Silkeborg Triathlon 2007 - TriathlonOther

Due to heavy wind, there were also big waves. Had to go directly into the wind/waves to first buoy (350m). As always it was crowded, but I found my spot. Then a 90° turn and the waves from the side (200m). I was glad that I had learned to breathe from both sides, as it was impossible to breathe into the wind/waves. I had some trouble to swim straight in the waves. Rounding at the last buoy and back to start with the waves in the back (400m). This was a lot easier, but again I had trouble to swim straight. I also had to swim some breaststroke at times to catch my breath.

Train more endurance and learn to swim in a straight line.

The transition was OK for me, but there were some problems for others as it was not as organized as it could have been. Some had dropped their suits in the run path. I ran/jogged to my place, removing my suit. This time I paid attention to get it off my heels and it was perfect. Socks on, jersey on, helmet on, glasses on - no problem. I had trained for it and it paid of.
The rain had stopped and the sun was out.


Nothing - well maybe learn to run with shoes on bike.

The bike route was very good, some nice nature and not much traffic. We started up hill for the first km, took it easy to get my legs moving. After 2.5km we were out of the city and started a 100m climb over 3 km, just going up. The wind was blocked somewhat here, but was from the side. When we came to the top we had the wind almost from the side to head on for the next 10km. That was tough for me, but it was going to get even harder! At 20km there were a steep downhill and there were signs that warned us of sharp turns. Took it a bit easy, as I did not know the route. The down hill was steep, but the turns were not scary. Right after this 80m descent over 1 km, there were an 80m climb. Here I recorded my slowest speed at only 11km/h. We drove through a small city and passed the water station. I didn't need anything as I had 2 bottles on my bike. We were now about halfway and were coming out in the open land with the wind head-on for the next 5km. I had been out on the bike for almost an hour now and it was hard. But no whining, as the next turn was almost 160°. Yes - the wind in my back! For the next 6 km I could "relax" a bit.
7km to go, we came to a steep downhill, again with warning signs, but this time the road was wider and there were no turns. I got all the way down in the bars and pushed in my top gear. With the wind somewhat in my back I recorded 68.6 km/t. The last 5 km home was through the city without hills. Took it a bit easy the last 2 km to gain some power for the run.


Train more on the bike. I'm dead slow up hills and in head-on wind

Jumped of my bike and ran to my place. Racked my bike in my spot, but others had difficult to place their bike in the right place. It was very crowded in my place with my neighbor’s wetsuit laying on my running shoes. I had to jump to the other side of the bike rack to get some space to change. Forgot to take my jersey off. When I came out of T2 Jette and Isabella was cheering at me - that was nice :-)

Nothing - but I did mention the disorder in T2 to the organizers.

The weather was nice for a run in the forest. I knew it was a hilly route and the first up hill came after 500m. My legs were OK after the bike and I could easily find my pace. The first down hill was so steep that it almost hurts to run down. The next few km's was flat and we came down to lake. Running next to the lake in sunny weather was good, it gave my some motivation before the next hill. There were lots of helpers round the route, helping at the water stations and at the turns. At one place we had turn round a very big tree, on the way back it was a right turn for me so I held the inside line, but another participant on the way out, took a "short cut" and ran into me. Nothing happened, but it was funny as none of us had the energy to avoid the "collision". The last 4 km was hard and I had to walk up the last hill at 9 km.

Train - train and train. But I also need to build some more mental toughness. I have a bad habit to slow down when the going gets though

The wind on the bike route was very though on me and combined with a hilly route, both on the bike and run leg, I knew that it would be a hard race.


The race is very good, a beautiful place, but the transition needs improvement. I wasn't the only one "complaining" over T2. Hopefully the transition is in place next year. Maybe I should try a ½ ironman then.