the early stages. Out of transition in 3rd place with Rasmus Henning hot on my heals. Soon I bridged up into 2nd. The body was starting to struggle, but I was hoping the rhythm would sink in and I would be able to  hold pace for the 21km run. Lap 1 of 4 was good, lap 2 was okay then it started to hit me,

Henning caught and passed and I had nothing to react with, Lap 3 was painful and lap 4 I lost hope of holding on for the podium when Odonnell passed me like I was running backwards. 

I ended up crossing the finish line in 4th Place behind 3 awesome athletes so all in all an okay day at the office. I would have loved more but I am happy with where things are at for 5 weeks out from IM New Zealand.

 

It has been a good week hanging out with the Biestmilch crew here in Galveston, the European boys like Ronnie and Sebastian Kienle have showed me there is room for improvement on the bike, might have to go up there later in the year and ride in the Alps with them!

Check out the quick video Kelly and I created - www.terenzo.com
 

Off to New Orleans tomorrow to get ready for the another half ironman next weekend, also my brother Dino is making the trip across so looking forward to seeing him.

Catch up next week

 

Regards

 

Terenzo

 

Youtube - www.youtube.com/user/terenzobozzone

 

Twitter - www.twitter.com/terenzo1

 

Facebook - www.facebook.com/terenzobozone

 

Website - www.terenzo.com

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Home! What a trip- been away for 13 days, 2 countries, 2 home stays, 2 races and minimal training between the two, so in a funny way I'm feeling a bit lazy!

 

Singapore 70.3 was yesterday. I pretty much lost all confidence last weekend so went into Singapore 70.3 with very very low expectations. I need to stop studying start lists and working myself into a frenzy with trying to guess the best possible placing I could get come race day. Top 10 was probably realistic but I'd have to give it all that was left in my tank.

 

The swim was in the ocean and there was quite a strong current we were (mainly) swimming against. A bit of a confusing 2 loop (one small one inside a big one) course, I lost the main pack quite quickly and was left swimming solo for the rest of the leg. Always such a good feeling when I get outta there! Onto the bike I actually found my legs quickly and wondered how long it would last for. I was quite happy with my bike leg as I know it was a hard, solid, solo effort. It's funny how short the 90km TT on the flat, fast course feels after doing the 200km in Abu Dhabi the weekend before. The run, however took me about 12kms to warm up into. I was a bit worried that the chasers were gaining on me. With about 6km to go I thought I was in about 7th place, 6th at best. At the 17km mark I passed Kirsten Molloy and put the hammer down. I couldn't believe it when Whit called me over the line as 5th place Pro female. Turns out Jodie Swallow had pulled out after the bike... and I had just assumed that she was that far in front that I couldn't even see her! (If she had of completed the course she would have embarrassed a few of the pro men!).

 

I am more than happy with this result. I was still in the money (even if it's not much, better than nothing!) and to pull out this race one week after feeling like I shouldn't even bother trying to do another triathlon makes the 5th place even more of an achievement.

Kudos to Michelle Wu who worked herself up into 3rd place during the run, her ability to push herself to her limit really came out on the course yesterday!

 

To my amazing home stay family, the Smiths. Susan- I’m missing your cooking sooooo much already, keep those recipes rolling in please. David- thanks for enduring slaps on the wrists for stealing extra papers with my article in it, my grandparents will be stoked! And Lauren- thanks for the photos, your enthusiasm, encouragement, entertainment with the hamster Kim Chi, taking me out training, showing me around the city, carrying all my crap and putting up with my pre-race nerves. Get onto the swim technique chick, good luck with the SAT's and you’re training/ racing. I'll be back to stay with you again soon :-) Another special thankyou to Donna for being taxi services, lady with the hook ups and for that memorable ride through Singapore city's morning traffic!

Home for a little bit now, next race is the end of April, but more on that closer to date.

Rachie xox

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HI guys,

So the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand was 3 weeks ago in Taupo. For those of you who did not hear about the event it was one cold, wet and rainy day.

Preperation leading into the event had gone great, I thought my body was in shape for a break through Ironman performance and of course, third time lucky. But it was not to be my year.

