Scott Neyedli - Professional Triathlete

December Update

Sorry If haven’t been active online for a while, with xmas bearing down very quickly, I’ve been very busy sorting out next years plans, sponsors, training & tying up loose ends at home.

Physically I haven’t been up to much, I had a small operation on my back in November which wasn’t serious but the cut became infected and slowed the healing process a bit longer than initially expected & then of course being winter I became bed bound with a nasty cold.

I’m back into light sessions this past week with a few more xmas party's to attend before knuckling down to a hard & hopefully fruitful year in 2008.

My initial race plans will be to race Ironman New Zealand as my first start of 2008 & to train the remainder of winter months in the Gold coast & hooking up with, what will be my first triathlon coach, Darren Smith.

On the triathlon front I will also be joining a German race team that will ease a lot of the financial burden off my shoulders and looks like I will be in very good hands to develop me to the next level.

I can’t give any more details just now but some the worlds best Ironman are in the team.

I've been made aware I've been short listed in the 2nd round of next February's 220 Triathlon magazine awards, if you wish to register a vote for any of the category's see the link below.

www.originpublishing.co.uk/questions.asp

Mean time I hope everyone has a great xmas & new year

Scott

BTF Male Elite Long distance Triathlete of Year 2007 - 3rd Nov

The Road To Kona TV Programme is scheduled to air on CH4 Wed, December 12th at 5:45am

The Evening Expreess Aberdeen Champions & British Triathlon Awards Dinners 2007

This weekend was a whirlwind of awards dinners. Friday night I was a nominated finalist at the Evening Express Aberdeen Champion Awards which was held at the Aberdeen Conference & exhibition center.. The Aberdeen Awards Dinner is presented annually in recognition of the unsung heroes of the North East of Scotland who have fulfilled goals or triumphed over the odds with spirit and strength of character to make us all proud. Nominees were put forward by their colleagues and friends and each featured in the Evening Express newspaper stories throughout the summer of 2007. The categories included Champion Child, Champion Worker, Champion of Courage, Charity Champion, Hero Champion, Tourism Ambassador, Peoples Champion & Sport Champion.

Scotland football manager Alex McLeish amongst other local celebrities led tribute to the event. I was just proud and humbled to have recognition in my field and to be be apart of the awards ceremony after listening to the many stores of heroism in my community.

The day after I traveled to Loughborgh, England to attend the Annual British Triathlon Awards Dinner where I was awarded “Male Elite Long distance Triathlete of Year 2007” award.

The evening was rounded off by an inspiring after-dinner speech by Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, the most successful British Paralympian.

Transworld Sport Ironman UK 2007 Highlights

Other Recent Media Releases

Robert Gordons University Allumi - Engineering Graduate Becomes UK’s Ironman

November Edition of 220 Triathlon Magazine

"Competing for Cash - Is earning a living by Training & Racing all It's cracked up to be" by Emma-Kate Lidbury

November Edition of Leopard Magazine

"Man of Iron - Triathlete Scott is a Real Glutton for Punishment" by Pauline Smith

World Ironman Championships - 14th Oct

Kona, Hawaii

31st pro 9:04:48, Top Brit

3.8km swim 180km bike 42.2km run

Results

Splits

BTF Media

What can say about Kona this year... A huge congratulations to my co-rookie pro roomy Chrissie Wellington, a GB first winning the women’s World Championship and totally smoking the field to do it.

Without federation support or big sponsor deals she certainly shook up the triathlon world by taking triathlon’s most prestigious title. She is an inspiration to what can be achieved from the United Kingdom when you’re given the chance.

If you could sum Chrissie up in one word it would be the word “Smile” with all its connotations and associations. She is a fantastic woman and I would encourage everybody to watch her awards ceremony speech.

Chrissie Wellington Hawaii Ironman 07 Speech Part 1

Chrissie Wellington Hawaii Ironman 07 Speech Part 2

The race for me was an unexpected entry for 2007 with Ironman UK being the race I wanted to nail. Winning there was my dream.

I felt going into the race anything was possible & my fitness was back up to where it needed to be to achieve a top 20 finish.

Having said that the Scottish environment isn’t the easiest place to prepare yourself for prolonged exposure to intense heat and humidity.

Sticking your Powerbars down your shorts to make them chewy wasn’t a trick required when racing around the big island!

In my lead up I was hit by what sounds to be the stomach bug going around early on in race week that kept Farris from staring this year’s race. By mid week I felt fine and was still very optimistic come race weekend.

My race plan didn’t go as planned with a rookie error in the swim, I decided to switch goggles to a smaller lens that left me to deal with the frustration of leaking seals that blinded my vision from the salt water through much of the swim and losing both time & valuable position. I then had the misfortune of a tropical jelly fish sting down my left arm 5-600m before the swim exit. I actually screamed it was that painful. Things weren’t going right at that point but I was just thankful it wasn’t on my face and got on with the job at hand. I came into T1 leading the 3rd main swim pack which included a lot of the top lead girls, fellow Brit Saunders& Rute Beke.

Starting the bike, it was going to be a tough grind to get up with the top boys, already 70 positions or so back from the leader, it took about 20k or so to properly get the legs firing right with the use of my trusty ergomo. I could only but watch early on as Beke, Saunders & Johansen rode away when my leg muscles pulled tight leaving T1.

The re-introduction of the 10m draft rule applied to the pro’s made it a fair race on the bike & the conditions this year were so much tougher than last. This was reflected in the amount of big name pro's blowing up or dropping out through the course of the day.

Racing in conditions that seemed like the baron landscapes of hell I was fighting spells of cramp both on the bike and marathon. My strategy was to race smart from the knowledge I accrued last season and slowly but surely worked my way through the field on the bike & run. I caught up with Saunders at miles 70-80 and I knew the battle for top Brit was back on, one goal that I thought was still salvageable at this stage. At about 20k to go Saunders fell away and I went for a break to make time heading into T2.

Pulling up with cramp instantly off the bike I got the legs turning over slowly before heading into the change tent and then breaking into my run rhythm more easily once onto the marathon.

I started at a good comfortable pace making many positions on the run and only dropping 2 positions late on from a couple of athletes (Kawahara & Nils) that I battled it out with in the energy lab. I must have looked like the Michelin Man at times, the only way I could keep my core cool was by stuffing 6 sponges down my top & shoulders..The final mile of the marathon was of mixed emotions & excruciatingly pain being careful not to pull something late on but when you hit Alii drive for the second time all the pain goes away. The atmosphere is unlike anywhere else in the world. Hitting the finishing shoot my dad was on hand (on time this year) with the Canadian Flag. This through a curve ball for the Ironman commentator as I crossed the line with the flag in my teeth, the 1st British finisher & Ironman UK winner.

I can’t be too despondent in my race it was marked improvement from 47th to 31st from 2006 and I was still first Brit to cross the line. I’m still moving in the right direction and looking forward to building on a hopefully more successful season in 2008.

