James Cunnama’s Blog

Yesterday we were treated by Alex  and Ellen to a very special Thailand experience. After our long run in the morning we all headed to Ao Nang beach where we boarded a long boat and headed out to Chicken Island a few kilometres off the coast. As always it seems, the weather was great for a day at the beach. We landed at Chicken Island and had a great lunch and the small (and only) restaurant on the island. A few of us went snorkelling (without snorkels) and explored the coral reef around the island. It may be important to note now, that there were thousands of sea urchins on the sea-bed, but I was wary of them and giving them a wide berth…

After chilling on the beach a bit and playing some ball games, we hopped back on the boat and headed out a bit were we fed the fish. It was amazing to see the feeding frenzy created by a piece of bread! Thousand of little green and black fish swarm around bread, regardless of whether it is floating, in your hand, or in Jan’s swimsuit… Sometimes they miss the bread and nibble your hand, but their bites are not very effective at tearing through your skin.

Evil little buggers!

As I swam around the group of team mates and frenzied fish to get back to the boat, I kicked downward and it suddenly felt like I was being bitten by the fish again, only this time it was REALLY sore! It took about half a second to figure out what I had done, and I didn’t need to even look down. I had moved over big rock and so suddenly the sea-bed was shallower than before, and I had kicked a sea urchin! After carefully avoiding them all day, they had gotten me!

The pain was pretty intense, and I must admit I was a little worried for a while. But the boat driver was only mildly amused and not worried, and the pain started easing pretty soon. He dug in his bag for what I hoped was some kind of pain relieving cream or something, but no such luck - he instead gave Alex a bucket and said, ‘You pee, then he stick foot in.’ Really?! Sigh! …If it’ll help.

After all the girls averted their eyes, Alex did his best to fill the bucket, but he must have been dehydrated! The boatman then offered his services and did a better job. Thai pee may be better for Thai urchins anyway… I stuck my foot in the warm liquid, and it did help some…

We headed back through choppy seas and everyone got drenched on the open boat. Alex, Jan, Scott and I then borrowed a resort pool and I relaxed there and soaked my foot while the other boys had underwater swimming competitions across the pool. Scott lost, even to Alex(!) so the beers were on him. After that we had a great dinner at a restaurant overlooking Ao Nang beach. It was a really great day and evening with a fantastic group of people. Thanks Alex!

My foot is not doing too bad now. A little swollen and still has about 10 little spines in it,  but the internet says that they will dissolve or be ejected, so I am soaking my foot to keep the skin soft. Other than that, a few precautions against infection and I’m sure I’ll live, and may even be able to keep my foot…

Boat ride to Chicken Island

Sunset over Ao Nang beach

So I am in Krabi, Thailand with the team. But more about that later…

On the way here I stopped over in Singapore for a night in order to pick up my new Cervelo P4 at The Bike Boutique store. It was my first time in Singapore but I had a lot to do so not much sightseeing was done.

The closest we got to sight-seeing - we stumbled on this whilst lost!

I arrived at 6am from Jo’burg and my bike box made it too (without a bike in it, yet still heavy, which would prove significant). An hour later Scott arrived from the other end of the world - he was flying in from New York - and we headed off together to find The Bike Boutique. I had done some investigating whilst waiting for Scott and had determined that a taxi, which will fit only 1 bike box, will cost about Sing$35. A train to within 1km of the shop will cost about Sing$2. We went for the train. We eventually found our way to the surface in the city, but were seriously disorientated from the subway  had no idea which way we were meant to go. My map wasn’t helping. But the locals were very helpful and we hefted and tugged our way to the shop.

We checked out our new frames and left our components with the mechanics to build the bikes whilst we headed off to the apartment. We found the train station easily enough, but that was the last time in Singapore that we would make it from A to B by the shortest route.

