3. Preparatory weekend in a row

Past weekend I threw myself into the third and final series of preparation races.

On Saturday I started at the Trumer Triathlon over the Short (Olympic) Distance (1.5 km swim, 37.5 km bike run with 675HM and 10.5 mi – 60HM), where also the Austrian National Championships were held. Strict competition was expected, being that national highlight for most of the 23 competitors a major event of the year. Because championships are held as “drafting free” races, I had – as less good swimmer – from the beginning no say at all. And, it was summer. Launched at 1pm at approx. 30 degrees in the 23 degrees warm Trumer Lake also meant a wetsuit-ban. In principle, I do not care, the conditions are the same for everyone, but good swimmers have here less disadvantage.

Anyway, I threw myself with full energy into the water and felt good … But the feeling can sometimes be deceiving. Only after a whopping 33min I got as 19te out of the water. For this reason I put lots of pressure on the 3 bike-laps (220m a.d. each) and despite the sole drive (the top swim group was drafting away), I move forward to position 11 when entering T2. However, that battle on the bike made running a nightmare and I wasn’t able to develop the usual pace for Short distance. With 50min for roughly 11k I stay far beyond my expectations, but slipped right into a “safety-run” when realizing that there is no danger to position 12 behind. At k10 I caught up with a runner and thus came after 2:43 as 10.femal overall across the finish line. The last two disciplines, I managed as 6 best times overall. A great hunt! .

In the early evening, right after the race I went back from Austria to Franconia to THAT Triathlon event of the year, the Challenge Roth. My mission was a relay entry as swimmer over the 3,8k long route; the far more important race of that weekend! On the one hand side, you want to excel for your relay partners, on the other side, it was a brilliant test for my first long distance race next year; i.e. full competition against myself. Based on the solid swimming performance at 70.3 Mallorca and Bamberg I had planned a time of 1:10, which compared to the previous year, would have been an increase of about 6min (30/08/13 Fuschlseecrossing 4.2 km in 1:24h)

Finally, it took me 1:19h ; far beyond any expectations. After the first bitter disappointment I had reviewed the last 2 hardworking weeks and three consecutive race weekends, realized that I haven’t done any specific long distance training and was again just happy to be involved and to enjoy the day at Challenge Roth. Crossing the finish line at 8.05pm with my relay partners developed quite some goose bumps! I also learned thereafter, that all swimming times have been worse today in the Main- Danube Canal; as there was an emergency sluicing that night. Makes life a bit easier 🙂