TeamJameson, that's brothers Joel and Toby, report on a successful day and two top-10 finishes at last weekend's Ironman 70.3 Antwerp.

We both arrived in Antwerp on the Thursday before the race and had a good scope of the course and a dip in the lake. The weather was on and off but thankfully it was never going to be as hot as last year (30°C). We managed to find a good little Italian to eat at for some high calorific pre race food and we were both set.

The race through Joel’s eyes:

The whistle went for the start of the swim and the carnage which I expected happened. Although the pros got a 10-metre lead, all the fast age group swimmers launched themselves straight over the top of me, and then for the whole swim I struggled to find my own space or any feet to follow. However after 27:29 mins I exited the water which wasn't too slow for me, and had a fairly good transition out on to the bike. I had a shout to say I was about 80th which sounds bad but is pretty normal after the swim, and that Toby was 30secs up. I soon found my bike rhythm though and reeled roughly 65 athletes in. I knew I was going well as I went past Toby and after a few miles kept pulling away. I came into T2 and had a quick change, and stormed out maybe a bit to fast, but held a healthy pace and felt good. I slowly reeled Gerrit Schellens in who was being supported from every spectator (being from Belgium) and then on the last lap I got a split on my gap from Toby. I was told 20 seconds, so I really hurt myself over the last 5km. I found out after I actually had 60 seconds and it was just Cat’s (my girlfriend) subtle way of making me run faster… It worked (3rd quickest run – 74:37)!!!

Anyway I finished 8th overall, just outside the money but scalped a few big names and did 3:58 which is a pretty respectable time. I was happy with the result.

The race through Toby's eyes:

I always relish the battle of a mass swim start - I feel that although my swimming is not that great, the closer I can get to rugby and the more rough it is, the less my deficit will be! I got a good beating on the swim but exited in 26:43 which is my fastest to date. I then went and virtually lost all my advantage in transition as I couldn't get my suit (big thanks to BlueSeventy) over my chip - I managed to roll it up into a kind of croissant around my ankle and I lost a lot of time as Ange was shouting through the barriers "Don't rush it, don't force it, keep calm...go go go!" I was starting to get a little disheartened but at last I got out onto the bike to be met with wind and rain - British weather - brilliant I thought, time to lay it down.

My bike legs must have stayed in the boot of my car as although I think I was going at an ok pace I just couldn't get "on it" or feel the "circle pedalling" that you get when you are rocking the bike. I tried not to get too frustrated at myself as Joel went by. I stayed with him up the road in sight for most of the rest of the bike but as the French say " Il y a pas de quoi fuetter un chat" - it is not worth whipping a cat - that is how I felt with my legs!

Into T2 and a lot of wet cobbles to skate around on! Finally I got out onto the run and felt good with the rhythm I was setting. I started to reel Joel back in and we were downing Pros left, right and centre. I couldn't close the gap to my brother who had a great race finishing in 8th place - awesome! I put in the 2nd quickest run split of the day which I was very happy with (1:14:23) and finished 10th place, 9th PRO. TeamJameson inside the top-10 in a quality race - very happy all round!

After the great support from family and lady friends it was good to top a enjoyable day with good results and even some Flemish dark stuff afterwards!

Thanks to Marc Herremans - the race earns its better known name. Thanks again to my family and friends who were there to support, and respect to Doug Hall for finishing after blowing spectacularly and AJ who finished after a flat tyre!