Cape Town - Even though somewhat frustrated, Richard Murray is still motivated to end off the ITU World Triathlon Series with a bang.
Murray finished sixth at the penultimate race of the series in Stockholm, Sweden.
Alastair Brownlee won in 1:43.13. Murray was some two minutes behind. The Grand Finale is on Sunday, September 15 in London.
Murray got out of the water some 30 seconds behind the front swimmers, but like in previous races in the series the second cycling bunch wasn’t strong enough to bring back the front group.
“I was a bit negative on the bike leg as I saw not many were willing to work and I honestly didn't have much to give on the bike leg either. Sven Reiderer needs to be credited as he did a lot of work on the bike and I'm sorry to him that I was not able to contribute as much as I wanted to. I think I needed to do better preparation on the bike to allow my legs to function properly. I realised half way through the bike that we were losing time and that I was most like going to get another a top 10 finish. I’ve had quite a few top 10 finishes this season which made it a bit hollow but I kept on pushing as this is my career and I cannot be weak.”
With only one race left in the series, Murray is still focusing on getting that perfect race.
“I believe that my swimming is improving and at the moment that is my main goal. I'm also currently fifth in the world rankings. London will be a power course so strength will play a big role. I'm positive that I will have a good swim and with help from Mario Mola and other strong bikers we will be able to bring the front riders back. I think London should be fun.”
Murray has been running some of the fastest times in recent races and according to him it is a challenge to keep positive when the same scenario happens in every race.
“Staying positive during hard circumstances both makes me mentally and physically stronger. Having four or five events going almost identically isn’t easy to accept, but I am able to see where I am improving, and this is in the water. Only some 35 seconds separated me from the front swimmers, and last season it was more than a minute.
“Onwards upwards; never give up.”
Murray finished sixth at the penultimate race of the series in Stockholm, Sweden.
Alastair Brownlee won in 1:43.13. Murray was some two minutes behind. The Grand Finale is on Sunday, September 15 in London.
Murray got out of the water some 30 seconds behind the front swimmers, but like in previous races in the series the second cycling bunch wasn’t strong enough to bring back the front group.
“I was a bit negative on the bike leg as I saw not many were willing to work and I honestly didn't have much to give on the bike leg either. Sven Reiderer needs to be credited as he did a lot of work on the bike and I'm sorry to him that I was not able to contribute as much as I wanted to. I think I needed to do better preparation on the bike to allow my legs to function properly. I realised half way through the bike that we were losing time and that I was most like going to get another a top 10 finish. I’ve had quite a few top 10 finishes this season which made it a bit hollow but I kept on pushing as this is my career and I cannot be weak.”
With only one race left in the series, Murray is still focusing on getting that perfect race.
“I believe that my swimming is improving and at the moment that is my main goal. I'm also currently fifth in the world rankings. London will be a power course so strength will play a big role. I'm positive that I will have a good swim and with help from Mario Mola and other strong bikers we will be able to bring the front riders back. I think London should be fun.”
Murray has been running some of the fastest times in recent races and according to him it is a challenge to keep positive when the same scenario happens in every race.
“Staying positive during hard circumstances both makes me mentally and physically stronger. Having four or five events going almost identically isn’t easy to accept, but I am able to see where I am improving, and this is in the water. Only some 35 seconds separated me from the front swimmers, and last season it was more than a minute.
“Onwards upwards; never give up.”