Azmil hard at work

Exiting the train station at Bedok we had an address and little more, so we decided to take a taxi. Or not. They didn’t want to stop for us. After a few minutes waiting we tried to figure out which way to go and headed off - in totally the wrong direction! After asking a local and turning around, we thought a taxi was definitely needed. Again we stood and waited. Again we gave up and kept walking. Eventually we got a taxi and made it to the apartment. I fought valiantly against the desire to sleep, but passed out anyway.

Later, after a swim and to prevent more untimely sleeping, we headed back to the bike shop… and got lost again! As it turns out, the train stations in the city have about 5 exits and you can never figure out which one you have exited! We twisted and turned through back streets and alley ways until, after again asking a few people, we found the shop. Our bikes were looking good!

We left to get some dinner, and although we found Subway (the restaurant), we lost the subway (with the trains). When we found it we made a note of which direction to head in the morning to get back to the shop… but we had already got mixed up on the way from the shop, so, after a good nights’ sleep and a short run, we once again exited the train station and headed in our pre-determined direction… only to find that once again we had gotten it wrong! We walked for 15mins and found ourselves back at the station! That was the 5th time we had lost our bearings in 24hrs! Thankfully that would be the last time we took the subway!

Retul setup on new Cervelo P4

Our bikes were done and after a quick Retul setup, we hopped in a smart taxi to the airport on our way to Krabi. We watched as they loaded the plane and saw my bike and Scott’s bag being loaded, but not Scott’s bike! It made for a stressful hour-and-a-half plane ride for Scott as he stressed about losing his 1-day old Cervelo P4!

Its my last week in SA before I jet off to Thailand for training camp with the team for 7 weeks. Although the weather is miserable today, it has been a great summer in SA for me, with good weather and good training. I love the long days we have in PE in summer, although the early sun makes sleeping enough difficult - I actually bought a black sheet to hang behind the curtain to keep the daylight out a little longer! By the time I return in April, summer will be gone and autumn will have set in for sure - although hopefully not enough for a cold Ironman day! Of course, I am not really leaving summer at all as it sounds like Krabi is scorching hot! And soon after my return, I head off to the European summer so I never really say goodbye to summer… (I know what you’re thinking… It IS tough, but someone’s gotta do it! ).

Unfortunately there are far to few good races on the SA triathlon calendar, but I kept myself busy over the summer with the local ECTA events,  IM70.3 SA and of course lots of training. Not to mention good QT with Lex and watching Chloe (our puppy) grow up. I am certainly looking forward to training with the team again though, after a long few months of flying solo.

I fly to Singapore on Monday where I will pick up my new Cervelo P4 (YAY!), have it quickly assembled by the Bike Boutique guys, and then head off to Krabi the next day. I can’t wait to get on my new bike, but I am sure I will have spent plenty of time on it by the time I get back to SA in April! I will also be riding SRAM and 3T for the first time, so lots to look forward to!

Actually it will be my first time to Thailand and I have only heard good things, so while the last days in SA seem to fly by too quickly I am getting really excited for another great experience with TeamTBB and seeing another new part of the world.

This past weekend turned into a big training weekend for me. It was the PE Friendly City Marathon on Saturday (Yes, they call it the Friendly City when they are not calling it the windy city!), and EP Triathlon Champs on Sunday.

The marathon would actually be my first ever straight marathon - I’ve done quite a few in training and of course six in Ironman events, but this was the first 42km race I had done. My dad tried to get me to go for his marathon PB of 2h34, but with strict instructions from Doc, his PB was safe for a little longer. (Maybe one day I will beat that time in an Ironman… ::) ).

So the marathon went really well actually. It was good to be reminded that 42km is not short, even without a 180km bike to precede it, but I was pleasantly surprised by my fitness. I finished 5th overall and it was by far the most comfortable and enjoyable marathon I have ever done!

A short ride that afternoon to loosen the legs and the next day I was ready for the provincial triathlon champs on Sunday. With a stiff wind the Olympic distance event would be challenging even without a marathon in the legs. Fortunately there was little in the way of competition so I could go my own pace and get some good training in. I felt great on the bike and going into the run I had over 4mins lead, which was a good thing cos my legs were feeling yesterday’s effort! They held up though and I finished far ahead of the next competitor. Another good day in the office.

