Last weekend I had all these dreams of making up for the DNF in Lanzarote with a podium finish at Boise 70.3. Boise is my home away from home, it was like a local race and the week leading up to it had as much excitement for me as racing in Western Australia.

But the body had different ideas and I had to be realistic, the last month had not really seen much consistency in training as I had been enjoying traveling the world with mum, dad, Peter and Chris. But there was no denying I was going to get a good hard work out!

It was great to finally meet one of my amazing sponsors Brian Roddy from Rolf Prima. I am one lucky triathlete having an awesome set of racing and training wheels thanks to them. Now, I am also super excited about a race they are putting on in Eugene, Tri at the Grove. An Olympic Distance race and a road trip for me the weekend of the 24th July, can’t wait!

I also spent time with Kurt from Computrainer and signed autographs on the Friday afternoon. It was all very exciting plus gave me a chance to get some great tips from athletes who had competed in Boise before.

Race day was a 12 noon start which made the morning very relaxing. I actually didn’t mind it and before long it was time for the Pro start. As much as I tried to get used to the freezing water (coming form an Aussie summer!) I just couldn’t! I did a sort warm up and felt ready to go, but with the hard sprinting at the start I began to go numb around my mouth and it felt like it was spreading to my throat, I couldn’t breathe! I thought my race was over and rolled onto my back for some backstroke which allowed me to get a lot more oxygen in. After about 900-1km I began to feel normal again but thought my race was probably over. But a number of girls had experienced the same as me and I still found myself out of the water in 6th place!

Busted…..We got caught…!! Before the swim start…trying to keep warm!!

The rest of the day unfortunately did not get any better, although I felt great the first lap of the run only to get the worst stitch I have ever had at mile 10 which resulted in a walk run routine to get me to the finish line. It had been a long time between half ironmans but a great reality check and kick start to the summer.

Guy and I have come here to get fit and strong combined with some consistent racing over the next few months so it was good to take advantage of a backyard race albeit a little underdone.

Recovery was quick an involved plenty of Mexican and morning naps. We are now into a good routine and yesterdays session was a highlight with a ride up Bogus Basin (25km straight up!) to between 6500-7000 feet were we parked the bikes and ran on the trails.

Can you see me….far left corner…a panoramic view of the top of Bogus Basin!

To our surprise there was still some snow around which made some sections of the trails very slushy and slippery. But lots of fun!

Eat, sleep, train, the routine has begun, there is another race just around the corner and I will be ready to go!!

Happy Birthday Robbie! Can’t wait to see you soon!!

Guy and I have now been in Boise for about 1 1/2 weeks and have settled ourselves into a good routine. The first week here we played the role of tourists with mum, dad, Peter and Chris as we traveled the country side and enjoyed the little time left with the family. If you have ever read, heard or spoken to anyone who has traveled with us you would have heard it is like traveling with the “Griswalds!” and this trip was definitely no different. Needless to say there was plenty of laughs and good times to be had and nothing that could not be fixed with a nice glass (or should I say bottle!!) of red wine!

It was the first time I had seen coach “Jeff” since my Ironman victory in Western Australia last year so it was a bit of a belated celebration! Plus I also had a chance to meet the addition to there family – Winston!!

It was then off to McCall for a few nights with the clan! It was freezing when we got there, with snow still on the ground in some of the places we were running. A huge contrast to the heat we had just experienced in Barcelona. But still fun!

The Pancake House is famous for obviously it’s pancakes but more so the biggest Cinnamon Bun you have ever seen! Rumour has it that one person can not eat it on there own, but they had not come across Guy Crawford before!!

The next it was gone...!

It was then back to Boise for a few nights before Peter and Chris left for there trip to Vegas and mum and dad a couple of days later for Perth. I miss them already but these are the sacrifices you have to make.

It was an amazing couple of weeks after Lanzarote and just what I needed considering the day was not what I was hoping for. I have done a little bit of training but now we are here and all organised the fun begins! This weekend is Boise 70.3 an event I have watched for the last 2 years but never competed in, so why not!! It is going to be the start of my U.S. summer season and give me a chance to see where I am out after the last month of ups and downs.

With a Saturday 12pm start and freezing water temperatures it is going to be interesting to say the least. But I am super excited about racing again. It has been a long time since I have raced a Half Ironman and although my legs are full of Ironman training I am hoping they will be able to bring a bit of “kick” to the party!!

My new K-Swiss gear is awesome and ready for it’s debut on the weekend! But before then time to catch up with some amazing sponsors (ROLF, Computrainer, Blue Seventy, GU) at the expo and get excited!!