We were 7 people in a 50m lane, actually not too bad, I was clearly the fastest in the lane and after discussing expected swim times I started first. Had to lap most folks only once, stayed behind a group for the last half lane, did not want to risk anything for 2 or 3 seconds


After all, I enjoyed the swim because I could mostly swim at my own pace and by myself, nothing to change really

Very bad start onto the bike, had decided to put on shoes in T, when I tried to clip in, my right foot felt like it would start to cramp, so I stretched a little

I might have to start keeping the shoes on the bike

The wind SUCKED (25kph, gusts up to 50kph)
The occasional rain sucked even more, especially the short rain towards the end, felt like hail and sucked energy

About 5km in I felt my rear tire acting up, decided to stop to check if something was broken. It turned out that the new tube was slightly expanded at the valve

Also, the hills were very tough for me, there was a group of about 5 guys, 1 in particular, who were passing me on the uphills, and I then I would pass on the downhills

One part of the loop was on a high plane, going straight into the wind for 1km or so, I was actually doing pretty well there and passed people

Switch off wind and rain
Loose weight to get up hills faster

Rather long way around the transition zone, not too many bikes around when I came in
Took some HEED plus grabbed Clif ShotBloks
Time was included in bike split

Was okay overall

this felt like one of my best runs, if not the best run ever
Using the Zoots felt great and fast, I think I had great form, at least for the first 8km
Unlike on other runs, I was passing people, even some who looked "serious"
The weather had cleared by now, no more rain and some sun
Around km6, I felt my left ankle rubbing against the shoes and knew that I would "draw blood", I continued to be a bother, but nothing serious
I was just thinking: "from now on I should be running less so that I race faster when.... right at the last turnaround, just under 8km, from step to the next I felt a light sting in the biceps femoris. For the next 1.5km it was little more than a nuisance, but then it started to really hurt, was even limping

The GPS came up shorter than 10.5km, no matter what I was running 10k under 50min!!

I probably DO need to run more to prepare the biomechanics for race stress

Hung around with the Lenz brothers, and watched Uli and both Ralfs come in

Was neither thirsty nor hungry, actually nutrition on the complete day seemed just about perfect

This was the first time I would have liked a massage, but they did not offer this in the finishing area


Did not feel fully happy with my performance, even though realistically it went as well as possible

Of course the bike stop sucked


Overall ranking only in male group without "Liga starters"
There were 48 female non-Liga starter, 3 of which were faster than me

On the other hand, there must have been approx 100 Liga Starter, most of which were probably faster than me...:-))