Press & Jounaral article - Jellyfish Sting Didn't Stop Scott

Scott

Ironman Hawawii World Champs Swim Start UTube Video Broadcast

Tri247 - Ford Ironman Hawaii Brit Finishers

Tri247 - Nick Saunders, Hawaii race report

TV Airing of Ironman UK

Ironman UK Air's 08:30am Sunday 4th November CH4

TV Airing of Ironman Hawaii World Championship

Date to be confirmed but I think it will air in a similar slot to above later on in November. CH4 filmed me throughout the race, so stay tuned.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/microsites/T/triathlon/index.html

Zero2Hero New Website

My team sponsor Zero2hero website has recently been overhauled www.zero2hero.co.uk The latests features enables members & pro athletes to have blogs (private and public), picture & chat messaging, an online profile & member only classifieds. Check it out

KPMG Business Golf League Finals 2007

On my return from Ironman UK I was asked to attend and present competition awards for The KPMG Business Golf League at Lossiemouth Golf course. This KPMG charity event began in 1996 and has become an established annual event within the North-East Scotland business community. 84 teams from the North-East and Tayside competed in the competition. Over the summer months teams compete against each other within leagues of 6 in a round robin format. The winners of each league then progress through to the Finals Day which was again played at Moray Golf Club, Lossiemouth, on both the Old and New courses simultaneously. 25 teams competed for the main trophies. The above picture features The winning team Motion Software, Stephen Burt, and Colin Wilson.

The event day results can be found on the following link - www.kpmg.co.uk/golf

After the event KPMG presented me with a cheque towards my training costs accrued this season.

Power Breathe

I've recently been sponsored with a 2nd generation Powerbreathe. Unit. It uses the basic principles of resistance training, with adjustable load which caters for all capabilities and permits progressive training.

Its basically a lung function & diaphragm strengthener. Check out the website & literature www.powerbreathe.com

I liked what I read & associated benefits and first incorporated the unit into my training about 4-5 weeks prior to racing in Ironman Hawaii in 2006 as an age grouper.

I’ve been lucky enough to have a sponsored new generation unit. Apart from the slick new design I find the newer model to have a much more user friendly & comforatable mouth & nose piece and also a smoother resistance control nozzle than in the first generation model I own.

Kona Preperation Update - 27th September 2007

Kona Preparation:

After my recovery from Ironman UK I think I’m back up to fitness again, I have a few key sessions to go this week and I should be in pretty good stead for the World Ironman Champs.

It’s been pretty grim the past few weeks up North and I’m needing 3-4 layers before i go out and train. It’s not ideal for a race that’s going to be in 30's but finance is the main restriction from getting out of Aberdeen.

I leave for Kona Tuesday 2nd Oct & I'll wind things down out there, acclimatise as much as possible and see what happens.

The race is scheduled for a 7am start (local time) Oct 13th. I leave Oct 16th and should be back in Aberdeen on the 17th.

The Race:

My main focus this season was Ironman UK which was executed better than expected. Kona wasn’t in my planning for 2007 so I see this as a bonus race and a bench mark to see how much I have really came on since last years amateur performance 47th OA; 3rd M25-29; 9hrs 1sec.

I think realistically I would be happy with a top 20 placing clocking around 8:40 but with the weather, wind, heat, humidity & the unpredictability of racing you never can be sure of a prediction.

My priority’s when I race, haven’t changed really changed since getting into the sport - get to the finish, get a position then get a time.

The Competition:

The favourites to look out for are Norman Stadler (2004, 2006 World Champion), Chris McCorrmack (the fastest Ironman racer today), Farris (2005 World Champion), Cameron Brown & my outside favourites Marino Vanhoenacker, Rute Beke & Luc Van Lierde.

Brits racing elite are, Simon Lessing (5X ITU World Champ), Andre Johns (former ETU Champ) , Nick Saunders, Leanda Cave (ITU Long Dist Champ 07 & ITU World Champ 02), Chrissie wellington (Ironman Korea Champ 07), Yvette Grice and myself (Ironman UK Champ 07).

Other News:

Last Big rides Power Downloads, PowerBar, KPMG & Power breathe sponsorship announcements to follow.

Scott

TRI 247 Ironman UK 2007 Video Highlights / Interviews

Ironman UK 2007 Video

www.goactionvideo.com

Zero2Hero Interviews Scott Neyedli about Triathlon & Ironman UK Win

Click here to read script

Ironman UK 2007 Tri 247 Video

The first batch of Tri247's videos from Ironman UK are now up on Google TV. You can see finish line interviews with Scott Neyedli and Hillary Biscay plus we have a more general video of the day's action. All three were shot by Cally Mansfield and there are more to come.

Click here to see more Ironman UK 2007 Video Highlights & after races interviews

www.tri247.com

Channel 4 Triathlon Series Dates

Channel 4's Triathlon Series is underway, and what better way than to start your Sunday with a dose of elite multisport action from this summer's top British events to inspire you ahead of your morning training?

Corus Elite Series Triathlon, Bryn Bach Park - National Championships

08:30am Sunday 16th September

Corus Elite Series Triathlon, Hyde Park Super Sprints

08:30am Sunday 30th September

Edinburgh ETU Duathlon European Championships

08:30am Sunday 7th October

Ironman UK 70.3

08:30am Sunday 21st October

Ironman UK

08:30am Sunday 4th November

Oliver 1/2 Iron 2007 Video

I’ve just noticed that the 2007 Persona Oliver 1/2 Iron race I won in Canada back in May has a 10 minute race video highlight download that includes my finish & Interview 7 mins into package

The Persona Oliver half Iron 2007 Video highlights click here Click on Race Logo where stated to download video or right click over the logo and save as

www.outbackevents.ca

My First Sponsor: MPH

Coming back to Aberdeen I made time to meet as many of my local sponsors I could. The first I met was Bert Macintosh, without his help along with team Zero2Hero I wouldn’t have been able to emigrate up to elite competition this past 8 months. The local Banchory Piper wrote the article Scott is first Scot to become UK Ironman champ

One of the perks was I managed wangle a shot of his 1/4 million pound digger seen in the background. It was like being handed the keys to the Millennium Falcon.

Bert has been active in promoting sport in the North East for many years and has been the main sponsor of the Aberdeenshire triathlon series for as long as I know. see the race site www.mphtriseries.co.uk

Thanks Bert & MPH for all the help

Ironman Talk: Podcast

On my recovery time off Ive had a chance to catch up on some Ironman talk pod casts, more specifically the Chris McCormack interview & some of the more recent shows. For any aspiring athlete out there its a great show to listen to whether at home or out on saddle.

Beven & James have a lot of knowledge & experience between them and producing the show for a little over a year now. Episodes regularly include lots of great training & race tips, Ironman race reviews & previews + really insightful interviews from a lot of the top Ironman athletes around the world.

Apart a phone call from Spencer the other week I got a mention from Bevan & John in Episode 73. If Bevan calls you a legend you know you’ve cut the mustard. Check out there site.

www.ironmantalk.com

Fleet Feet Kids Triathlon - 26th Aug 2007

Fleet Feet Kids Triathlon 2007 Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Marshall Duty

I volunteered to help out for this event a few weeks ago as I knew I wasn’t going to be up to anything physical. I didn’t expect to be returning to my home triathlon club as an Ironman Champion. I was given the privilege to say few words about triathlon and present the prize giving afterwards. It was a very enjoyable experience & brought back a lot of childhood memories from my Aberdeen Dolphin swimming days when seeing those young and determined faces giving it there all & quite a few just as competitive mums and dads hitting the course too.

Trying to manage transition was total carnage with bikes being dropped and helmets going flying & when you feel the weight of some the bikes those wee kids were pushing you very quickly become envious of them. I'll stick to my Planet X Carbon Pro I think.

Pictured are some of the prize-winners at this years Kids Triathlon. Over 80 entries were received and all who took part looked to have enjoyed themselves, with some excellent performances in all age categories.

