IRONMAN 70.3 SWITZERLAND - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

The race started off in waves. I moved up age groups this year and was swimming in the M40-44 age group for the first time. I decided to start my swim on the far right side in an effort to avoid getting bumped in the field of 300 swimmers. The race started. I pulled pass the group on the right in about 100m. I looked over to the left and saw the lead swimmers and figured I would head over there and draft-off some faster swimmers. The water was crystal clear with no waves so visibility was excellent. I settled in behind some of the lead swimmers, but then started pulling past them. I then saw a guys in a sweeeet light blue wet suit and figured he must be a fast swimmer, so I would follow him. That lasted about 200 meters, and then he slowed down. So, I pull forward and saw a kayak. I started to follow the kayak . . . then it dawned on me . . . I think I am in first place :) That was a pretty cool feeling. A huge plus was that it was much easier following a kayak then finding the correct sighting via buoys. I kept a nice easy 3-stroke pace for about 1500m. I switched to a 2-stroke for the last 400m as I had to navigate the swimmer from the wave that left 15 minutes before us. I got out of the water and there was a huge cheer from the crowd - first swimmer out. That was very cool.

Nothing.

I was so pleased with my swim. I decided to take my time (kind-of). I sat down and put on some socks, had a gel, strapped on my helmet and headed out. AHR - 153.

Nothing

After 10km along the lake the course shot up the Witches Hill. This was a super steep hill with tons of crowds cheering you on - which was nice. I rode the hill on my smallest gear (34-25) - which I found myself using quite a bit on this bike course. once up the hill (>12%), the course flattened out in the swiss cow pastures - beautiful country.

Then you hit 'The Beast' (>15%) - another killer hill. Tough. After The Beast the course contiuned going up hill. All in all, you had 10km of flat, 10km up hill, 15km down hill and then 10km back to the start.

Not much. I had a good ride. At the Antwerp70.3 my time on the bike leg was in 37 percentil overall. At this race my bike time was in the 45 percentile. An nice improvement, but there is still work to be done to get up into the 60 percentile.

Pulled into T2 and had a quick transition. Saw the family and went over to say 'hi'. AHR - 136.

Nothing

I had not run very much in '08 due to an achillies tendonitus issue, so I knew the run would be interesting. The first 10.5K was not going to be the issue, it was the second lap that was of concern. The first loop went very well. I clocked sub 48min. At this point I thought I might have a chance to break 5 hours, but realized that the last 5 to 8km would be key - since I had not been running very much. I was able to maintian a good pace up to about the 15K mark, but then started to cramp-up. At this point I decided to slow down and finish vs. blowing up.

Good run.

Not much. Took a shower and had a plate of pasta while the family waited. Should have stretched.


Nothing. This was a great race. I did the best I could have in the condition I was in.


This was an awsome race that was very well organized. We got very lucky with the weather as race-day was on the only day in two weeks in which it did not rain. Very greatful to my wife for supporting me during all my training. Also, very glad to have joined the CNN Nyon Triathon Team - much funner training with people vs. alone.