Ironman 70.3 European Championship Wiesbaden - Triathlon

I went into this race not wanting to "race" but to compete/complete. I started our pretty fast and I had to tell myself several times to slow it down and just swim. Europeans swim much more aggressive compared to Americans. Throughout the first 1500 yards, I constantly had to fight for space with two different swimmers. After repeatedly being hit in the head by one specific swimmer, I became pissed off. I reached out, grabbed him arm and brought him to a complete stop. I took off after that and I never was hit in the head anymore.

The lake was a man made body of water, near in an industrial area. The water was a beautiful blue and the water tasted pretty good. The sand was so soft that it made me feel like I was in Hawaii.

I was expecting to finish the swim in 40 minutes so I was happy with my effort and a 34 minute finish.

Stop the fist pounding earlier and swim wide to give myself clear water.

The run to T1 was about .10 miles. Everything went smoothly and I took my time since my swim time was faster than I expected.

Nothing

Here is where the day gets interesting... First, I was on a bike that I had only ridden for 30 minutes prior to the race. Rather Han transporting my tri bike, I borrowed a Trek road bike from an Officer in the U.S. Army who is stationed in Wiesbaden. I made necessary changed to the geometry of the road bike to best fit my body. I think I dialed it in pretty well.

The course was flat and fast for the first 20 miles. We went trough villages where we were screaming by spectators. I didn't realize exactly how tough this course really was. Here was a hill on his course that I heated rivaled one of the best climbs on the Tour de France. The hill was actually a ridge top or mountain to some people. I believe he hill was approximately 5 miles long from the very bottom to the top. The spectators on the side of the roadway were great and they were running along side us while yelling at us. There was a guy who ran beside me while yelling something that sounded like "up,up,up,up,up". I don't really know what he was saying because I was hating life, he was yelling in German and I was tired of climbing.

I reached the top of the hill and we descended. The decent was short lived before we hit a sharp corner and had to slow down. One thing I learned, German roads are long up hills, short downhills with tight streets and sharp corners. The corners were so sharp they had to put out hay bails just in case people crashed going into the villages.

I entered a village called Ostseelbach and I saw a group of men cheering us on. They entire group was dressed in U.S. Postal Service cycling uniforms. I don't know if they were there after the Tour or if it was dress up day. All I know, it was great to see them!

At mile 25ish, we were climbing on a tight road, in the middle of a forested area. All the sudden we pop out of the forest to a sight of a beautiful church with gold colored towers. The church was in the middle of nowhere and very unexpected. I rode by slow to take in the sight. Seeing the church made me forget about the hill climb.

The last 6 miles was downhill and into Wiesbaden where the day would change dramatically.

I was oping for 3:30 but 3:31 would be just fine with me.


Nothing, I enjoyed the very tough course and the free tour of Germany I got.

Volunteers took our bike and this was short lived. I barely remember T2.

Nothing

I went light on the ride because I wanted to had a good run. The main thing I loved about this run course is the spectators! American spectators should take note, those guys were amazing! It's hard to describe the why they were so great because I could not understand them but they were so loud and downtown was packed with spectators... It was incredible to see!

4 loops got a little boring near the end but that's how European races are. The majority of the run was shaded which was nice. They only had two aid stations on the run when would benefit me. It generally run and walk aid stations and I rarely walked because of the few aid stations. I learned from Boulder 70.3 to get the fluids in my mouth and not in my shoes. Running a half marathon in wet shoes was not ideal. I was able to have dry shoes the entire run which was great!

I saw my wife for the first time exiting T2 and it was nice she could see me for the first time of the day and see me so many times.

At the start of each loop, we had to run through a area that looked like a Nascar pit area. There they had volunteers who put colored bands around your arm. You needed four colored bands before you were allowed entry into the finishing chute.

My fastest half marathon during a 70.3 was 2:09 and I ran a 1:55 which was perfect! I wanted a sub 2hr run which is what I got. I was able to run my last loop with a very steady pace while skipping both aid stations.

I enjoyed every step of this run and was sad when it was over.

The finishing chute rivaled what I experienced at IM CDA. The chute was packed with spectators and the grandstands were loaded!

Run faster because I think I could have.

Got my medal, found my wife, got my finishers shirt. We sat down, I ate apples and we talked about the race.

We walked back to T2 to get all my gear the volunteers shuttled back for us.


Nothing at all!


The good:
I just completed Ironman 70.3 European Championships!! We were told this course in the hardest 70.3 on the IM circuit and it's tougher than the full distance in Frankfort which is 30 minutes away. The spectators were top notch and I think were better than any race I've ever done in the U.S. I was able to see so much of Germany that I would not have seen if it was not for this race. This was a once in a life time experience and I was able to experience it!

The bad:
My only complaint if this is called 70.3 Wiesbaden... Well, they only part of is race in Wiesbaden was the run and the end of the bike. If you travel for this race, don't expect your friends and family to see you at the swim or the bike.

The positives completely outweigh he negatives! I would not trade this experience for anything else in the world!

I should also give credit where it's due. There is something to be said about European athletes. They swim, bike and run fast! Generally I'm in the top 20% at an IM race and top 10% in local races. I did not crack the top 50% in Germany. I don't know if it's because I was 5 weeks out from IM CDA or if they are just that good!

Thank you Ironman, residents of the villages and Wiesbaden for such an amazing experience!