Neil Macarthur once again ensured the smooth running of the races and our thanks go out to Neil and all who helped. Without the guys that run the events at grassroots level there wouldn’t be the sport we have to today so thanks again guys, keep it up.

Fleet Feet is the club that both Bella Comerford & myself started out from in Scotland check out the website

www.fleet-feet.com

Ive also finished "my work in progress" and uploaded all my press and media clippings Press Publications Click on Press / Media Clippings Folder

Scott

A Phone Call from Florida & lost Race kit - 22nd Aug 2007

Just wanted to add another short note to thank everyone for the emails & postings on my website it really means a lot to me. I even received a phone call on Wednesday afternoon from Florida.

I answered the phone to be greeted by a certain 2 X World Champion "Hey Champ, how does it feel..... It's Spencer".

What can I say it's like receiving a phone call from the queen. Thanks Spence It meant a lot getting that call

I'm now sorting out my plans for the future & looking forward to going back to the big Island.

Cheers

Scott

PS Someone picked up my white kit bag whilst I was in the athlete garden by mistake if anyone has happened upon it I would appreciate it back as its quite costly - I've listed the contents below

White Plastic bag No. 13

White/red saucony endurance fastswitch trainers

Green tartan (McLeod clan) baseball cap

Saucony fuel belt (grey/red)

I think my wetsuit with the broken zipper Blueseventy Helix

My point zero Blueseventy tri suit

Planet X S2 race top sleeveless

Planet X S2 cycle top long sleeve

Zero2Hero Impsport race shorts

Grey smartwool socks

blueseventy beeny hat

saucony towel

Finishers Gator aid towel

Possibly a water bottle

There might be more

The Champs Race Report & Media Articles

Ironman UK 2007, England

1st 8:35:52 ***Course Record***

3.8km swim 180km bike 42.2km run

Swim: 00:47:07

Bike: 04:56:55

Run 02:48:32

results

leaderboard

Ironman Live photos

ASI photos type 13 as bib no.

Ironman race cast

Press & Journal: Triathlete Scott Sees Off Rivals To Win Ironman Title

Ironman Media: Ironman Media: Neyedli and Comerford win Ironman UK

220 magazine - Three Brits on Ironman UK podium

RaceReport:

My expections going into the race was to top Top 5, possibly podium if I had a good day. I knew I was going into the event as strong as ever and for the 1st time since my sub 9 Zurich Ironman in 2006 I was injury free. I was also really pleased with my last 4-5 weeks of solid consistent high mileage bike & run training. I knew I had something special to give but I never thought about the win, the course profile & Scottish like cold weather suited me down to the ground.

I travelled down on Thursday and I came down with a cold from travel which worried me but I always try thinking positively Cameron Brown won his 6th Ironman New Zealand title earlier this year he was nursing a cold going into the race so I tried not let it bother me too much. I just took extra Vit C & echinachiea vitamins to boost my immune system and Sudafed cold remedy once checking it wasn’t on the band WADA list and then declared it to the Ironman organisers and got a doctors note too.

Any way by the Friday I was feeling much better and on the Saturday looking forward to race again. After drawing the 13 race no. I thought that just summed up my season but I told myself it had to be a good omen

and so to the race morning. Up early I go through the same old ritual.

Everything was going smoothly that was until I broke my wetsuit zipper this was at 5:50 and the race was scheduled for 6am – I have to be one of the Jinxiest Triathletes on the circuit.

I am so grateful the race was delayed 25 mins for car parking and grateful the Ironman volunteers got a replacement Blueseventy Helix from the Tri UK Expo. I then rushed through the 100’s of athletes to make the start line. The start went well I hit the start hard to get out of the mayhem, I may of led the first 3-400m or so not including the age groupers) then someone from the right came in across my line it may have been Rhodes I don’t know I tried getting on his feet and got a pretty big boot in my right eye that knocked me for 3 – there’s a pretty ugly looking photo of a droopy looking right eye & goggle imprint on the Ironman live photo sight on my swim exit anyway I recomposed myself and led the following line down the first half of the swim then an age grouper and 2 or 3 pros passed me so I just settled on there feet for the rest of the swim and came out on Bayliss’s feet eventually.

Rhodes basically melted it from the gun as I knew he would that’s how he won in 05, Bayliss was out onto the course next and then me 10 sec back or so. I watched him pull away and held back as I thought he worked the initial climb a little too hard and got maybe 30 sec clear. I was then caught by some else whilst taking nutrition. About half down the first lap I worked a hill to drop that guy and got myself back in touch with Stephen by the top of the roll, I then basically let Stephen dictate the pace on the first lap so I could figure out the bike profile and watch his riding style. He seemed to be pushing bigger gears than me. Its either that or im just a spinner. At the end of the first loop we were joined by Matula and someone else. I then went into the lead for a brief spell then Bayliss took the pace again, the back guy dropped off then it was basically Myself Bayliss and Matula together for the rest of the bike. Jimmy only appeared as I left the T2 tent. Just always a about 1 min back after looking at the splits. Going back a bit on the second loop I heard Rhodes had a flat and was 4 mins ahead I then took the helm and tried punching it hard to see if I could bridge the gap but also to see f I could drop either Bayliss or Matula, if not to take a bit out of there legs on the marathon and also to prevent anyone else latching on.. ½ way into the 3rd lap Bayliss retook the helm and I pondered whether to make another move on the climbs again or hold it up and settle things on the marathon, I decided to hold back. I knew Stephen was running really well this season so I was contemplating what to do as Matula stayed put. I thought the 3rd lap pace slowed from the first 2 so I just bode my time analysing both those guys again looked to be pushing higher gears than me. With the pace backing off I think that allowed Rhodes to build 10 mins on us and maybe allowed Jimmy catch up by the end of the 112 miles. It was then left to the marathon to sort the pegging order.

For the first time ever I just felt fresh hitting the run, I new I had a sub 3 marathon in me but never expected a 2:48 on that run profile. Because I’m a smaller athlete than the other guys this course just really suited me in both the bike a run - gravity wouldn’t be working against me as much as the others

We both knew we were running Rhodes down as every time check we seem to eat minuets into his lead then it slowed, he was responding. I think we took 3-4 mins out of his 10 min lead in the first 3-4 miles. At that stage I thought it was possible to catch him and it could be a Brit win whether myself or Stephen.

Starting the run Stephen got 20 sec or so on me and I chased it down pretty quickly and went for the pass, he looked as though he was struggling but then he sat on my shoulder and responded I could hear his breathe. For the first 2 internal loops he pretty much stayed on the back of my feet apart from one of the aid stations where he passed me as I got coke and water this kind of incensed me and I went back ahead of him again, I noticed on climb sections I was getting daylight from him but he responded each time to catch up with me after noticing this I then pushed every hill that little bit extra and finally broke free of him after my 4th or 5th attempt. This was just after leaving the Estate at mile 8 or 9 I think.

It wasn’t until I was heading out on the first lap of Babylon hill on the highway I made 1st visual sight of Rhodes, I knew then I had him. On the return loop at mile 14-16 I was 20 metres from catching him, that’s when Rhodes calf pulled. It was only going to be the next min or so I was going to pass him anyway. I then passed and gave him a tap, I knew his race for the win was over and wouldn’t be able respond. Bayliss I think was about 30- 40 sec back at this point. That then became my only concern with 10 miles or so to go

At the turn around point heading back into the highway for the second time I was I was surprised how Stephen got back so close maybe a 20 sec gap, this was the part of the race where I had to dig deep as the wind was in my face and it was starting to get to me. On the turn around at Babylon hill I re-established maybe a min or so on him I then felt good again and then executed the same approach as I did at the start of the race which was push the hills to make bigger time gains. I can’t say I wasn’t nervous but the last 3 miles I kept saying where’s Stephen, even though I was being told I was well clear I just didn’t believe it then it was just a matter of keeping my focus and not do anything silly.

