Will Clarke's Blog by Will_Clarke

Hey everyone. As usual Hamburg World series at the weekend just gone didn't disappoint. We were treated to, as usual, amazing enthusiastic crowds, perfect organisation and very fast, exciting racing. This is the best event on the World Triathlon circuit by a long shot and it's always a pleasure to race here. Luckily I've always loved racing in Hamburg and I don't know what it is, but I just know whenever I start here, it's going to go well! I think it's just my love for Germany. I love the cities and the people, the food and hotels are always great and it's very easy to get to! I'm just at home here. It was quite a fun race with lots going on. I was swimming well in about 10th position until a guy wearing an Orca wetsuit (still need to look him up) decided to mess with the wrong guy!

He was all over me. Hitting me over the head, pulling my feet, swimming on top of me draining my energy. So once I'd checked that I was in a safe position in the race, I went after him, dunking him and giving him a solid punch in the back! He then went after me again! I can't believe it…we're both trying to keep up here and all he wants to do is fight! So I gave him a bloody good kick and he seemed to back off! You've really got to hold your own in these races! Problem is…he's probably one of my mates! Onto the bike I was feeling good, so just did my bit to stay up there keeping out of trouble, staying relaxed, without putting too much work in my legs.

The pace was pretty high so it was fun buzzing around the Hamburg streets, smashing around the corners! I hit the ground running and felt fantastic. It was super fast and by the end of the first lap I was running in about 4th place. Unfortunately the 3 guys ahead were moving very well and was unlikely we'd see them again for the rest of the race. Sven Riederer from Switzerland and my training buddy Brad Kahlefleldt came round me with about 1k to go and put the pace down and I couldn't believe it but there were still 8 guys in this little group! Unfortunately I didn't have the top end speed in my legs yet to be much use in the sprint so I ended up getting out sprinted by 4 guys in the last 200m!

It was a fantastic experience though putting on a show for the 200,000 people lining the streets! I'm really happy with how things are progressing for me, I'm feeling very fresh in the body and the head and I can feel myself coming into some real great fitness in the next month. It's amazing what a few weeks easy can do for an athlete. It's vitally important to put a huge amount of training in your legs to be able to race at the front but at the same time I think a lot of athletes get so used to being tired they almost don't know any different and it becomes a bit of a trap. When you get it right though it's amazing! To round off the week I went to London to visit some of my old friends. The city has gone totally Olympics mad! I can't believe it.

It's just sport, sport, sport wherever I turn and I've never seen anything like it. Although deep down I'm still a bit bitter, I can't wait to watch the legacy unfold and knowing a lot of the athletes well it makes the viewing even better.