With race day drawing closer at the PTO Tour US Open in Milwaukee, a number of the best long-course pros in the world – including Lionel Sanders – are heading to Wisconsin with their eyes on the $100k prize purse and a shot at one of the biggest races of the year.
For Canadian fan favourite Sanders however, the race simply offers the chance to measure himself against the best, before returning to training as he continues the build towards his main objective – the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.
In Finland later this month, Sanders will hope to prove the method to his madness and after being written off by many, take another shot at winning a world title. In the first instalment of his race week series on YouTube, the Tucson-based pro doubled down on his commitment to Lahti.
“I’m not firing on all cylinders yet”
Recording after his first win of the season at IRONMAN 70.3 Oregon, Sanders shared his feelings about the US Open and talked through some specific preparations he was doing, including a later run than usual to prepare for the heat.
“I started my run an hour later, because Milwaukee, well I doubt it will be 92 degrees, but in the heat of the day when we get out on the run it won’t be any worse than this so it’s good prep.”
Asked if he was excited to be racing in Milwaukee, the Ontario native said that after a quick turnaround from Oregon, he wasn’t as pumped as he’d usually be, but looked forward to race week.
“It came up pretty quick, so I’m not firing on all cylinders yet, but today was definitely an improvement and I’m confident I’m at least ready to race.
“I don’t have any expectations of myself really, you just have to go and see where you stand. I’m going to go to Milwaukee and see where I stand, my focus is on 70.3 Worlds and I need every second I can get, every training session I can get, and it’s just come up too quick [PTO US Open].
“I’m in pretty good form but I’m not going to kid myself right now, I know where the tops guys are and I’m not there, so I’m just going to keep training hard and continue to do my best.”
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