Then hitting the Sherborne estate making my way into the blue carpet was just immense. I couldn’t believe it crossing the line and theowing my fists in the air I then went for the Badmann type celebration after all how often does this sort of thing happen.

I apologised to Bella for beating Stephen later when I found out she won. Stephen had his best ever race & marathon so It has a hard grafted win. I kind of ruined the joint couple win but on the a Scottish & Aberdeenshire note couldn’t of been scripted better, Bella is from a Tarland, a village 20 miles from where I’m from in Aberdeen. I’m friends with both Bella and Stephen and I waited for Stephen to finish giving him an embrace. Until this year the best Brit finish was Stephen’s 5th place 2 years ago. To have Brits place 1 & 2 was pretty cool. I was then ushered off for interviews otherwise I would have waited for Jimmy 3rd placed elite. I apologised to Jimmy later. He’s another great athlete, a monster on the bike when he won the Lisboa ½ back in May. It was good to see him enjoy the finish celebrations as much as I when we stayed back for the final finishers giving out Ironman merchandise to the crowds. With a name like Jimmy Johnsen you’d be easily mistaken for a Scotsman having said that with a name like Scott Neyedli you’re not really sure where to start.

What’s Next

Well obviously my plans have totally changed I’ve therefore unfortunately decided to withdraw from the Vitruvian as next stop Ironman Hawaii

More immediate plans are to rest, marshal at the my local Fleet Feet Kids triathlon this Sunday at Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire then play it by ear to get back into light training to prepare for the big island from camp Aberdeen.

2008 rough Race Plan: Provisional Outline

I'll take Nov & Dec as down time to recharge for next season. I'd then like to get some base training in New Zealnad from Jan-March, Epic camp has been talked about then IM New Zealnad (March), return to the UK, IM Lanzeroti (May), maybe train from my parents house in Kelowna, Canada and do some of Joe Dixons races (IM Canada race director) over summer & IMUK (Aug) and see how the ITU World / Euro long dist champs fall into the diary then maybe a 101 event or 70.3 if they fit right. You don’t really know with injuries etc

Hears to a bright future

Scott

Ironman Trivia: British Male Official Ironman Winners

Matt Bellfield - Ironman Lanzaroti 1999

Spencer Smith – Ironman Florida 2001, Ironman Brazil 2002

Simon Lessing – Ironman Lake Placid 2005

Scott Neyedli – Ironman UK 2007 (1st Scotsman)

Ironman UK 2007 Media coverage Various Links:

BBC - Ironman UK Triathlon 2007

BBC - Ironman UK race in rural backdrop

British Triathlon -Ironman UK wins for Neyedli and Comerford

Tri Scotland Bulletin

Planet X - Scott Neyedli Wins Ironman UK

Planet X - Scott's Ironman UK ergomo download

Zero2Hero -Scott wins IMUK !!!!!!

Fleet Feet stars win Ironman UK - 19 Aug 2007

TRI247 - Weekend roundup

Born2Run - Neyedli and Comerford bag Scottish double in Dorset

Ironman South Africa News Room - 2007 Ironman SA Top 10 finishers, Men's and Ladies, take first place at Ironman UK

Ironman New Zealand News Room - Rhodes suffers with calf injury at Ironman UK Dorset

Inside Triathlon - Scots Bella Comerford and Scott Nyedeli win tough Ironman UKt

Scots Bella Comerford and Scott Nyedeli win tough Ironman UK

Triathlon: Britain’s Ironcouple take first and second at UK Ironman

220 - Three Brits on Ironman UK podium

Spire FM - Ironman Update

Scott Neyedli wint Ironman van Groot-Brittannië

L'IM d'Angleterre déjoue les pronostics

Dubbele Schotse winst in Ironman UK

Ironman UK

IRONMAN UK: Schottische Siege in Sherborne

Stunning results at Ironman UK

Dubbele Schotse winst in Ironman UK

Triathlon: Impsport consolidates it’s tri-hard reputation

Ironman UK Champion 2007 - 19 August 2007

Ironman UK 2007, England

1st 8:35:52 ***Course Record***

3.8km swim 180km bike 42.2km run

results

leaderboard

Ironman Live photos

ASI photos type 13 as bib no.

Ironman race cast

Ironman Media: Neyedli and Comerford win Ironman UK

Unbelievable I still havent landed back on earth.

I just wanted thank all my supporters out there for putting in and allowing me the opportunity to do this.

My aspirations were only ever to see how far I could go and to be totally honest not something I had forseen this early in my pro career - to achieve an Ironman win in my first season set a course record on home soil & the first brit to do so along with Bella in the womens race just doesnt script any better - What can say but awesome! off the hook, Wild even!

I've been pretty shattered as you can imagine and its just taken a lot of time to go through email and sort out my future plans.

Next stop Kona!!! Oct 13th - 13 is my lucky no. who knows

Incase anyone has tried texting me for some strange reason my mobile text function isn’t allowing me to receive or send texts, incase you think I’m rude in not replying.

Apart from drawing the No. 13 breaking my wetsuit zip pre swim start and 1 big boot in face on the swim I got it right.

Thanks Dave & Paul for coming out to support me from Zero2Hero, it helped me knowing what was happening in the race for time splits.

- Those 2 boys were some else - I have never seen 2 grown up men so pumped and hyper they were jumping up and down like 10 year kids getting there first candy bar! I still had 3 miles to go!and Stephen bearing down on me. If I didn’t win I don’t how they would of taken it.

I’m glad it meant just as much to them as it did to me. And all the other people that have there own funny story of how I effected them that day.

What can I say; I’m stil lost for words...

Thanks to Bert Mcintosh at MPH who has supported and actively promoted (and participates) in triathlon & kids participation in sport in the North East for many years (www.mphtriseries.co.uk ) - I know Bella too appreciated Berts help in her early stages of her triathlon career.

Just as big thanks to Dave, Paul & John the guys behind the Zero2Hero help a pro concept (www.zero2hero.co.uk ) to make the tangible finance available along with Berts help towards my associated triathlon costs that allowed my transition to an elite competitor possible since December last year.

Also to my family and friends that have helped in times of need, pulling strings & favours to the support and input from Fleet Feet (Kevin (my webman), Doug, Colin & Linda, Ian, Steve, Janette & and the gang) www.fleet-feet.com John Dargie & Tri Scotland for there input. www.tri-scotland.org -- I really appreciated Johns advice & help whilst I was sitting in my B&B alone not knowing what course of action to do when I sprained my ankle days before my first elite start at Ironman South Africa earlier this March.

Uncle Ron Coutts my Physio back home (ABERDEEN SPORTS THEREPY CLINIC) - not really my uncle but should be with all his help from treatment to nutrition advice this past 18 months.

My other associated sponsors Planet X (Dave, Andy, Julian) www.planet-x-bikes.com , Blueseventy (Ben) www.blueseventy.com , Run4it (Duncan & Alan) www.run-4-it.com with Saucony www.saucony.co.uk

, Alpine bikes (Jon, John, Tom & the workshop) www.alpinebikes.co.uk Sundog (Barney & Niki) www.sundogeyewear.co.uk & RGU Sport (Neil Brown & Philipo) www.rgu.ac.uk/rgusport/home/page.cfm

Whether through product or discount or service support or membership or company donations, all has helped in moving things forward to Sunday’s performance.

