Zen and the Art of Pacing

Kat Matthews looked to have climbed from the canvas for a thrilling comeback victory in the recent Pho3nix Sub8 Project. But the reality belies a more introspective approach to pacing we can all learn from

- By Tim Heming

Once a pass happens late in an iron distance marathon, the vanquished rarely recovers. So, for any fan of the sport, the drama towards the end of the Pho3nix Foundation’s Sub8 Project was something to treasure.

In the closing kilometres on the DEKRA Lausitzring in east Germany, both Nicola Spirig and Kat Matthews were already destined to break the Sub8 mark; the remaining challenge was for victory.

When the London 2012 winner ran down the Brit, the tenacious Ironman World Champs runner-up rallied for the win. It was a stirring spectacle.