Coming to Ironman Malaysia 2009 was a decision that me and my partner (Erin O'Hara) was made in early decision in December. I thought it would be a great place for her to do her first Ironman and have a holiday together. My training preparation had been geared towards gaining my third title at Ironman Malaysia, as my previous attempts had not eventuated.

We arrived here with no dramas other than that they had missed to put us on the pro start list so had no race numbers. We were left with the last pro race numbers, myself number 46 and Erin 47 side by side in her first ironman.

Race morning came around quickly as usual, but I was looking forward to the race to see how my early season preparation had been. The cannon sounded at 7.30am as it was just getting light. I took out the first 400m hard to get to the front. A group of five containing myself, Luke McKenzie, Reinaldo Collucci, Mathieu O'Halloran and Hiroyuki Nishiuch, quickly moved away from the rest of the field. I was doing most of the work on the front and trying to keep the swim pace fast. I lead out of the water and onto the bike.

I started out hard on the bike to try to gain a lead but after 15km I could see that it was just myself, Luke, and Reinaldo. Luke and I were sharing a lot of the work at the front setting the pace. We both knew that we needed to get a break on Reinaldo as you never know what sort of legs a Olympic athlete would have for the run. At 140km Luke and I managed to open a gap on Reinaldo who later on pulled out of the race in the run.

Leading off the bike onto the run I felt good and was confident in my running ability. My plan with my coach was to sit back and run the last 21km harder as this is where I struggled in Kona. At around 2 laps I had Luke down to 24 seconds ahead but then I went through a bad patch. This allowed Luke to enlarge his lead to a minute, giving him more confidence and he looked great. I conciliated my 2nd place as I knew it was his day. I happy with my second place finish as we dueled all day long and it is early season so I hope to get faster and stronger as the year goes along.

The highlight of my day was being at the finish to see Erin finish her first Ironman in 10th place pro female even after suffering a nasty crash early in the bike at an aid station.

Thanks to all my sponsors and supporters. Look forward to reporting on more successful races throughout this season.

RESULTS - IRONMAN MALAYSIA, KUAH, LANGKAWI 2009
1. Mckenzie, Luke 8:26:48
2. Rhodes, Bryan 8:32:52
3. Fuller, Brian 8:38:06
4. Nishiuchi, Hiroyuki 8:48:23
5. Vabrousek, Petr 8:50:48
6. Evoe, Patrick 8:52:18
7. Schuberth, Elmar 8:55:24
8. Seidl, Gernot 8:56:35
9. Ohalloran, Mathieu 9:02:15
10. Dzalaj, Karol 9:05:11

Monday Monday!!
Morning everyone, I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend where ever you were and what ever you got up too.

If you managed to catch the race on TV1 on saturday then you will already know what I got up too. It was great to start my season with a win in Takapuna and carry on my form from my last race last year in Mexico where I also won. The race in Takapuna was awesome! and the crowds lining the course made it even more exciting. Its always great to race Live and the drama that goes with it. As we saw in the Ladies race. But it really does make you think more that your every move is being watched by more than just who you can see down at the course.
The race went as I had planned it too. I wanted to stamp my mark on the race early and make the boys chase me all day. I got off the beach well in the start and with a good swim was out of the water 2nd. Once I got out on the bike I pushed really hard early on. In the end after one lap of not looking back only Laurent Vidal the world number 11 from France could follow. We quickly went about trying to ride away from the big group of around 20 athletes. At this point we were fully committed to keep going and try to stay away. We worked hard for the whole ride and at one point had 20 seconds but it never seemed enough and in the last lap the big group caught us as we rode into transition together. I again got to the front after a good transition and pushed the pace early on the run. This time two of the boys hung on, Ryan Sissons and Laurent Vidal again. Ryan then took over the lead and he set a nice tempo at the front. I felt very comfortable at this speed and just bided my time until the boys started there sprints. Laurent went first with 500 meters to go and I followed him. I then felt him ease off and I attacked straight away.I got a good gap and maintained it all the way to the line to take the victory.
It was the hardest way to win possible being in front all race long. But the most satisfying way as well. All things considered its another good gauge for myself as I head into the first World cup of the year in Mooloolaba Australia. And then the first World Championship series race in Singapore.

