ARRRRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!

That's how I feel right now. Ironman UK yesterday and I finished 5th. Not a bad result and I'm pleased, however.......

It should of been 3rd I think probably 2nd (I know it's easy to say after the event but read on) . With 10mile to go of the bike after the last of the second laps I came to the turn for the 10mile back to Transition 2. I saw the sign saying "2laps right turn just ahead" I keep my eyes open, I see the next right turn (no sign or marshall) I ask the marshall on the other side of the road "is it this right turn?" I even say "I've done 2 laps" he says "no go straight on" so on I go looking for the right turn, I go all the way to the next T junction where I have a shout( I was angry) asking where this right was they say 2.5km back up the way I came(up hill). I was so angry. I get back to the original turning and carry on .

I'd lost 3 or 4 places and looking at the results 7mins to the guy I was just behind(he was out of site for this turning)

I got back to transition still angry but prepared to run hard.

I caught a few guys and got up to 5th but was 4mins down on 4th, 5mins down on 3rd and 8mins on 2nd!!!! If I had been in touch on the run I feel sure I could of got 2nd!

So frustrating but I know it's in the past now and I have to concentrate on the next race. Which is Ironman Florida in November.

Sorry to rant on, but when you put in so much effort in training and in the race and your performance is effected by the organisation, well lets just say I'm pissed off!!!

Ok i'ts def behind me now. On to the next challenge.

Also well done to anyone reading this who completed IMUK, tough course, be proud of yourselves!

13th at World Long Dist Champs.

Arrived in Denmark and was greeted by 2 days of near constant rain so was expecting to get cold and wet during the race on Sunday. Luckily it turned out to be a clear sunny day, not too warm to start of with, with cold water in the swim and cold air on the beginning of the bike, but bearable.

A quick run down on how the race unfolded for me:

Swim:
I managed to line up at the front dead in line to the first buoy(shortest route!) and got a good start though there was quite a few guys around me and so I jumped on some feet, I saw a few guys were getting a gap but I was happy to stay where I was and as we got out for a run up the beach at half way I could see they only had a small gap so I was happy to save some energy and stay where I was. exiting the water the lead group of 3 had 1min on our group of 5.

Quick dash through transition (once again 3rd fastest in T1, fastest in T2).

Bike:
On the bike and felt good, the course was windy but I was happy to be in my new Rudy aero hat and glasses and on my aero Quintana Roo. So I kept a decent pace and we caught a few of the guys ahead and a few from behind caught us and this group stayed together which was fine until we came round for the end of the first 40k lap and the first age group athletes were coming out of the swim onto there 1st bike lap, this caused a few problems with drafting and there were a few penalties given out. I kept my distance and stayed out of trouble.

Coming of the bike we were 5mins down on Sindballe(reigning world champ) but I had already been told that he wasn't gonna run because of a knee injury, and so every one that mattered came off the bike together and I was right there feeling good and looking to have a good run.

I started well and moved into 7th on the first run lap (4 in total) unfortunately it wasn't my day on the run and I slipped down and missed 10th by 1min (GUTTING, argh, couldn't I off just pushed a little harder!!)

So I finished 13th.

The top 3 guys all came off the bike with or just behind me but they ran 10mins quicker!

This result is still another massive improvement on last year and with more hard work I gradually get quicker.

I haven't had the World rankings confirmed yet but It looks as though I will be the no:1 ranked long distance athlete in the World for 2005.

2 weeks to UK Ironman, couple more big names have entered so it'll be another tough race, hopefully I can pick up some much needed cash!