Sam Long targeting two major T100 races after season break to resolve personal problems

Despite a brilliant start to the season so far, PTO World #1 Sam Long has said issues in his personal life impacted his preparations for the San Francisco T100.

The American, who was meant to fly to Australia for IRONMAN Cairns this weekend, cancelled that trip after struggling on the West Coast last weekend.

Now taking a two week break, the Boulder native has shared his thoughts on the first half of 2024 and identified the races he will be targeting in the second part of the season.

“Life is bigger than triathlon”

In his most recent YouTube video, the ‘Big Unit’ shared his thoughts on his eighth place finish in San Francisco, which was the first time he has finished off the podium in 2024.

[Photo Credit – PTO]

“Off the streak I’ve been having, that’s not good at all, but if you look at the margins of the race, I was +2:10 behind in 8th and in both the races I was second in, I was about 90 seconds back.

“This race was a super cool race, there’s no race like this and I think what we did in the T100 pro race was super cool.

“Now I’m on a break, which was the original plan, and I’m dealing with some of the personal things that have come up to have a clear mental space and be happy in our household.

“Life is bigger than a triathlon, life is harder than a triathlon, and the first focus is getting all these things in a better and more comfortable place and then getting the training and the racing back.” 

Plans and silver linings

Looking ahead to the rest of the year, Long will chase a first T100 victory on home turf in Lake Las Vegas, before turning his attention to the Grand Final at a to be confirmed location.

“I have my eyes on both Vegas and the Grand Final, those are the two biggest races coming up and the ones that will determine the success of the season, before that I will be taking two weeks off before the next stop in London.” 

Reflecting on the past six months, Long took pride in his performances, which resulted in six podiums and two wins at IRONMAN 70.3 Pucon and St. George.

“I’m super happy with the overall progress of the season, it is my best season to date, I’ve executed so much and I’m really happy to keep building and reset.”