Countdown to Kona

Our next installment in Macca's "Countdown to Kona" features his thoughts on the competition and how his strategy will be different this year as a defending champion vs. previous years spent chasing the title.


Who do you feel your biggest competitors are and how has your preparation strategy been targeted to take on those challenges?
 
The Europeans are extremely strong at endurance racing. They will be very strong, especially the Germans and the Belgiums. They have huge teams here and tend to focus a season around success here. I think the spanish guys, especially Eneko Llanos could pose a problem and if conditions are not brutal, then Australian Craig Alexander could be a big chance. If it is really windy and hot then he does not have the strength to do much but on a nice day he is definately fast. We all know eachothers strength and weaknesses and they all know that I really am the most rounded of the athletes here. I have had an exceptional season and my three disciplines are very strong. My preparation has been sound this year but the key to success in this event is about being brave and being prepared to take your chance with no care about the consequences. Their have only been 5 multiple winners in the 30 year history of this race, because the brutality of the event and the risks you take on a physical and mental level to win this race are so high. My history at this event is sound, the athletes know I have the artillary to win this event, it is a matter of execution now. For me I will see what the conditions present and take my chances on those lava fields. I want another title, that’s for sure and if anyone wants this title they need to take it from me.

How will your race strategy be different this year than last year?
 
I have a very solid marathon and I am sure everyone knows that they do  not want to get into a running war with me in this event. The Europeans have really worked on the bike and the pace this year will be very fast. I have really stepped up a level on my bike ride  so this year I definately have many more strings to my bow. A race day strategy evolves in this race because the Trade winds can blow in excess of 35 miles an hour which can make this race on the bike absolutely hell on earth. You need to find out what you are being presented with on the day when you get out in those lava fields and make decsisions on your strategy then. Attacking the bike when the winds are so strong can be bad move. You have 112 miles of cycling after a 2.4 mile swim and you have to run a marathon at the end of all that. Hawaii like no other event on earth also adds the elements of weather in such a brutal way. There is nothing like this race on earth. You have to see it to believe it. it is brutal. Strategies are planned but evolve as the race unfolds. I know one thing, it will be very fast early in the swim and bike and then the attacks will come. I am ready for this and love this very much.


Next time, Macca talks about the final days of preparation before raceday.