And anyone else I have missed.

*Oh big big thanks to the Tri UK Expo for getting that replacement Blueseventy Helix wetsuit to me race morning & to who ever delayed the race in car parking!! + Ironman staff & volunteers helpers!!!*

I thought it was a bold move to go full time in December and whether it was the right decision when you question yourself “are you doing the right thing”

I think the size of my smile which that I can’t seem to shake says it all.

My aspirations were only ever to see how far I could go in the Ironman world with a longer term strategy to win an official Ironman event one day but to do it in my first 8 months, win it on home soil in a course record & 1st male Brit/Scot to do it just makes it mean all the more.

And then for Bella taking home the woman’s title was something else.

I apologised to Bella beating Stephen but on Aberdeenshire, Scotland, GB aspect couldn’t of been scripted any better.

I’m always a pretty down to earth person as I know that looking at some the top athletes I have aspire to be like, its came on a much longer road hopefully this will be the catalos of more & better things to come if not it doesn’t matter its something I'll treasure for the rest of my life. Records are always there to be broken but a home nation 1st or should I say a double home nation 1st only comes round once.

Everbody knows I seem to attract carnage somehow especially when you draw No 13! break a wetsuit zip & take 1 big boot in face in the swim (see the pic on the photos released on the Ironman live site on my swim exit, not a pretty eye) still I’ll take it I had a great day and that’s what you need to win sometimes.

Thanks for the support guys

Scott

Ironman UK WINNER - 19 August 2007

This is not an entry by Scott, but one by his webmaster, as Scott is probably still wandering around Sherborne in his tri suit being congratulated on winning the Ironman UK race.

I am well chuffed for Scott, and can't wait for his account of the race, which will replace this article very soon.

In has absence however, I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate him, as it's obvious that this win is the product not only of massive talent, but also self belief, iron discipline and relentless hard work.

Kevin Adam

Ironman UK Final Count Down - 15th Aug 2007

Well I just had my last swim session this afternoon.

The training is done and dusted, I cant get any fitter, its just a matter of being patient, resting, watching the diet until carbo load time, then let the games begin Sunday morning.

I've been asked how I'll do quite a bit this past week. Its always a pretty hard question to answer, I know I'm as strong as ever, Im injury free, this is what I've trained for so I'm just looking to execute a solid incident free race and see what happens.

I know im cable of a top 5 finish and have the ability to podium. Its such a long race everybody knows anything can happen. What will be will be as they say.

I've had a quick look at the current start list and looks to be the biggest international field assembled for Sherborne. The big names that stick out to me are obviously Bryan Rhodes - 2005 winner, Danish mean machine on the bike Jimmy Johnsen (with a name like that he should be a jock), England's Stephen Bayliss and last years 4th place finisher Martin Matula.

I travel down to Sherborn tomorrow morning, if any you guys are down that way give us a shout.

There might be a live feed on the internet at www.ironmanlive.com - The race kicks off at 6am Sunday 19th august (UK time)

Ive posted on my Planet X blog x my ergimo downloads from my last 2 big rides in the past few weeks - the power values were a bit wonky but everything else recorded fine. To view you'll to down load the ergo viewer from the Ergimo website.

Scott Neyedli - Planet X Blog click my name on the right hand column

Ride 1 - 202km

This was a solo effort going From Aberdeen North through Old Meldrum, Turriff to Banff before hanging a left to take me through to the Huntly bypass over the hills to Lumsden then back to Aberdeen via Bridge of Alford & Lumphanan to Banchory & home. this was a very windy & cold rainy day.

Ride 2 - 213km

I had company for about the first hour & 1/2 taking a 10 min effort & 5 min recovery From Aberdeen to Dinnet on the North Deeside road before taking the hill pass over to Donside to Strathdon then the climb up to the lecht ski centre to Tomintoul, then back home through the Glenlivet estate to Dufftown to Huntly then back down the A97 to Aberdeen. Head wind up to Tomintoul, tail wind mostly all the way home, weather was a tropical for the North east - it was sunny & dry.

Press & Journal- TRIATHLON PAIR GEAR UP FOR CHALLENGE

Scott Neyedli: Camp Aberdeen Training Plan

Not long now until Im hitting my taper period for the UK Ironman event on the 19th. I plan reducing my sessions by about 20% this week then wind things right from this Thursday with exception of my swim sessions.

Everything is feeling good at the moment. My ankle gets a little sore and stiff in the morning and evenings from the early season sprain but Im back running in my best form all season.

I’ve pasted my Training Programme on my Planet X Blog for those interested in what I get up to.

The photo shot was from my last big ride out Tomintoul this past Sat - The 1st tropical day this summer that a sleeveless could be worn!

Scott

Scottish Olympic Distance (Non Draft) Championships - 21st July

Gullane Beach, Scotland

1st 2:16:05 (inc extra run milage)

1.5km sea swim 42km bike 10km run

Results - read diary to explain listing order & top 8 run split times

STA Bulletin

www.edinburghtri.org/gullane/

Press & Journal Article - Bad Luck Never Far Away From Scott

Born2Run Media Article - Neyedli wins despite going off track

I won my 2nd Scottish Open & Senior title this weekend at Gullane beach. This time the Olympic distance non draft Championship. Looking at the list of winners names Im the second Fleet Feet Club member to win this championship since John O Donavan winning top spot at the very first race in 1988.

Unfortunately I won’t be defending my Scottish middle distance ½ Iron title at Aberfeldy next month as I have the small business of Ironman UK the same weekend.

I don’t know what it is this past year but I think I’ve had just about every possible scenario thrown at me whether it’s through earthquake scares, forgetting essential race items, injuries, losing bikes in transit, being sick & for the 2nd time this season misdirected during there race.

I’ve been told by a friend that that I always seem to thrive in adversity this makes me wonder what I can do when everything goes right.

If anything I must have quite an interesting blog read, because this triathlon game just ain’t plain sailing.

Before I go onto my race report in I’ll briefly sum up what happened on the run

The top 8 or so front finishers including myself were all misdirected by a marshal which resulted in the run course being cut.

I was leading off the bike by just under a 2 mins time gap from a chase pace line of 4 during the bike leg. I realised what had happened once brought back to the car park just outside transition too early and started the run course again after trying to speak to one marshall then ran up towards another that flapping his hands in the air and did the full 2 loop circuit.

It was bold decision but I know I did the right thing.

Despite doing an extra 2-2.5km I was still the first official finisher over the line that completed the correct run course. The top 8 that had faster finishing times but well behind me off the bike basically did a cut / small loop and one proper loop that was 2-2.5k short of the mapped 10km run detailed in the race pack and discussed during the race brief before the start. The first 8 or so finishers were misdirected through no fault of there own carried onto the finish, not without confusion but still cut the course irrespectively.

Other competitors outside the top finishers completed the correct route as I spoke to another marshall when I started the run again on the part of the course that was cut on the first lap & shouted that the turnaround point needs someone there not to ruin the main field’s race.

When you ran through the gate (suppose to be the turn around) that we were directed to go through you then joined onto a another part of the course and carried on following the arrows.

The race:

This was 3rd time I’ve raced at Gullane beach and the sea conditions yesterday were by far the toughest I have ever raced at the event, I would say a very similar swell to the condition’s I experienced at Ironman south Africa at the start of the season.