I don’t recommend a marathon to sharpen up the legs for a triathlon, but sometimes its fun to challenge yourself with something new…

Going into the race on Sunday, I was confident but a little unsure of my form, having not raced (anything long) since Kona in October. After Raynard withdrew I was thrust into the limelight as the South African favourite, despite the presence of many other strong locals.

The weather on race morning was great and after a beautiful sunrise the pro’s gathered on the beach for the start of the Pro wave. As we got under way we were pounded by a big set of waves and it felt like they would never end. It made following the group and staying together tough and a group really only formed near the first turn bouy. I was just hanging on the back of the front group and trying to get my bearings, but was on someone’s feet and feeling good. When I looked up again the guy in front of me had dropped off the pack. I immediately went around him, but it was too late and I became the leader of the 2nd group until Lucie Zelenkova came past me a little after halfway. I exited the water together with a few others, including eventual women’s winner, Mari Rabie.

Out on the bike 2mins down on the leaders in 9th place but I was feeling good. About 5km’s in my rear hydration system decided it was carrying too much weight and jettisoned my bottle. With only a concentrated mix of gels in the other bottle, I was going to get thirsty! (Note to self: Next time use an aero-bottle up front.) The first aid-station was supposed to be at 21km and I started counting down the km’s. I got to minus-4, cos the aid station was actually at 25km! I slowed right down and made sure the bottle I took was what I wanted. I grabbed it and my first thought was, ‘ah, yes, relief!’. Then I looked at the bottle and the lid was missing. Sigh. I did my best to drink from it, but most went on me, not in me and the bottle was empty way too soon. Another 20km to the next station…

At the halfway turn I could see the leaders coming down the on-ramp of the highway as I went up the off-ramp to cross the bridge, and got the split that I was still 2mins down.

On the way back I felt pretty good, but I suffered a few cramps in my inner hamstrings. At first I tried to stretch them, but after a while I just rode (painfully) through them. I knew that they were not muscles likely to cramp on the run, so if I could just get the end of the bike I should be fine…

James on his way to a new run course record -1h14:29

By the start of the run I had lost some time and made up some places and exited T2 4:50 down on Fraser Cartmell and Brad Storm, in 4th place. I sipped a Red Bull and got into a good rhythm during the first lap as I slowly made up time. On the second lap I worked harder and brought the gap down to about 3mins. On the final lap I passed Brad for 2nd and pushed harder. Fraser was still out of sight, but I was I knew he was hurting and kept telling myself that he could cramp and be forced to walk even 100m from the end… He didn’t. He held it together like the great athlete he is, and I finished 1min39 behind him in a new run course record of 1h14:29. (I had no idea about the record as I chose not to use a watch on race day.)

As a year-opener, I’ll take it. There are many things to improve onin the coming months, but lots of positives to take from it too. I am getting a little tired of this second place stuff though…

Onwards and upwards…

Just a quick update before I have a nap…

Finished 2nd today 1:39 behind Fraser Cartmell and ahead of Brad Storm. My race went well for the most part (full race report soon) and I had a good run of 1:14:29, to secure a new run course record (I beat Tim Don’s time from last year, when we ran together for the first half then he dropped me in the second half!).

In the ladies race Marie Rabie (RSA) won with a blinding 1:19 run split (!) followed by Sandra Wallenhorst and Lucie Zelenkova in 3rd.

Full race report soon…

So here I am in East London/Buffalo City a few hours from PE for this Sunday’s race. We just arrived, registered, went to press conference and Pro briefing and now are chilling for the afternoon. I can hardly believe its been only 12 months since I was last here - a lot has happened since this time last year! It seems like a lifetime ago, particularly in terms of my triathlon career.

With Raynard Tissink out due to an injury I got a lot of the attention from the press - sure I would have got some spotlight anyway, but now it is a lot brighter! There will still be some tough competition though so it should be a good race.

