This is the third year I have raced Oceanside 70.3. It is a really fun race over all. A nice Ocean swim, hilly ride and them fast run along the peer. It is the first big race on USA soil every year. It seems to bring out a lot of the top guys and gals out. I find that it is a really good race to see where you stack up in the larger picture. Oceanside is also only 40min away from where I spend my winters training. It feels like a home race since I know the area so well.
In 2015 it was the third 70.3 race I had ever done and it was by far the biggest race. That year Jan Frodeno, Lionel Sanders, Andy Potts and many more were there. It was a very big learning experience racing them for the first time. That year I was able to stay in control and place 6th. It was really nice have to Trevor Wurtele give me a few pointers before that race. It was really exciting to race on such a large stage and against some of the top dog in my sport.
2015 Oceanside Run
In 2016 I had a huge up set at Oceanside. After a rough start to the race I almost made it to the end of the bike. But in the last km I was involved in a nasty crash that took me out of the race and totaled my bike. Luckily I was not too badly hurt from the crash and Caledon hills Cycling made sure I was back on a bike in a few days. Which allowed me to bounce back two weeks latter at New Orleans 70.3 a few weeks later.
A nasty fall
A quick recovery
This year the field is very strong again, with many 70.3 Champions and World Champions present. I really look forward to testing myself after a very strong start to my season in Puerto Rico. The swim will be critical to set up my race and allow me to ride with the top men. I think that race conditions will play to my strengths with a hillier bike course and cool weather in the forecast. They are calling for a high of 18c on race day. But it will all come down to the run in the end. This will be a very tactical race I am planning to pick my moments and have the fastest race I can.
New race bike for Oceanside
California Mountains
I will have periodic updates on my Twitter the day of the race @TC_Reid