You're a credit.......

[Huggy Bear]

So Stephen.........

I originally put this somewhere else but then realised that you or anyone else probably wouldn't see it!

"You finished 18th in Kona (some 48hours ago???) and now on you're here helping with their running!!!! (I stayed up half the night watching it, then did a 16mile road race the next day and I have only just recovered my sleep deficit)

Can I just say that I think that you are a credit to yourself, your team and the sport. I honestly don't that there is another group of professional sportspeople in the world where that would  happen. You have such a decent group of people here. (and the philosophy is spot on too - both with the training and the support for each other and the posters here) Reading stuff on here and the advice I was given has made a difference and given me a bit more confidence to do what I feel is right instead of a lot very confusing stuff which doesn't make common sense most of the time! Long may it continue.

I would like to spread the news but I don't want my mates knowing where the good stuff is coming from!!

Thanks Team TBB"

[StephenBayliss]

Thanks Huggy Bear. 

Even us "pros" have been confused by all the information/misinformation out there.

I think we cut through the bullsh+t  here.  If you listen to the Doc you will get the right info.

Stephen

[doc]

let me tall all .
he is a credit , to himself and the human race .
its a priveledge to work with him .
i have not heard a bad word against any body come out of stephens mouth , he keeps his nose in his business and helps any one that asks , and just does what i love in a person
his best , if he fails he blames no one , he just regroups and goes again , is genuinely happy for the people that beat him .
just says coach ,we got to  change that one day , and over the last 3 seasons we have .
ofcourse he has 2 levels to go ,
but i am betting , he will  get them , using his method .
help where you can , while i help my self .
stephen bayliss is a champion bloke , and we are going to make him a champion athlete
you can bet on that

[BellaComerFord]

Yeahhh, I agree Doc!

He is a champion bloke   

[DanB]

Seconded, thirded, fourthed ...

Showed up for the first hour of club runs, then excused himself to do cross-country races. Devoted to the cause back in 2004.

And then escorting me during a serious bonk on the way to Fanny's and having a great time kidding me about it.

The man will get there!

[StephenBayliss]

Ok stop it now, I can feel the love  .

Thanks for all the kind words.

Cor I just can't stop being nice 

[AndyS]

Congratulations.

<Trigger>
We're gonna name our baby after you, gonna call it Dave.
<Trigger>

Anyway, how far ahead do you plan your races? I'm guessing you'll be off to Florida in a few weeks but have you got the race after that planned? How far ahead? Back to Taupo?

[StephenBayliss]

Dan, I have just realised, others reading your post might think something funny was going on.  You bonking on the way to Fanny 
I know what you mean but I'm sure others don't

Andy,  Yes Bella and I are in Florida now, getting back in the routine, Bella races IM Florida in 2 weeks then I will race 70.3 Champs in 3 weeks.  Next year isn't planned yet, apart from Hawaii for us and a few races penciled in.  We will discuss the plan with the Boss in the winter.

[Amanda]

Hello

A group of us were watching you on the TV coverage of the IMUK this morning, a couple of times your sat what looks lke the minimum or there abouts distance draft limit off Fraser C, you gave a couple of comments here and there to the camera and barely seemed out of breath, and looked incredibly comfortable - whilst Fraser looked to be working somewhat harder.
We were discussing whether you were just waiting until the run to really turn on the power and lose Cartmell, or are looks decieving and you were in fact trying really hard on the bike??
As you were getting time checks so you knew where Scott and Spencer were did you reach a point where you knew you had the race?
We were all very glad you won by the way, but it was great to see the fight between yourself and Fraser repeated after such a nail biter earlier in the year at 70.3.

Amanda

[StephenBayliss]

I seem to always look more comfortable than I actually am.  But yes some of the time I was comfortable.  However we were both pretty tired at the end of the bike, it is a tough course.  Fraser and I did share the lead but he probably did a bit more than I at the front.

As for the drafting distance, I was riding at the legal distance(7m front wheel to front wheel) plus a bit.  I am a professional athlete and I play by the rules as set out.  If I were to ride much more than the legal distance apart, I consider it like running the 1500m in lane 2 because you think the race is too short or teeing off in golf further back than you need to because you think the hole is too short.  If they change the distance(which they should) then I will ride at that distance.

And yes I was trying to win the race so I was happy to have a gap to Spencer and Scott and saw it as a run race between Fraser and I.

[AndyS]

People in the UK can watch it again online: http://www.channel4.com/video/brandless-catchup.jsp?vodBrand=ironman

You need a windows machine though so I haven't seen it yet (using Linux tonight), will watch tomorrow.

[Amanda]

Don't get me wrong - I'm not questioning where you were sat with regards to the drafting! You just made it look like you were sat there so easily thats all!
Incidently, I've been in the position a couple of times when I can't quite do enough to get past the person in front, usually because they put in that extra bit of effort when they sense your trying to pass, but yet when I then have to drop back to the legal limit I feel I'm having to hold back a bit.
Is the best thing to just put an almighty push in, get past them so they then have to drop back? and risk expending too much energy?
I'm always a little too worried about blowing up with such a long way left, but maybe I should be taking a risk?

[DanB]

Dan, I have just realised, others reading your post might think something funny was going on.  You bonking on the way to Fanny 
I know what you mean but I'm sure others don't

John and I used to make the same jokes during those long winter rides. "Fanny's warm and welcoming, can't wait to get inside."   

[StephenBayliss]

 

Too funny!

For thosed that are wondering.  Fanny's is a Farm shop, great cake and tea 

Although Fanny is a different thing in the US than the UK.  Much funnier in the UK