With this being the case it suited the stronger swimmers to make bigger time gains than normal over the main field.

McNamee & S Fraser exiting the water 1st and then 40sec+ to Craig Dale and myself exiting 4th & 5th together

Leaving the shore you hit that brutal wee climb up to T1.

I had another shocker of a transition as I couldn’t spot my bike as I started stripping my wetsuit off in the rough area I knew my bike was in.

Heading out onto the 42km bike losing a little time in transition I wasn’t expecting to be back down as far as 5th. I stayed relatively calm and just started pounding a fairy high but comfortable watt output from my Erigimo computer. My cadence was pretty high and I was making good ground on the others just making sure I didn’t blow myself in the 1st 5-10k.

See Ergimo power download on my Planet X Blog Space

Coming out onto the longer country road stretches I could site 3rd and 4th not too far away and I could also see the front 2 maybe further 20-30 secs ahead. My game plan as I riding was to work my way up to the front by the top of the gradient climb section and then burn them off once back on the flat / ascent.

That’s pretty much what happened by the top of the climb. Dale was then leading with S Fraser & McNamee forming a wee pace line. I got to the front and rode right through them.

I trialled a set of Xenti hi mod race wheels as a tester before IMUK next month and they are by far the lightest set of wheels I’ve ever touched.

I found the handling really easy going and smooth over the roller hills & the sexiest thing about then is that Blue Thunder chopper noise you hear as you slice through the airflow. I am now a very big fan of Xenti.

Back to the race…coming off the bike I maintained a 329 watt power average with a cadence of 94 rpm .

I was in the lead by almost 2 mins from the chase pace line behind containing Dale, McNamee, S Fraser & Scobie. And then the afore mentioned stated earlier occurred.

The top 3 places were all compensated & agreed between the effected athletes that McNammee was Junior Champ, Dale U23 Champ and myself as Senior & Open Champ.

In these circumstances it’s a race director nightmare, it’s never a good situation between those involved with but It’s clear in my mind that I went by the right thing to do, took responsibility of my own race to restart lap 1 & finish the correct course & I know I was the best athlete out there on the day.

It’s all hear say as to what would of happened on the run but looking at the start list I was going in as favourite and there wasn’t anyone notable there that is as strong (maybe Graeme on good day) or a stronger runner than myself bearing in mind my lead time gap

With that said it’s Ironman I’m focussed on, it’s all about IMUK in Sherborne next month.

I’m just looking to execute a smooth race execution and be served normal coke on the marathon run!

Chow for now

Scott

PS With my lost bike turning up last Monay I have sent the sexy Scottish blue frame replacement back to Planet X - If theres any admirers out there get in touch with Planet X

www.planet-x-bikes.com

info@planet-x-bikes.com

Triathlon Lunch & Learn - 18th July

CNR International Lunch & Learn

At the invitation of CNR staff members who have entered the Alford activity mix triathlon next month, I was asked to give lunch and learn about my training and racing experiences since taking up the sport and also give advice & tips about there training & race plans towards there corporate challenge.

As you can see its all simple mathematics

www.cnrl.com

www.activitymix.com

4 weeks too Late! - 17th July

Look what arrived this afternoon

Back on the Road Again - 16th July

Still Lost in Transit:

I pretty much lost hope of finding my bike kit that went missing on my connect flight to Brachaat for the Euro champs over 3 weeks ago.

However I pulled a favour from a relative who works fairly high in BA, that’s looked into the matter for me and been able to track the tag to Milan!

This sounds great but its in amongst another 20, 000 baggage items that went missing and trucked there during my week of travel...Fingers crossed it will be recovered in the next couple of weeks.

I just want to thank Dave, Julian, Andy & the Planet X team for getting a replacement bike sent up to Aberdeen this weekend. I’ve had my first test drive this afternoon and feels like home - The spanking new Scottish blue coat is very sexy!

Race Update:

I’m racing the Scottish National Olympic distance Tri Champs this weekend and will hopefully do some real damage there.

The event is held at Gullane beach just outside Edinburgh. Its involves a 1500m 2 lap sea swim with probably one of the hardest T1 & 10k runs your gonna do in the sport. The course entails climbing & descending some pretty horrible sand dunes!

At last years event I placed 2nd behind now fellow Planet X team mate Gordo after leading him through the swim & bike before surrendering the lead early on in the run.

My aim is obviously to go one better this year and pick up my 2nd national title.

Training:

I’m not long into my epic training volume preparation towards my season goal race IMUK.

Training will be steadily building up from 30-40hrs / week over the next few weeks before winding things down.

This Saturdays big ride involved tackling 220km over some of Grampians mountain countryside - going from Aberdeen to Balmoral castle before climbing over to Donside & Lecht ski centre then nipping to Tomintoul (highest town in the UK) for soup & sandwich and then returning home through the Glenlivet estate. Thanks for the company Ian.

Chow for now

Scott

Anyone Seen My Bike - Reward Offered - 5th July

I’m lost without my tools of work

I still haven’t located my bike and I’m very rapidly losing my faith and patience that BA will ever find it.

If anyone can assist in it's location ie should any suspect kit kind find its way onto ebay auctions or similar sites get in touch as Planet X are offering a reward.

Apart from the inconvenience affected on race day & possible earnings lost it has also affected my world selection as well as additional time off training trying to sort out the mess. Needles to say Im a pretty P*ssed off person at moment.

The bike & wheels are worth a lot of money including substantial top end kit I purchased myself that I can’t afford to replace.

I’m a bit fed up of chasing phone calls filling out claim forms so if anyone can help finding the bike it would be appreciated.

The only other items not listed in the links below were the light weight Tune titanium skewers and Fizik Arione Tri Saddle (silver/black).

VERY VERY HOT BIKES - Have You Seen Them?

Lost in Transit

25ste Triathlon Vlaanderen ITU European Triathlon Long Distance Championship - 24th June

Brasschaat, Belgium

22nd 3:55:21, Team Silver Winner

3km swim 80km bike 20km run

Results

Press media - Lost Bike Had Silver Lining for Neyedli

BTF Media

Tri 247 Round up

I managed to race at the weekend in the end and placed 22nd, not within my own expectations of nailing a top 10 finish but I had the comfort of knowing afterwards that my finish secured the Men’s team event silver medal (top 3 males position from one country).

The airline lost my bike kit on the connecting flight at Heathrow on the way over to Belgium last Thursday and I wasn’t sure of a start until Saturday night when I managed to get a borrow of a local females road bike which I was able to slap some triathlon bars onto.

It wasn’t the best of preparations not knowing if i was able to race and then charging about with Brad & Brendan (GB team manager & Nirvana travel) trying to source a bike, helmet, shoes & cleats until 7pm Sat night & then adjusting the settings as close as possible to my dimensions.

I just want to thank everyone that helped me out from the GB support & the ITU / Belgium race staff to my unofficial 1 day bike sponsor AA Drinks.

Having a heavier non tri specific bike with regular spoked wheels made an interesting approach to racking Sunday morning as everybody else was shining up there fancy carbon fibre frames, disc & deep rim wheels…I was just really glad to be able to start.

The chicks seat saddle was little hard to bear on the bumps at times but I managed to get through the bike all right and all bits in tact.

My race started well coming out the water in 10th playing it conservatively after getting knocked about from the 70.3 the weekend before. I dropped back into the 2nd pace line of athletes by the end of the bike leg and could only but watch Colting & Gambles pace line break free at 20km to catch the leaders and then slipped back from about 15th place to 22nd position by the end of the run.