I'll attach some race pics on my website soon from the weekend. Tomorrow I'll be on the Good Morning show at 11 talking about the new WC series and or course from the race on saturday. After that I head back to the mecca of Palmy North where I'll be attending a Kids tri that evening with more than 500 kids. I have a very important job of being a human cone on the run course!! brings you back to earth and affirms why I luv doing this sport.

Laters, Kris

Just a quick note to let you all know that finally on my third attempt I managed to crack the World title with a course record here at Clearwater Beach, Florida.

It was an awesome day and coming across the line first was an indescribable feeling. I still cant really believe that I did it.

I had a good swim and was about 5th out of the water, Andy Potts, last years champ had about a 45sec lead. A big group of about 20 athletes formed on the bike, everyone seemed to ride fair and there was no drafting going on. The bunch split at the half way point and unfortunately I was way at the back as I was struggling to find my legs. I managed to bridge back up to the leaders and get in a group of 4 that broke the group again. the conditions out there were great, not much wind and not too hot. So into transition in 2nd place, and out of there in the lead.

I found my rhythm early on, but it may have been a bit quick as I hit the first mile in about 5.05 which is about 3:10 pace per Km. I was running out the front by myself and things were going great, I finished the first lap in about 35min and that is when I started feeling my legs, my quads and calves were on the verge of cramping and my legs were starting to blow, my pace had slowed big time and Andreas from Germany was running me down and quickly. I did everything I could to keep moving and thankfully I had put enough time on him in the bike on on the first lap of the run to hold him off.

The spectators were amazing, the volunteers were great and to have my folks and girlfriend here with me topped off my day. it would have been even better if my bro was here but I guess studies have to come first!!!

Thanks everyone for everything, this has been a great year and I have loved every minute of it.

Now Kelly and I are off on holiday for the next 5 weeks, we are probably going to have to have a holiday when we get back to recover from our travels.

Off the bat I want to say congrads to Sam Warriner. She won the last round of the world cup series today and thus also gained the number one ranking for the year. So hats off to her.

I arrived at the race course this morning seeing Sam running too victory, I thought right there and then why the hell not me too!!I

The course here in Mexico was an absolute killer!! 36 hills on the bike, and one every lap that pitched at over 20% for 200 meters. That + some nice hills on the run + some brilliant mexican weather (42 degrees on the run) = severe pain for 2 hours for everyone.

In short, all I can say is that I didn't hurt as much as some others. I had a really good feeling today and tried to be positive throughout the race. I made sure I swam, rode and ran at the front the whole day. I had as much control in the race as I could have had at any time. I was as patient as I could be on the run before making my final move at around 8k for the win. I felt strong all the way to the line and my last lap (4x 2.5k) of the run was my fastest. It was a great feeling to win yet another World cup. They are so hard to win these days and so Im really happy to race three world cups this year and be 4th, 2nd and now 1st. It also gives me a renewed focus for the summers training ahead and will make next weekends big race in Noosa, Australia even more fun.

You can look at the video, race pics and race summary on www.triathlon.org. I'm heading now to LA for short stop over and then onto gods own (Palmy North!). I'll be landing in NZ on wednesday morning.

Hi Everyone
Yesterday was my final race in the VW Nyon Double Sprint triathlon before I head off to Beijing on Wednesday. The race consisted of 800m swim/9k ride/1.7k run/9k ride/1.7k run. I was first out of the water stayed with the leading 6 on the first bike and run then made my move at the start of the second ride opening up a comfortable lead with Mike Aigroz then pushing a bit harder to open up a lead on him in the final run. The feeling was good and felt strong in all 3 without over doing it.

Nyon is a great place to race. We swam in Lake Geneva and rode around the hills close by. My last time I raced there was 10 yrs ago. It was 20th annversairy of the race.

So this will be the last email before I go to Beijing so I just want to say thanks for all the support from all my sponsors, family and friends and to all the Physio's/doctors who have managed my hip in the last few months. I have got myself in the best possible shape to have the best possible result in Beijing on August 19. Time will tell I guess. There is a lot of variables in this sport, but pretty excited and will be going for it over there through the smog and heat!