“In nearly every race I do, I’m solidly middle of the field — and I’m honestly so fine about that. When I remind myself where I’ve come from, I remember that it’s such a privilege just to take part and finish these events.”
Leon’s race at the Ultimate Triathlon wasn’t about chasing podiums or PBs – it was about showing up with purpose, adapting when things went sideways, and finishing with perspective. It’s a race worth sharing – not just because of how it went, but because of what it teaches.
Here’s his day – and what we can all learn from it.
A Quiet Confidence
“The build-up was pretty standard. I was a little nervous (I always am before a big race). But carb loading went well — 500g on Friday and 800g on Saturday.”
Leon was up at 3am on race morning. Not ideal, he admits, but manageable for a one-hour drive. He arrived early enough to rack his bike and sort his kit without stress. A familiar face in transition helped too:
“It was nice to meet Carmel and her husband in transition. We were only 8 bikes apart. We’d been texting the night before and I said to her: ‘If you race the bike, you’ll walk the run.’”
There’s a bittersweet tone there. That advice would echo later.
Swim – 1:10:49
“I feel at home in the water. Wetsuit, goggles, cap — all felt good. And on the back of the swim training I’d done for Windermere, I thought: ‘Here’s my time to shine!’”
A four-lap swim course with confusing instructions didn’t throw Leon off. He spotted some fast feet and followed for two laps:
“It felt like I was flying. I thought I was on for a sub-1:05. But at halfway I checked the watch – 34 minutes. Ah. Not as fast as I thought.”
He swam the second half solo, holding form and staying calm. His final time: 1:10:49.
“I didn’t know it at the time, but I was actually the third athlete out of the water. I’m quite pleased about that!”
Coach’s Take: This is a great example of racing with clarity. He didn’t panic when expectations didn’t match reality. He adapted, swam his own race, and stayed in control.
T1 – 5:13
“Fairly smooth – just a bit of difficulty getting my socks on.”
Sometimes it’s the little things.
Bike – 6:25:00
“The plan was to go sub-7. Keep my average speed under 27.5 kph. That would leave me something for the run.”
Lap 1 felt effortless. He alternated 5k in the aero bars, 5k on the drops. Averaged 28.8 kph. Then he made a decision:
“I foolishly said to myself, ‘You have to make hay while the sun shines.’ So I abandoned the plan and just went with feel.”
Lap 2 was even faster — 29.6 kph. But cracks showed on Lap 4:
“My legs weren’t as fresh. I started to cramp a bit. The hills weren’t massive, but they were taking more effort than they had earlier.”
Still, he stayed composed and finished the bike in 6:25:00.
Coach’s Take: There’s honesty here, and a lesson many of us learn the hard way. The bike plan was smart. The temptation to override it is real – especially when you’re feeling strong early on. But it always has a price. Credit to Leon for recognising it mid-race and adjusting his expectations for the run.
T2 – 7:26
“I like a fresh pair of socks – and for me, the added time in transition is worth it. I also used the portaloo again.”
Pro tip: never underestimate the psychological lift of dry socks.
Run – 5:18:19
“I knew from the outset the run was going to be a struggle. It was hot and humid and my legs didn’t feel great. I wouldn’t say I’d cooked them, but I was annoyed with myself for not sticking to the plan.”
His goal had been a 4:30 marathon. But reality hit early. He adjusted:
“I thought sub-5 should still be possible, so I just tried to keep my 1k splits under 7 minutes.”
About 5k in, he saw Carmel again:
“She looked amazing! Strong, focused, serious. In contrast, I was feeling pretty rubbish.”
He set a new rule: run between aid stations, walk only through them.
“No matter how rubbish I felt, I would not let myself walk at any point between the aid stations. It seemed doable. I found a rhythm and stuck with it.”
As he began the final lap, the tannoy announced that Carmel was third female. A jolt of energy:
“That spurred me on. I felt so pleased for her.”
Final Time – 13:06:47
16th of 32 male finishers. 7th of 10 in age group.
What Went Well
“I feel like I’ve absolutely nailed my nutrition. I’ve almost put as much work into refining it as I have the three disciplines – and it pays dividends every time. I never bonk, never have GI problems, I recover quickly, and have minimal niggles.”
That’s no accident – it’s smart, consistent work. And it shows.
What Could Have Gone Better
“Paced the bike! I can’t believe I told Carmel to take it easy so she’d have something left for the run — and then didn’t follow my own advice. What an idiot. Oh well… you live and learn.”
Coach’s Take: That’s not idiocy – it’s a classic race-day trap. And the way Leon owns it tells you everything you need to know about his mindset. No ego, no excuses, just learning.
A Race Worth Sharing
“Overall it was a really great day. The water was smooth. The traffic was friendly. The support was great. There was a really nice atmosphere around the whole event. I haven’t made my mind up yet, but I might even give it another go next year.”
We hope he does.
Because in this sport, effort matters. Reflection matters. And finishing with humility and gratitude – no matter the time – matters most of all.
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