I didn’t run well from the go, having slightly heavy legs from the UK 70.3 and maybe working a heavier bike but I also had problems feeling a sharp nerve pains in my left heal.

GB physio, Alex diagnosed the route problem being the slightly over sized cycle shoes resulting in my left planta fascia enflaming during the cycle leg.

I carried on through the run having some bad spells at the beginning and then running more fluently on the 2nd and 3rd lap.

If anything It was a good learning experience and I still took confidence that I was up there with Schellens (someone I aspire to in Ironman) going into the run.

I’ll be back next year when ITU put the championship back to a mans distance again (4km swim 120km bike 30km run). Selection for the World's in Lorient is in doubt as it relied on the weekends performance so all training will be geared to peak at IMUK in August & I’ll most likely enter the Scottish National Tri champs in July.

My bike, aero helmet & cycle shoes are still somewhere in the Heathrow black hole between terminals 1 & 4?

I may be sponsored by Planet X, but Dimension X has claimed the bike!!

VERY VERY HOT BIKES - Have You Seen Them?

UK Ironman 70.3 - 17th June 2007

Wimbleball, England

7th 4:34:39

1.9km swim 90km bike 21.1km run

Results

Google TV UK 70.3 - Tri247

ASI Photography

STA Media News

Planet X Diary

Nick Saunders Race Report - Tri247

Got to say a big Congrads to both Cat Morrison taking the Euro Duathlon title in Edinburgh on Saturday and to Fraser winning the the UK 70.3.

An awesome weekend for the Scots!

My race was a little short in my own expectations not making top 5 but still content overall.

I seem to have some sort of up hill struggle with my races of late, but to be honest this one went without major incident.

As far as race profiles go, Wimbleball is definitely one of the most challenging, lots of steep climbs and descents in both the bike and run portions.

Weather conditions were dry & overcast with 6am start time. This was not the most social of hours, but off we went.

From the first 50m of the start I managed to get pinned by 2 competitors and was boxed in until the first turn of the triangle. By this point the front pack swimmers had broke free while I was still left to fighting it out with one of the swimmers in the 2nd pack. I was quite frustrated as every time I swam 2 – 3m to left to find free water he kept coming back over onto my shoulder which wasn’t doing anyone any good and got a little physical.

On second triangle turn I managed to break free to find clear water and worked my up to the next swimmer stranded from the front group.

Exiting 2nd out the water of the 2nd pack you were greeted by what seemed like a ½ mile climb up to bike transition tent - no kidding it was brutal!

My transition was pretty awful and spent the next ½ hour so working my way thought the field to make up the 8 positions or so I dropped behind in T1.

Not far into the 2nd lap a pace line had formed with 4 others before heading into run.

With another poor transition I was last out of the tent from the this group. I think Bayliss, Le Brun & Saunders had already made 20 secs or so on me in tent and I was only able to pick off one athlete out at about 2/3 miles into the half marathon.

I then pretty much consolidated and held my position through until the end.

I’ll get 2 days training before flying to Belgium for the Euro Long distance champs on Thursday. This will be my first GB cap so I’m looking forward to wearing the red, white and blue.

Oh this was bizarre in the space of 3 days I now know 2 people with the same birthday as me, Ali from Metro run club and UK 70.3 Champ Fraser - 16th June note for the diary.

Scott

Just noticed Persona have released the Oliver 1/2 Iron race highlights on a U tube feed Ive put links in my Odds & Ends section

Click CH18 Media Coverage: Oliver ½ Iron Highlights Parts 1, 2 & 3 June 2007

I appear few times in part 1 (the only guy in blue Speedos). My winning finish is at the very end of Part 2 and the start of part 3

The Running Shop Beach 10k - 12th June 2007

Aberdeen, Scotland

2nd 34:42

Results

I got home Monday afternoon from Canada and saw this race was on the next evening and entered to stretch my legs from travel.

Ive checked my previous 10km results (all 4 of them). A PB and in a cold windy day.

Born2Run Article

4th Annual Persona Oliver Half Iron Triathlon - 4th June 2007

Oliver, Canada

1st 4:22:05

2km swim 93km bike 21.1km run

Did anyone mention the heat? Forget Kona - hit the Oliver Half Iron for a Heat Beating 37C !

Results

Outback Events Website

Diary / Race Report

Oliver 1/2 Iron race highlights

Ive put links in my Odds & Ends section

Click CH18 Media Coverage: Oliver ½ Iron Highlights Parts 1, 2 & 3 June 2007

I appear few times in part 1 (only guy in Speedos). My finish is at the very end of Part 2 and the start of part 3

Action Photos taken by TPS Sports Photos - Bib no. 30 & scroll to page bottom

CH 18 Finish Line Interview

www.personainc.ca

See Odds & Ends section for more CH 18 race media coverage

Articles - Press & Journal

Articles - Penticton Herald

Articles - Sun FM

CH 18 Pre Race Media Coverage

Oliver Half Iron winners 2007

Peach 1/2 Marathon - 20th May 2007

Penticton, Canada

3rd 1:16.44

Results

Penticton Herald

Penticton Western News

I was almost set to withdraw from the race due to my blisters not healing as hoped… that was until Dave Kirk (1986 Ironman Canada Champion) suggested cutting the heals out of an old of an old pair of runners whilst attending his Wednesday morning brick session at the track.

With the need of running miles I went to the mall, bought the cheapest trainers I could find, cut the backs off with using my dads hacksaw & Stanley knife then adapted the idea by adding some elastic bands to hook round the laces and then around my back of my feet - Not ideal but it worked!

cutting edge prototype shoes

Action Photos taken by TPS Sports Photos - Bib no. 45 & scroll to page bottom

Barebones Duathlon - 12th May 2007

BC Province Championship, Penticton, Canada

1st - **Set Course Record** (new course layout)

results

Penticton Herald

Western News, Penticton

1hr 24 min 52 sec

5km run 32km bike 5km run

I had another good day out & settled in at Kelowna with my mum late Monday night.

The terrain of what I’ve seen looks quite similar to parts of Scotland, just a little bigger, nicer weather and instead of seeing “Beware of Red Squirrel” signs out Strathdon way there's “Beware of Bear” hazards!

It was quite a hot day just above the mid 20's so not too bad.

Almost 160 athletes raced the course which consisted of a 3 lap 5km run around Skaha Beach area before mounting the bikes down the length of Skaha Lake with a short climb up McClean Creek Road before coming back into a head wind along the lake side road again to embark on another 3 laps around the beach area.

I was 3rd coming into T1 and worked to make up the time gap to the top 2 after 10-15 mins into the bike leg before eventually going into T2 in 2nd place. I dropped briefly to 3rd at the start of the 2nd run before going into the lead 1/2 way through the 1st lap of 3 and built and maintained a 15-20 sec time gap from the other 2 runners chasing behind.

I was aiming for a top 3 finish in around the 1hr 25 mark so pretty much spot on for my predictions and finding some running strength again.

I managed to open up my heal blisters on both feet again and think I was the only one in the medi tent afterwards to get treatment - the things you do.

I wasn’t expecting to get the microphone at the awards presentation to say a few words of thanks or whether the locals could understand my Scotch accent but I forgot to thank the medi staff for cleaning up my feet, better late than ever as they say and a little extra cash to treat my mum to dinner tomorrow as it’s mothers day over here.

