10.8 – European Championship Wiesbaden
Well, what shall I still say? WHAT a YEAR !!
Yesterday took in Wiesbaden – with the 70.3 European Championship over the half distance – my first seasonal highlight place.
What did I expect? After the already respectful finish at the sprint/olympic-EC in geneva, I wished for something similar over my preferred distance.
After a stressful drive to Wiesbaden on Friday (6.5 instead of 4h), I inspected the race course on Saturday (with the car!). 90k with approx 1500 high meters! Not called EC for any reason! Once you think, “that’s it”, yet another hill”s approaching. My resume though: looking forward, as I am loving hilly courses!
The run course, by the way, similar demanding: 4*5.5k through the “Wiesbadener Kurpark” with roundabout 160 high meters. Each round 2.5k up, then down a short lap through the event area and then all over again!
Sunday: Raceday approached. The weather changed luckily slightly from about 35-40 degrees the days before to just under 30 with some clouds. At least during the bike part; whilst running, the sun came out. Murphy’s Law!
So, my race: I get often lead by times from the previous years. Top5 would have meant an end time of about 5.10-5.15h. However every race is from year to year different (conditions, course chances)! I went into the water and swum not too bad, but again below my capabilities (14. from 30 starters in 37’). I didn’t derail from my motivation at that time, knowing that I can ride and run! I couldn’t though rely on my power data whilst cycling (as the technique failed), so I had to trust my feelings and hence cycled – probably too – carefully as I didn’t want to sacrifice my current running competence. I felt good on the bike, however with 3.11h (7 best time) 10′ over my plan for THIS course! I changed my top 5 goal in the meantime to top 10…
Hence, I started the running slightly irritated but thought: “the bill will be settled at the end” and activated my Swiss clock work: all 4 laps in constant 23′. My confidence came back once Michelle Vesterby (Pro athlete) went into her 4th lap as I started my second. That would mean, my end time would be only 45′ after a Pro what would also be a good end position (from experience is a final time under 1h after the first female a podium in my age group).
That’s how it worked out. After a running time of 1.33h (2. Best) and I total time of 5.27h I crossed as 3rd in my age group and 25the female overall the finish line at European Championships!
very happy thereafter with my both supporters Julia and Jörg !
Resume: extreme wicked and probably my biggest victory so far. The story might be different next year in my first “AG40” year.
With this achievement I secured for the 2nd time in my career a slot for the World Championships (already for 2016) which will take place on 05.09.2016 at the Sunshine Coast in Australia. Wahoo! If I am then travelling at this time to another „big Island“ on this world will arise out of my Long-distance Debut on 05.06.2016 at Ironman Nice 🙂 Yes, I am having big goals and plans!
The season comes slowly to an end. Early September I will be participating at a Duathlon in Switzerland; final big highlight will be then the “3-Länder-Marathon” at Lake Constance on 04.10.2015.
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