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Source: Chris Lieto
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I am so grateful for being able to make it to the World Championships again this year. After a tough year last year and a couple bumps in the middle of this year I was unsure if I would even be able to make it to the big day. I made it and put on a good race finishing 2nd American and 18th against the best in the World. I am very pleased with the way I raced and the fact that I competed and won Ironman Canada just over a month prior.

I headed off to Kona 6 days prior to the event and was able to prepare on the course to get ready. I had the support of my family there with me to make the week before and after a relaxing and enjoyable time with my family. I find it soothing and a great preparation for race day to spend time with the family and not focusing all my time on the race. To have that balance actually prepares me more for the big day.

The day came and it looked like it was going to be great conditions. The winds were calmer than normal all day and sun chose to stay out, beating on us all day long. Everyday pre and post race day the clouds rolled in around noon (perfect timing for the run) except for race day.

Before I knew it I was in the water at the start line waiting for the cannon to go off. Everyone was anxious and ready to go. People were jockeying for position and pushing and shoving was going on. We all wanted to be in the front of the start line so we could get clear water at the start of the race. I new my swimming was much better than it was at Ironman Canada so I wanted to be in the front. I was swimming with the Terrapins swim team in the weeks leading up to this race and I was ready to go. The cannon went off and we all were fighting for the front position. I was able to position my self in a good place just a couple back from the front and I just held it there the whole day. I had a couple guys that were a little impatient and tried to push me away, but I held my ground and had a great swim coming out of the water with the elite 15 or so leaders. There were 4 guys that got away early and got out ahead of the water ahead of us by maybe 2 minutes. I had my timing chip ripped off my ankle during the swim so I had some delay in the transition to the bike getting a new chip and putting it on.

Soon I was out of transition and on the bike. I worked my way through the first 10 miles of the course which winds you through downtown and back again. By the time we made it out of town I was in the front of the main group driving towards the leaders. I was on my own and left the group behind. Torbjorn Sindballe chose to come with me as we tried to real in the only guy in front Faris Al-Sultan. We were just 2 � minutes behind Faris and driving hard to catch him. After a while Torbjorn passed me as I stayed about 30-60 seconds behind him for the next 20-30 miles. Norman Stadler, last years World Champion and one of the sports top cyclist, caught up and we rode together just behind Sindballe all the way up to Hawi(the half way point of the ride). Coming down from Hawi we were charging down the hill, but couldn�t keep up with Sindballe on the descent as he drifted out of sight. Soon after Norman suffered a front flat tire and I was on my own to set the pace. I rode the best I could that day feeling some of the damage from Canada still left in my legs. I was able to hold my position and fight off the charging group from behind containing past Champions and top contenders including Peter Reid, Tim Deboom, Cameron Brown, Cam Widoff, as well as a handful of others. With less than 20 miles left to go the heat was setting in as well s the fatigue. Peter Reid caught me and we rode the rest of the way together heading into T-2 just a few minutes behind Sindballe and Al-Sultan. Peter beat me out of transition as I had to take care of some business before I headed out on the run.

The first few miles the blistering heat was getting to me and it felt like it was almost too much to handle. I was able to run the first 10 miles well keeping my pace comfortable at a 2:54 Ironman pace. I was right on track heading out of town to the Queen K. Running on the highway is always hot and desolate with few spectators to keep you motivated and lots of Lava all around you. The heat amplifying off the lava fields and running into a head wind as I made my way to the Energy lab made the run even more difficult. I was starting to feel the pain as my legs started to give out. All of a sudden like a light switch my legs were trying to tell me they were done. Canada a little over a month ago and now this! Doing an Ironman takes a lot out of you and your muscles. Sometimes you feel recovered and ready to race again, but sometimes you don�t find out until it is too late. With 10 miles to go I found out that my legs were not ready to run another marathon. I tried my best to stay focused and get to the finish line as quick as I could. My fitness was fine and I was doing ok, but my legs would not cooperate.

I was able to get to the finish in 8 hours and 41 minutes good enough for 18th and 2nd American. I am pleased with the performance and learned a lot for next year. I know now I am ready to contend for the top prize being so close this year and not being 100%.

My wife Karis and Son Kaiden were there to meet me at the finish line and that was the best prize for me on that day. I was so happy to see them and always grateful for there support.

Few days after the race we were off to Maui for a vacation and one last race, the Xterra World Championships. I was able to play with my son all day in the water and waves and relaxed by the pool with my wife. What a perfect way to end the year. Xterra race a week later and I was able to pull off a 3rd in the Ironman/ Xterra double competition after a couple crashes and walking a lot of that very difficult run course.

See you all next year and enjoy the holidays and off season with your families.

Sincerely,
Chris Lieto

Chris Lieto
Husband, Father, Professional Triathlete

Chris is a Two-time Ironman Champion and former U.S. National Ironman Champion.  He recently won Ironman Canada and finished 18th at the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. To learn more about Chris and his triathlon pursuits, please visit www.chrislieto.com.