Team Polar,

I had a great trip to Western Newfoundland this past July and had a solid race 70.3 result. Unfortunately the race organizers have now decided to discontinue the race so none of you will have a chance to do this race. I was lucky enough to have done the race both times that it ran. If you have not yet been to Western Newfoundland, it is something to put on your "to do" list. The Gros Morne National Park is spectacular and deserves to be a World Heritage Site. The Western Brook pond is really amazing.

My goal for this race was: (a) to be a bit faster than the year prior and (b) to once again get a spot for the 70.3 World Championships at Clearwater. My early season runs (The Bay Race and The Mississauga Half Marathon) and the Peterborough Half Ironman had gone well and I was ready to race hard at this race. One of my 2008 racing goals has been to get off the bike and still be able to run in high zone 4 or low zone 5. My ongoing training has been focusing on more speed work than usual. As you all know, this is the hard training that we all like to avoid. For the most part, I had done the hard work in the months leading up to the race.

On race day, I pushed hard on the bike and was able to sustain my desired heart rate averages on the run. It was a full out effort!!

I am proud to report that both of my goals were met.

Next race is the Muskoka 70.3 at Huntsville.

Tom