TRI247
Search
shop

Sam Long shares measured reflection after disappointing IRONMAN Arizona

American long-course star Sam Long gave a measured reflection on his race at IRONMAN Arizona in his most recent YouTube video, where he shared his thoughts on the race.

Staff Reporter
Last updated -
SHOP
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand LIVE

The controversy surrounding Sam Long’s penalty at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in St George, Utah has been one of the most talked about incidents of the year. Everyone, from spectators to pros, weighed in on the perceived injustice Long suffered at the hands of IRONMAN and their officials.

Ultimately, the American dealt with the situation remarkably, as he quickly set his sights on IRONMAN Arizona, in what was billed as his “race for redemption”. Unfortunately for Long, the race “didn’t quite pan out how I wanted” in Arizona, as he shared in his most recent YouTube video.

Bike struggles hinder hopes

After a good swim by the “Big Unit”, the bike didn’t quite go to plan for Long, as by his own admission the initial miles after T1 was where “the race quickly started to go south”. Long shared that, “within the first eight miles I started to have back issues” which resulted in him “spending a lot of time out of the saddle early in the race, which you just can’t do on this course”.

IRONMAN Arizona Race Report – Going Long with Sam Long (YouTube)

After pushing through the pain on the bike, Long felt like he was in a good position, sitting in 4th, having “not overbiked”, but quickly started struggling on the run, having at one point to stop at an aid station to attempt to stretch out.

“I could barely run” admitted the American, stating that at the aid station, “I was at a nine out of ten pain level. Whilst I felt energetically and muscularly good, you’re only as strong as your weakest link,” and after cramping up immediately when taking onboard any nutrition, accepted that “the last twelve miles was going to turn into something of a death march”.

Admirably, Long soldiered on to finish the race, but ended up way down the field, as he missed out on a Kona slot for the 2023 IRONMAN World Championships. The full distance is still yet to be conquered by Long, who looks likely to once again bypass the distance in 2023 to focus on the more lucrative middle distance events.

Advertisement

Solving the IRONMAN puzzle

In his video, Long didn’t want to just gloss over another poor IRONMAN performance, and after three bad long distance races in a row, admits that there are issues that need to be addressed.

“I’ve got some major overhauling work to do to figure out the IRONMAN distance”. The biggest question of all seems to be his training, as Long observes that “looking at my training, you’d expect me to overpeform at the IRONMAN distance and not at the 70.3 races”. However, things have if anything been the opposite, with Long certainly more competitive at the middle distance races.

To close, Long maturely remarks that “we are all on our own path in life”, and encouraged anyone watching to take that into account. The American, still just 26 years old, has plenty of time to rediscover his form of old, but will hope he can end a tough year in style next weekend at IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells.

13th April 2024 - London
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand as these triathlon superstars take on the world in the build up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
LIMITED TICKETS - DON'T MISS OUT!
Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
IRONMAN Tallinn finish line
Let’s race… IRONMAN Tallinn
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
Brownlee brothers on the costly race day swim mistakes to avoid – plus their own mishaps
Cameron Brown signs off with seventh in his 25th and final appearance at IRONMAN New Zealand photo credit Graeme Murray
What is an average & good time for a triathlon?
Jonny Brownlee swim pool neom 2022 Photo Bartlomiej Zborowski Superleague Triathlon
Jonny Brownlee on the pool swimming drills to do now to get faster in open water
Pro triathlete Imogen Simmonds riding a Canyon Speedmax
Can your tri suit actually make you faster? The latest tech and how it could help your race day performance
latest News
Super League Triathlon Jersey 2028 Triple Mix Hayden Wilde / Mario Mola
Three-time triathlon world champion runs lightning quick time at Lisbon Half Marathon
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
Alistair Brownlee chasing first PTO win as stars announced for Singapore T100 Triathlon World Tour
Ashleigh Gentle winning the PTO Asian Open in Singapore in 2023
Chelsea Sodaro returns as World Triathlon release Singapore T100 Triathlon World Tour start lists
Sarah Crowley wins IRONMAN Cairns photo Korupt Vision]
Australian long course legend and Kona podium finisher calls time on decorated triathlon career
Mixed Team Relay France podium WTCS Sunderland 2023 photo credit: World Triathlon / Petko Beier
World Triathlon announce field size expansions following WTCS Abu Dhabi cancellation
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
Invalid email address
The SBRX Group

Proudly elevating endurance sports through content, products & services

SBRX
RUN247
Share to...