Weather forecast looks good too (not that that matters of course).

More updates soon… I’m going to get horizontal.

So 2010 is here. It better live up to expectations! All we have heard about in SA for the last 5 years is ‘2010 this’ and ‘2010 that’. In fact 2010, pronounced ‘twentyten’ has to be the biggest buzzword in SA at the moment. By far.

I guess all the hype is somewhat justified. It does promise to be a big year for SA as we host the biggest sporting event in the world. There is lots of excitement for sure, but more than a few worries too. Our stadiums are built, and most ahead of schedule, if over-budget. But everything else needed to host such an event seems to be way off. We don’t have enough beds in the country for the amount of people coming so they are going to park some massive cruise ships in the harbours for people to stay in, like floating hotels! There is hardly any public transport to speak of either, so hopefully the ships can dock within walking distance of the stadiums, too bad if your game is in Jo’burg… I will, unfortunately or fortunately, depending on whether it is a spectacle or spectacular failure, will not be here to witness it, as I will be off conquering Europe. (Actually I am really bummed about it, but priorities, right?)

Next up for me, in two short weeks, is IM70.3 SA in East London, just 3hrs up the road, but close enough to almost be considered a ‘home’ race. Last year I was 6th here, but that seems like a lifetime ago now after everything that happened in 2009. I won’t be happy with 6th this time! Unfortunately Raynard Tissink, my South African nemesis (and good friend) has had to withdraw leaving me to fly the flag (okay, there are a few other SAfricans too), but we will see each other at the full IM in April.

I am looking forward to 2010 more than I have looked forward to a new year since… well probably since 2009 when I had just joined TeamTBB now that I think about it! But 2009 was really good, so hopefully 2010 will be even better!

All the best for your new year and to making your dreams come true in 2010!

So summer is here. At last. It has taken its sweet time getting here, with the occasional hot day, but mostly windy and cool. Today it was hot. Awesome! Soon, no doubt, I’ll be wishing it was cooler as the heat becomes oppressive, but for now I’ll take it.

With summer comes tri-season and some great local races to have some fun with. Today was the first of the Atlas Security Summer Series, a series of 3 sprint-distance races over 10 days in different local venues. The race for me was my first event since Kona and being so short it was a good chance to burn the gunk out the pipes from a rough few weeks past.

I started fast - mostly cos the water was about 11C and I wanted out of there as soon as possible! In fact it was maybe my best swim ever in a triathlon, even if it was only 750m. Maybe I should pick races with freezing water more often… Or maybe it was the many miles I have put in in the pool lately… hmmmm.

I never really slowed from there and before I knew it the race was over - that happens in a sprint tri I guess. When you are accustomed to racing for 8-9hrs, one hour is barely enough to realize you’re hurting! It was a lot of fun though and a great turnout from PE locals and some of the imports from inland (including Lucie Z) - they tend to swarm around the coast at this time of year!

The next race is this Sunday and I think I might have to go down for some more fun in the summer sun.

So after a season of mostly ups and very few downs, it really feels right now as if the law of averages is exerting its force and balancing the scales. The last two weeks have been pretty miserable. It started with what felt like a minor cold. Which, although it is unusual for me,  didn’t seem serious and is common with the changing seasons anyway. But a few days later, it had developed into bronchitis. A course of antibiotics and another few days rest. Then a few days of swimming and easy rides/runs and I figured all was well. But my immune system wasn’t quite with the program and let a stomach bug through. It was only a 24hr stomach flu, but it seriously took the wind out of my sails.

For the first time this year, and the first time since I have been training full-time, I have been unable to train! It is infuriating and frustrating. With triathlon there is almost always something you can do to keep ticking over when injured, so when your best course of action is to do nothing it is hard not to feel like the world is ending. If I put it into perspective, I know that in a months time, when I am training well again this little episode will seem like a minor, distant speed bump that has no major impact on my career, or even my season…

…But right now, that long term view is really tough to see while I sit at home and slowly lose my mind… ARGHHHH!!!!