Thailand World Series- Mekong River

Ok, tough day at the office and to be honest not feeling too well at the moment.

During the first 10km run the lead pack was gradually reduced to 4 runners (one Brit- former runner Dave Mitchinson, the Russian Yakovlev (4th 2008 World Champs), plus James Attard and myself). Onto the bike and James had the misfortune of a puncture so lost the pack as he organised a wheel swap. 3k into the bike, Mitchinson was struggling so we offloaded him and then the Russian and I proceeded to build up a 2.15 lead on James and 4 minutes over the main chase group of 8 riders over the 40k bike.

At this point my thinking was 1st or 2nd and a great start to the year.............Yakovlev isn't a great rider and although his 10k PB is 29.07 I felt that perhaps the bike would have hurt him and I could have a crack.

Unfortunately, within the first 500m of the second run I started to feel very sick/faint and not too flash at all. I was in the grips of heat exhaustion and the body was really in trouble. All I could do was try to run in what little shade was out there on the course, turn one leg over the other and try to take on fluids at every aid station. I did make the finish in 5th place and now I am trying to minimise the damage as much as possible by rehydrating and getting food in.

Not the start to the year I was looking for and not really feeling too flash

Hopefully better tomorrow

Cheers
Radar

LEFT

The Duathlon Ashes

Australia vs Britain

A win for the Aussies but the Brits got one back on the drinking table!

Ray Boyd- The return of the Wombat

One of my great idols is WA's finest distance runner, Ray Boyd. To put it simply- he is tough, he is giving, he is down to earth and he is humble. One of the best men you could meet.

A 2.13 Marathon Runner, Australian Rep, 57 * WA Champion, 16*Bridges 10k winner and 11* City to Surf Winner. Now a husband, father of two, school principal and distance coach, he is embarking on a comeback at 43 years of age.

The last 6 weeks he has been attending training with the Front Runner Squad with vigour and commitment. The motivation is clear to see and the legs are gaining some of the old speed. I get the sense that something big is brewing and that the journey is going to be a lesson worth following for anyone interested in Distance running or watching someone chase a dream.
I encourage you to follow the return of the one and only Boydy at www.thewombatwarrior.blogspot.com

This great man is also taking on a coaching role with Front Runner Sports and that is something fantastic for the future of our organisation and the athletes involved

Regards
Radar

Men in Black Launch 2009

A brief video has been put together to launch the Mulhouse Division 1 Duathon Team for 2009. The team was based for many years around the 8 time World Champion Benny Vansteelant who passed away 18 months ago. The story in French and video are here:

http://mulhouse-triathlon.onlinetri.com/index.php?lang=fr

The Multi-Sport Community

The last week I have had the privelage to be part of a few great community events.

Last Thursday, we had a Quiz Night to raise money for one of our "Front Runners", Louise Mofflin, who had a bike crash late last year and suffered a spinal injury resulting in paraplegia. The night was just sensational and the support for this fantastic lady was overwhelming. In total approx $8000 was raised for her to purchase a racing chair.

Tonight, I have just returned from a function to send off our West Austraian School Sport Triathlon Teams. It was an enthusiastic group, full of potential and all ready to embark on the journey of testing themselves at the National Championships. I wish them all the best and look forward to monitoring their results and seeing them progress into better and stronger athletes in the years ahead.

We are now only 10 days from the first World Series Duathon of the year in Thailand. The 3 triathlons I have done have me feeling more race fit than at this stage of any previous campaigns and I am very excited about the season ahead.

Regards

Radar

2009 Front Runner City to Surf Courses Confirmed

Due to the overwhelming success and sell out of our 2008 City to Surf Training Courses, Front Runner Sports are pleased to announce that in 2009 we will be offering the following training courses:

• Personalised 4 month Marathon Training with Mr Ray Boyd (level 1 Distance Coach, 11* City to Surf Champion and WA 5000m, 10000m, Half and Full Marathon Record Holder)
• 8 week South of the River Training Course for 12k and 1/2 Marathon
• 8 week North of the River Training Course for 12k and 1/2 Marathon

Updates are being uploaded under "Latest Offers" on http://www.sebsports.com.au/

Please email info@sebsports.com.au or rafbaugh@hotmail.com with any queries.

Running Regards

Raf

BROADBUILT take BRW Triathlon

Today was a perfect day and setting for the BRW Corporate Tri at Langley Park.

I was racing for the Broadbuilt Team with Jason Nuttman and Brynt McSwain, two of the top Triathletes in Perth. In total, Broad had 6 teams racing and there was a great atmosphere amongst the entire group. Thanks to Kelly, Kari and everyone at Broad for organising everything and putting on such a great show!

For Broadbuilt, we had a great overall victory on the day and both Jason and Brynt are now if very good shape for next week's Australian Age Group Nationals at the same venue.

Personally, it was my first time in racing flats since returning from injury late last year and it is amazing how a pair of light DS Racers make me want to run fast. With three weeks before the first World Cup of the year in Thailand everything is coming together well.

More photos of the team will be up shortly but below is a picture of what Sebastian thought of it all today.......................

Regards

Albany Triathlon

Well this race didn't quite turn out as I had hoped.....but it was a great location, big turnout and great event and I was glad we headed down for this historic WA Triathlon sponsored by the Laminex Group and run by the Albany Tri Club.

The swim (unfortunately compulsary in Triathlon) and some tired legs from heavy training meant I had to settle for third place and being beaten by better athletes on the day. Results should be up soon at www.albanytriclub.com.au

Regards
Radar