The sports complex I have a month pool pass has a nice out door track so I think I'll be doing some bare foot work outs there for the next couple of weeks to allow them to properly heal... having said that I'll be back to Penticton next Sunday to test my legs in the Peach half Marathon.

some action photos

ergimo

PS Check out the trailer link in my odds & ends section (Links page) for the upcoming July movie release "The Flying Scotsman" based on Graeme Obree's legendary cycling career.

Braemar Duathlon - 6th May 2007

1st Overall - New Course Record

results

British Quadrathlon Association media race report

35 mile bike 10 mile run 13 mile bike

Great day, perfect conditions, with a tale pushing me along it defiantly aided the cause.

I began light runs last week after the ligment tear problems, just lacking running miles at the moment, with new training shoes & replacement orthotics in the last week, bad blisters are hampering things somewhat.

Todays race was to see what was in the tank, so overall very happy.

-Tactics were to smash the bike to see whats in the engine as it were

Overall Time was 2 hr 38 min ish – results TBC tonight

Ive raced the course once before when last held in 2005 and reckon a 27 min PB aint a bad thing.

Better get back to packing my bag, Im off to Kelowna, Canada to train for the next month & planning some high milage stuff.

I will be staying at my folks house so should be a cheap venture & a good chance to check out the tri scene out there.

I managed to get an entry for the Oliver 1/2 (1/2 Ironman dist & feeder race to Ironman Canada) to check my progress at the end of my trip.

Scott

Born2Run article - Neyedli in record breaking form

Fleet Feet Report

Bike data Stats from the ergimo:

Kids Banchory Academy Triathlon (Invitational)- 22nd April 2007

At the invitation of Bert McIntosh, I was asked to attend Banchory Academy and join in with the children and their families for the annual Family Triathlon. Over 70 kids took part individually or as part of a team. The kids ranged from Primary 7's to 3rd year secondary pupils.

The race consisted of a 400m pool swim, 10km bike and 3km run. With an excess of BlueSeventy race kit arriving the other week I donated a beanie hat, T-shirt & a set of goggles into the raffle.

I have to say the bike & run course was no walk over and added to that some top local talent, It wasn’t a free ride... It’s been a while since I’ve raced something this explosive and felt a bit ill at the finish.

After the race when I pulled myself together I presented a small talk with Questions & Answers about triathlon.

The children all asked sensible questions, 'What is you bike made of?' etc, but afterwards they confided that all they really wanted to know was 'Where do you go to the toilet during a nine hour race?'

You'll be glad to know I didn't let on about my Longest Day experiance in 2005 .

The local constabulary also took part. Eight of them raced, alone or in teams. Police tactics on the day were questionable as I was stopped for speeding on my bike before leaving the transition area, and spent 10 minutes explaining who owned the bike.

Thanks to Lesley Bayle of Banchory Academy for putting on the race and letting us join in the fun.

Race results

7th Ironman South Africa - 18th March 2007

I didn’t quite have the race week preparation I intended to because of the ligament tear I suffered 1 week from race day. But overall really happy with the final result considering…

My main aim was always to make top 10 in my first pro start off a cold Scottish winter early season and I still achieved that.

The start was very flat for me and I didn’t really get going until ½ through the swim which was understandable because I hadn’t done any exercise for a week, but not before getting beaten up by a pack of age groupers off the bang.

How was the race - A very tough day at the office you could say and I did suffer and wont dwell on the point that there were big sea swells and 35 knot winds to contend with….but making the start line was my major concern all race week.

I spent my 6 day lead up in my Port Elizebeth B&B resting my foot as much as possible and when I wasn’t at the physio I was icing and self treating with hot & cold foot baths.

I didn’t become confident of a swim/bike start until Friday afternoon but the the marathon run I never really knew whether I was going to weight bare until race day.

Its all in the past now and proud that I made the finish line.

Ive just got to put out thanks to Jeannette and her parents Louis & Annette for helping me out whilst training outside Capetown, Kerry from Sophie Chandler & Assosiates Physiotherpists in PE for getting me to the start line, Cliff & Lea from the Beachwalk B&B whilst in PE and also John Dargie, Zero2Hero, Planet X, MPH and friends sending there support whilst I was out there when I wasnt sure of what was going to happen.

Ironman South Africa Race Start

Ironman South Africa Press Releases

Born2Run article - Comerford and Neyedli to the fore in South Africa

BTF News- Scots Success in South Africa Ironman

STA News - Scottish Success in Ironman South Africa

Tri 247 archive - IMSA update

Planet X News - Scott Neyedli - Ironman South Africa - Updated with race report

Zero2Hero Race News - Zero2Hero at Ironman South Africa

6th Durbanville Pharmacy Dan Luyt 15KM, South Africa - Feb 2007

Nice wee race outside Cape Town to test the legs in South Africa. Legs were a little tired at the start from the afternoon's 3 1/2 hr bike ride. I Moved from 8th or 9th position to 6th position by the finish and just ran out of road to pick another spot. Never sweated so much in my life, at least I know what to expect come March 18th.

results

2 Weeks acclimatisation training in Sommerset West

Fleet Feet Life Membership - Feb 07

Just before I left for South Africa I was asked to attend the Wednesday night turbo session at Stonehaven to say hello to some old friends I hadn't seen in a while and show them the Hawaii finishers medal and 3rd place award I won last October.

I was flattered to then be awarded with club life membership and presented with an engraved ashet in recognition of my achievements in 2006.

Bert McIntosh was also presented with this award for his continuous contribution and generosity that he has put into North East's sporting community.

Without the backing of such individuals like Bert the sport wouldn’t be what it is and a true gentleman in every sense of the word.

220 Male Age Group Triathlete of the Year - Feb 2007

Scott Neyedli - Men's Age-Group Triathlete of the Year

Scott Neyedli - Men's Individual Performance of the Year runner-up

The 20 winners of this year's 220 Triathlon Awards were announced on Saturday 10 Feb at the glittering ceremony held at Sandown Park.

Former World Cycling Champion and World Hour Record Holder Graeme Obree kicked off the evening with a memorable speech detailing his inspirational story. And then it was on to the prize giving.

220 winners list

Planet X team mates do well

Planet X Article - More Sucess at 220 awards

Graeme Obree World Hour Record 1993

The Flying Scotsman Trailer - release date July 2007

BlueSeventy Swim Zone: Triathlon Cycling & Running Show - 10th/11th Feb 2007

Over 5,000 people attandeed the 2007 TCR show over the weekend of the 10th and 11th Feb.

The next TCR will take place on the 9th and 10th February in 2008

Blueseventy SwimZone: Scheduled demonstrations by Swim for Tri covered swim technique and stroke efficiency. Visitors had an opportunity to watch myself and James Parker being put through the paces at the Endless Pool.

TCR programme of events

Zero2Hero at TCR

220 triathlon awards 2007 wetsuit of the year

James Parker Zero2Hero Team Mate In the Tank

Testing my body to destruction

V02 Max testing in the lab with John Dargie at the Institute of Sport, Stirling University

Team Planet X in Peak District - Dec 2006

With Spencer over in Europe for 3 weeks working on his S2 clothing range Planet X decided it was a good time for the 2007 athletes to meet up for a bit of Winter sun on the peak district roads.

Spencer Smith, Michael Goehner, Catriona Morrison, Scott Neyedli, Sergio Marques & Hywel Davies

Meeting Spencer Smith

Planet X Team Ride

Planet X Stealth - Dec 2006