Bali Olympic Triathlon..2.21:48 12th Overall

WOW.... What an experience that was.
Well its nearly been a week since i ventured over to Bali and competed in the Olympic distance tri they have on over there and in turn has given me some time to think and reflect on my thoughts.
If the Phuket triathlon is the BEST and most scenic race there is to do then surely Bali must go down as the most DANGEROUS, my God how someone has not been seriously injured or killed out there is beyond me. Ventured over last Thursday for a few days before the race to check  it all out and immediately  fell in love with the beachside setting and where the swim woud take place. But even walking the streets i had reservations of what the bike and run leg would be like with the volume of traffic around.
Started the race on the beach of Jimbaren Bay and thought the markers were set for a full Ironman they were that far out, with limited swimming under my belt i thought i best not push to hard for the first leg and felt comfortable throughout but was surprised when i stood up out the water and saw 31 mins on the clock (was hoping for 28?), never mind and after a quick transition it was out on the bike and this is where the fun really did begin. I did about 2ks then hit motorcylces on the left and right of me as i headed out of town, and then almost came to a complete stop as i hit the first roundabout of the day. Went out for about 10ks before returning and hitting speeds up to 45ks per/h at one stage then all of a sudden a motor bike comes out from the medium strip right in front of me..............i thought my time was up, as a hot flush went through me and i saw the 'Pearly Gates' flash before my eyes. Had to sit up then and take stock as a guy came past and said what a 'close call that was', as i was sitting up (and travelling at about 15ks) i saw a little sign that said "Turnaround 2nd Lap" , so i stopped and asked the guy if that was so whilst many of the others just flew past and didn't see it .......Unreal :)
Never been so happy to be off the bike as my watch ticked off 67 minutes for the 40ks, but  unfortunately things didn't get any better as on the 10k run it was like running through the middle of George Street in peak hour. I was literally in the middle of the road thinking what the hell am i doing here as the sun was baking down on me. The first 5ks pace wise was OK but on the return i thought i was struggling big time and really laboured home in about 38 mins (3.50 pace?) Crossing the finishing shoot in 2.21:28 for 12 place overall. 
  Absolutely spent at the end, these overseas races are bloody hard, not sure what it is, maybe the heat, not knowing the course/layout, even a lack of talent i hear some say :) Still even at this time of the year its been hard to do the necessary swimming and bike training in order to get the quicker times i was looking for, and hopefully when i go back to Thailand in November i will be better prepared and have done the required training.
My times were OK , but if you look at how much time i am giving to my age group competitors in the swim leg - its not hard to work out where i need to focus some of my trianing come the warmer months.
Overall thoughts, Great exprience and the race is still in its early stages (6th year) so they will get better, but they really do need to close the roads and make it safer if they do want to build the race in future years. In last years race the lead guy who was on the bike actually got hit by a truck at one point, the 2nd guy went the wrong way, leaving the 3rd place going on to win the race :)
Race results from this year :  http://results.championchip-thailand.com/bit2012/show.asp?

Had a great post race party in the famous 'Rock Bar' in the Ayana Resort in Bali sitting right on the water supping my Caprioska Cocktails throughout the evening before going on for a few days to meet my adopted family for some pure bliss....Sun, Sand, Sea, Surf, Sex on the Beach ( thats Cocktails for the Irish boys...settle down :)

Run leg in between all the traffic ...unbeliveably

Few pictures taken from race day. (sorry so small - but can not download from Marathon photos?)Start of the Swim leg on the beach at Jimabaren Bay.

Also some BIG and exciting NEWS whilst i have been away is the new arrival of young Cillian Stankard to proud parents Ange and our old mate Enda. I realise some of our Aussie readers may struggle with a name like that and its not as simple as your more sought after Bruce, Wayne, Dwayne,or NoBrain but i like it and i am sure he will in turn be a far better runner then his old man ever was and hopefully  i may get the  chance to race him at the Gold Coast Half in coming years :)
Here is a photo of the 3 of them ( at last we get a half decent photo of Enda) i hear he already has his mothers looks, thank GOD he didn't get Enda's

 Ange, Enda and possibly Ireland's future Number 1 Triathlete Cillian Stankard :)

Finally, Good luck to all those up at the Gold Coast this weekend, big crew up there and everyone is flying so i look forward to hearing all the post race reports and more importantly the shenanigans what goes on at the parties, Will be the first one i've missed in about 7 years to be honest , but after a weeks full of Bintang Beer its probably not the best move to be racing 21ks .

Have a good weekend
Cheers