This is a brief on how I felt my race (craig johns) went. I will be posting a full race report shortly.
I'm now into the busy race part of the season. After a solid race in Bali one week before I headed to Sun Moon Lake with some confidence of defending my title. Its a challenge to keep fitness levels up while recovering for another race. I felt pretty relaxed and started to feel fresh the day before the race.
I traveled down two days before the race so I could spend the day before the race out of the heat an also to watch my friends and see what up & coming triathletes were racing in the Sprint Triathlon.
The Friday afternoon I had a media conference with all major Taiwan newspapers represented. The majority of the questions were directed towards a "supposed" rivalry with a good friend and team mate Wei Jin Jun (Tom 魏振展). I was surprised their was no questions regarding Yang Mao Yong, who has dueled it out with me more often than anyone else and who also won the Kenting 113km event in March. Tom has showed good form this year winning the Taiwan University title, Hualien Cup and finishing 4th in the Asian Under 23 Champs. 
As the defending champion I was honored with my (last years) winning photo being used on over 400 large banners, every envelope, race booklet, lunch pass, dinner pass, entry form and competitor pass. Its quiet weird seeing your face every where you turn. 
On race morning I felt very relaxed and confident that I could defend my title. The weather was quite warm, with very little humidity, which suited me. My headache had disappeared (slipped in my cycling gear at the top of the stairs in my hotel and went head first with helmet on into the wall the day before the race) from saturday's scare
When the gun started I took a cautious entry into the water due to the muddy, rocky and slippery surface.I started swimming okay, but couldn't settle into my normal smooth rhythm, I started to struggle a bit so backed off the pace, which allowed a few swimmers to get away, as I knew this tough course would have an attrition rate and I needed to be strong later in the race when it counted. I came out of the water in the unusual position of 6th. I wasn't to worried as I was 90seconds down on the lead last year and had no trouble storming through for an easy win. I was hyperventilating a bit during the very long (500m) transition to our bikes which concerned me a little. Yang Mao Yong was 30 seconds in front and very surprisingly Wei Jin Jun was 2 seconds behind me. Hsieh had a 1min20second lead starting the bike.
I had a swift transition and moved into 4th position at the start of the bike. My legs felt very heavy and didn't have the usual power that would have said good bye to those around me. Yang Mao Yong looked very comfortable and even rode away from me on the early climbs. 25km into the cycle I joined Yang Mao Yong and Hsieh in the lead. We worked together to keep Wei Jin Jun at bay. I started to feel a bit stronger with 5km to go and made a small break to lead Yang Mao Yong into transition by 10seconds.
Onto the run and I led for the first 1km, when Yang Mao Yong came past me. I stayed with him for a while but he had to much strength on the uphills. We were pulling away from the field and had the first to spots on the podium sewn up. Yang Mao Yong put 1minute on me over the first 5km and finished with a 2min30second advantage crossing the line. Yang Mao Yong deserved the win. He told me earlier in the year he would focus on this race and he put alot of time working on his cycling. I was encouraged by my run as It was 2min30seconds quicker than I had previously run this season.
For race results, photos and Media go to www.taiwanracing.com
I love winning, but was beaten by a better athlete on the day, so happy with second place. Racing in Bali one week earlier had taken its toll and I have done less than 50% of my normal training volume this year. Each race I am making progress and as my fitness builds and my speed develops I will be a force towards the end of the race season.
I have two weeks to recover, work on some fitness and get myself ready for the Kaoshiung Triathlon on the 14th of July.
Till the next race....
