Two championship races. Two very different outcomes. That’s the reality of racing at the highest level—sometimes everything clicks, and sometimes the lessons are even more valuable than the result. Marc recaps a career-best performance at IRONMAN 70.3 Happy Valley, followed by the challenges of racing the European Championship in Jönköping.
The Sweet: 5th Place – IRONMAN 70.3 Happy Valley North American Champs & Pro Series
Swim
Finally, a full swim and no wetsuits!
The draft on the swim is bigger than in any other discipline, so getting a split like this is really hard to do.
I led for the first 600 meters before finally taking a breath to my non-dominant side and seeing Morgan taking a different line into the first turn buoy. This is where the broadcast turned off, but somehow Ben was the only one on his feet with him. It was really strange that it was only the two of them swimming off on their own.
In the end, it worked out perfectly. As I moved over to jump on their feet, I had to surge, and everyone behind me had to react. That's what ended up creating the gap. I came out of the water 3rd, but with the fastest T1 I got onto the bike first.
Bike
I stuck to my plan better than I ever have.
I had to let Ben and Matthew fly up the road. I stayed committed to my power, but when the train of Trevor, Sam, Lionel, and Rasmus came by, there was only one thing left to do.
I swiped my computer to the map-only screen.
Head down.
Send it.
Through the biggest climb on the course and the rolling back half with some of the best riders in the sport. No looking at watts. No overthinking. Just racing.
The result?
The best bike of my career.
Run
Now I've just got to get the legs to run off that bike if I want to make a career out of this.
It wasn't a fast run, but putting myself in position to race for the win was well worth it. I came off the bike in 6th at the back of the front group but quickly moved into 4th. I was in 3rd for about 200 meters before Jason came by, and then Matthew paced his run much better than I did.
I held on for 5th and walked away proud...and hungry for more.
The Sour: 11th Place – IRONMAN 70.3 Jönköping European Champs
Swim
Racing in Europe is always different. Different athletes and different dynamics.
I'd raced a few of these guys before and knew from the results this was a deeper field than the North American Champs.
The swim was wetsuit legal and held in a rowing facility, so I knew it would be nearly impossible to split the field. This is where I'm still learning.
I pushed extremely hard at the start and ended up solo off the front with a 40-second gap over a large chase group. Coming around the turn buoys, I looked back and could see them spread three wide across the front, which usually means the pace isn't that high. (I later found out they were all waiting to light it up on the first and only climb)
I settled in through the rest of the swim and T1 and started the bike with about a 20-second lead.
Bike
The most decisive part of the course came at 10 km with a 10-minute climb.
I emptied the tank, but I simply didn't have the power to go with either group that had already started forming.
At 20 meters there's certainly no draft, but on a rolling, technical course it's still nice to key off people through the corners. Mentally, it's much easier to keep pushing when you're with others.
The numbers just weren't there all day. I did everything I could to stay in the race, but I knew pretty early it wasn't going to be my day.
Run
Seeing nine or so bikes already in transition gave me some motivation. I knew there were still places to run back, and I kept giving myself every reason to turn the day around.
Unfortunately, I just felt flat from the start and spent most of the run in survival mode.
Some days your body follows your mind. This day, they were both a step behind.
The encouraging part is that I know the fitness is there. Happy Valley showed what's possible when everything clicks, and Jönköping highlighted exactly what still needs work.
There are still plenty of low-hanging fruit, which is an exciting place to be halfway through the season.
Now it's time for a short reset before a big training block leading into IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships.
Up Next:
IRONMAN 70.3 Kraków - August 2nd.
See you in Kraków.
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