Sam Long confident he can ‘still perform regardless of any crazy s***’ in Finland

Sam Long has been battling illness ahead of the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Lahti on Sunday.

The American star, who recently became a father for the first time, has had a busy race schedule since the birth – finishing fifth at both the PTO US Open in Milwaukee and the PTO Asian Open in Singapore.

The latter event was only last weekend and he revealed on Instagram on Thursday that he’s struggled since then, saying: “I picked up a stomach issue from the water in Singapore and was down and out for 48 hours.

“I seem to be clearing it out and was able to ride the full course today. A year ago I would be cursing why me as I’ve had all sorts of “bad luck” the past few weeks. But now, I just move on and am confident I can still perform regardless of any crazy 💩 (literally lol) that happens to me.”

Added motivation

And talking in the pre-race press conference, he added: “I’ve been enjoying Finland, but no, I haven’t been enjoying the last 48 hours so much.

“[It’s been] once an hour to the bathroom. So it’s lucky that I’ve made it this long up here without having to run out!”

And in terms of his prospects for Sunday’s race, Long revealed that the pain of what happened last year when he received a hugely controversial penalty on the bike, continues to be a motivation.

“I actually prefer to think of the negative experiences to fuel me rather than the positive experiences. So I’m much more thinking about my 70.3 Worlds last year than my 70.3 Worlds two years ago [when he was runner-up].

Not being like ‘Joe Schmo’

“I’m more focused on the present moment, what’s happened this season,” he added in reference to a sequence of three successive 70.3 wins from May to June.

“I was living my life, having a great time, and honestly just really focused more on the process again rather than the result. And then the result kind of took care of itself.

“I was just so enjoying the act of being a triathlete in training and racing and trying to perform at my best, that that was the victory itself, whether I got fifth or first or 10th. And that was the celebration.”

And he’s promised he’ll be channelling everything into a big performance on Sunday, rounding off his Instagram post by saying: “Of course, I’m also missing being at home with Lara and Leo during this precious time…however it helps me turn on Warrior Mode as I’m not missing time at home to perform like Joe Schmo. T-3 days”