Here is a quick recap of my day, for a more detailed version check out the last couple videos on my website www.terenzo.com. Alternatively you can sign up to my you tube channel www.youtube.com/user/terenzobozzone or become a fan on twitter or facebook – www.twitter.com/terenzo1 or www.facebook.com/terenzobozzone

The rain did not let up all day, from arriving at the transition area at 5:30am to back down at the finish line close to midnight, it was a day for the record books.  The gun went off at 6:45 for the professionals and we were off on the 3.8km swim in Lake Taupo. I had a good start and managed to get into a solid rhythm. Unfortunately I lost the big gun Brent Fosters feet at the 400meter mark, but we managed to form a small group of three of us that worked well to only lose 1 minute to the swimming machine we refer to as Fossy.  Of course the big name for the event was Cameron Brown who was going for his 10^th Ironman New Zealand title, coming out of the water I had a good 3 minute lead on him.

This was not too last long, Matthais Hecht and I knew we had to pace ourselves but also wanted to keep moving forward through the 180km bike ride. I thought we were riding well and at minimum holding even with Brownie but to our surprise when we hit the first turn around at 45km he and a group of 3 had already made up the 3 minute deficit. Oh well, I backed myself for the run so I just tried to relax and get through the bike. Slowly the body was starting to fail on me, and by 130km Brownie showed his class by riding away from us what looked like effortlessly. Now I couldn’t wait to get out of the rain, I was chilled to the bone and was not enjoying riding through the pouring rain, I guess I should have toughened up on those rainy training days!!

Soon the end of the bike came around and I was off onto the marathon run in 4^th position with 5^th not far back. Running out of trainsition and seeing the thousands of spectators and volunteers standing and cheering in the rain was amazing and gave me encouragement to hang tough and get through the race. I slowly clawed my way up into second and that was going to be as good as it got… this time around.

Sam Warriner took out the womans race with Mirinda Carfrae and Jo Lawn taking 2^nd and 3^rd.

I had a nice 2 weeks off before getting back into training and trying to find a little speed to sharpen up for the Half Ironman season ahead.  First stop is the Kemah Olympic distance race in Galveston Texas followed by the 70.3 (half Ironman) US Championships also in Galveston which I am going into as defending champion, then on the 3^rd weekend the New Orleans 70.3.

I am pleased to announce Clif Bar, a sports nutrition company based in northern California to the team. I have used and believed in their product for the past couple years and it is great to have formed this partnership. I am looking forward to being a part of Team Clif Bar.

Kelly and I are both looking forward to getting on the road again as the weather here in NZ is starting to turn and winter is well on its way.

 Will touch base as the races progress

 

Regards

Terenzo Bozzone 

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Last Sunday saw the running of the inaugural Falls Creek Triathlon. This event would double as the Victorian Long Course Triathlon Championships. With Leon Griffin and Olympic Bronze medallist Jan Rehula taking the start line the pace was always going to be hot. After a two week period of complete rest over Christmas, I got back into training in early January. I had a good little hit-out at Elwood in early January at the Elwood Xosize triathlon placing 2^nd by seconds to the in-form Monty Frankish. I felt good leading into the race and was confident this was a course that would suite me.  

 

After a lack-lustre swim I exited the water with known cyclists Chris Bradford and Dave Meade. I set about keeping with these two as I knew they would ride a solid pace and minimise time lost to the leaders. Jan was off the front and Leon, Monty Frankish, Lyndsay Wall were riding together a minute or so down on him. The pace was solid and by the first turn around at 13km we had put some time into the leaders. I was working hard to stay with these boys, pushing the boundaries of my capabilities but still sitting at pace, which should be manageable. I lost concentration at the top of a steep climb after the turn around and Chris and Dave quickly gapped me and I was not sharp enough to recover this deficit. I didn’t worry too much about this at the time as I was keeping them in sight and only about 45seconds down at the end of the first lap. This proved to be a big mistake and I was quickly taught a lesson in racing as these two bridged the gap to the leaders and with all the strong riders now together they put a further five minutes into me over the next 50 +km.

 

I entered T2 in eighth position 6 minutes down on the first six and about two minutes down early swim leader Ben Allen. I knew I was in good running form, and knowing how tough the course would be I still expected to work my way through the field. I posted the second quickest run split with a toilet stop but was only able to catch Allen and Bradford. I finished the race in sixth position only a minute down on fourth and six minutes down on the leader. I walked away from this race a little disappointed but will learn a lot from this result and carry these lessons into my next race, the Torquay TriMan.    

 The Triathlon Tribe is pleased to announce that we will soon be launching our first athlete sponsorship program. We are very happy that we are now in the position to develop such programs and are positive that, in our own way, we are doing our part towards the development of this great sport.