10.07. – European Champhionship Geneva – Hunts :)
After a very successful start into the season at national races the day came, to grapple again with international competition. I don’t want to underestimate the three overall victories at the competitions in Augsburg, Bad Tolz and Königsbrunn and the German championship Titel (AG35) on the sprint distance, but I’m a person who very much measures itself from time to time at the highest level.
As illness – or more the lack of preparation – required the cancellation of the ITU long-distance World Cup in Motala I decided, along with my coach Wenke Kujala, to participate at the Sprint and Olympic distance European Championships in Geneva (09-12.07.2015). Actually, those two formats are less of an advantage to me, because of my swimming performance (in comparison: in a half distance race the increase run-k’s are over-proportional higher than the 400 more meters of swim); but actually my running form is on top. In addition, I have never been to Geneva, so the trip should be worthwhile!
The adventure started Wednesday afternoon right after work. The approximately 5.5-hour drive to my homestay in Commugny (20km north of Geneva) went smoothly, where I have been greeted more than cordial by the family Bissig-Gallegos. Very big thanks to Monica and Stephan and their 4 “girls”, which are the initiators of the charity organization Help for Hope (one or the other may have heard the term via me before)!
The day after already a full schedule: registration, race briefing, photo session with the national union (DTU), check-in, last training session and the official opening with the Nations Parade. Belonging to the DTU age group national team gives yet another special touch (participation in international championships run on nomination criteria).
The first competition via the sprint distance (750m swim, 20km cycling and 5km running) took place on Friday, 10.07. at 11:30am and was seen as the “warm-up” for the olympic distance on Sunday (start from 6.30am). There is no obligation to contest both races, for me personally it was, however, a good stress test for the rest of the season. Temperatures around 30 degrees but with a constant small wind endurable; for me as heat-resistant person 🙂
What was my goal? Per se no podium, the competition too stellar, but good individual times in the respective disciplines; if then a top10 then jumps out, I would be – of course – very happy!
The course of both races was roughly the same (in laps, sometimes larger, sometimes smaller). The bike course had something thrilling with its approx. 1km long, wave-like rise at Chemin de l’impatrice. Just when one thinks you are on top, there comes another ramp (sprint 3*, Olympic 2*). The corresponding descent was very fast and in the course of the competition due to the number of athletes on the course (about 2000) very demanding.
The sprint distance kicked off terrific. As usual a hunt: 10th. (AG) out of water, and with the 4th best bike and the best run split (3.57min/km) up to 5th place (of 27); 21st overall female. The race was not “all out” and broadly seen (with regards to the 2nd race) still relatively easy. I started very happy into the Olympic distance. The competition changed, new “athletes came on top and 3 of the girls placed in front of me at the sprint (including my German teammate Fraenzi Fleck, which won the bronze medal), took part again. Therefore, the whole thing was supposed to be much harder!
I thought … Again, the process of the race was similar to the Sprint. As 15th out of the water and then domaining the field from the back (8th after the bike). I really, really enjoyed the last kilometers on the run course; great feeling to start for your “own” country. It got thrilling at km 9.1. I didn’t know my ranking by that time, just sensed another potential top 5., when I was catching up on a Norwegian girl. We had a tough fight for about 500 meters and then I let her go as I misinterpreted the bib on her arm (thought she was AG30). Well, she’s got it, with a Finish Line Sprint it would have been enough to place 4 because we ultimately only were 10 ” apart!
Regardless, again very happy with a 5th 5 (of 34 – overall 27/214) in a great time of 2:19 !!
Between this 4-day “Marathon”, I had plenty of time, to enjoy the flair of the city – and especially the view of the Mont Blanc – and to soak up another great experience! The whole thing is then still “only” vacation and the fun and pleasures shall not be neglected under any circumstances!
Resume
Had lots of fun, but now I am looking forward again to do the „long stuff“, where I can bring in much better my running performance. Very glad with my bike performance and with only 3.5 years of swimming so far, nothing more I can do about it 🙂
One very last word to the “Finisher-Buffet” of an official European Championship consisting off Water, Apples, Oranges and Bananas: Just WOW !!
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