...to my little webspace. Here you will find updates about my training and racing adventures as an Ironman athlete, as well as information on our spring training camps. Enjoy!
July 10, 2010
Racing at Great White North, or how I got myself a cute moose...
Last Sunday I started for the third time at the Great White North triathlon, the biggest local race. Having come third, then second, I wanted to win. But so did my competition. I woke up on race morning excited and a bit nervous, knowing that it will be a good race with Kristina and Tanya, both previous winners. Also, having seen at Oliver how close the women’s field is getting these days, you never know who else will be going in for the win.Arriving at the race site I went through my usual pre-race procedure, talked to a bunch of friends racing or volunteering, and then took a little quiet time just listening to my tunes to get me ready for the race. I like to “talk” to my legs and ask them if they have any idea of what I am going do to them today ;-)...I think it’s pretty funny that you are sitting there pre- race totally relaxed, with nothing hurting, but knowing that in four and a half hours everything will feel just toast.
The swim start came sudden. I didn’t hear a countdown or gun; just saw the big guys next to me start running...oh, oh, there we go. Literally closing my eyes I just put my head down and tried to hammer the first 400m. All I thought was that I need to go hard and get some feed to not lose too many minutes to Kristina, and whoever else swims like a fish. I never looked up, just trusted that the other “first-row-standers” are good swimmers who will tunnel me in the right direction. They did :-)! Out of breath, and with a bit more room to swim I tried to get into a manageable rhythm, focusing on my stroke. I was swimming the remainder of loop one next to another female, but then was able to close the gap to two guys in front of me while running around the turn-around buoy. Swimming in a draft made loop two feel way better. Into T1, I was happy to check-off the swim, and getting onto my bike. Even though I push myself in the swim I always feel like my race starts in T1. Still working on the swimming though :-).
Train in Spain - Another great year with the Canadians in Mallorca
For the fourth time Kevin, Kate and myself made our way to Spain to hold our 4th Annual Train in Spain Camp in Mallorca. As a well-known cycling Mecca in Europe the island offers all a cyclist wants – most of all great switchbacks to ride up. REAL switchbacks, not like back home in Canada, where there might be a corner every half-kilometer if you’re lucky...Just take a look at an 11km climb (Sa Calobra) that’s nicknamed “The Snake”…and you see what I mean. No wonder, I keep mentioning that I miss corners when riding back home in huge rectangular laps for hours and hours.
The group was as big as never before, and lots of fun. Everything worked out great in terms of cycling groups. With Dieter, Oli, Emanuel, Marcel and Gottfried we had 5 strong and reliable Germans to lead our way on the nicest routes available, ensuring that nobody gets left behind. Depending on the group, most rides included a coffee-stop of some sort (sometimes cake ;-)!) to refuel for the rest of the ride. The highlight for many was the 140km ride along the coast (the “Coast Classic”), where we get shuttled to the south of the island and then make our way back (UP) to the north…climbing more than 3,000m along the way. For many the 14km climb up Puig the Major was an exciting challenge that needed to be celebrated. With 3 birthdays as well we found many reasons to celebrate, and sit together with a good glass of wine, or beer, or Sangria.
Yesterday I raced the Longhorn 70.3 Austin, TX. A weather-wise perfect day (not very hot or humid, a bit of wind) turned out to be great overall. After coming out of the water in 15th spot I managed to bike and run up to 8th place, and with that fulfilled my goal of placing top 10. It was a great experience, still looking at and learning from the big names, and just really enjoying to race with / against them. A more detailed description of the race in my report.
Thanks to Tom Keogh, Sheila Findley, Noni Herchen, Andy Trevoy, Dwayne Gibbs, Mia Clarke, Jim Greenough, and all my other friends and family for supporting me in my quest to become a better triathlete! Thanks for believing in me, too!
.jpg)
