Now it is history that is, the competition season in 2009. After a few competitions and events that do not quite correspond to my ideal, I could on 4 October finish the year in a way, how can I do it only every athlete.
The Ironman Canada was my first season highlight. I was in really good shape, but - somehow it did not work quite right. Although I could, compared with other races in some difficult situations to keep a cool head and made me so again three really serious Crises draw. Still, I was at the end with my time of 9:29 hours, only vaguely happy.
Not long, and I decided several things: first, against a launch on the Uster Triathlon, on the other hand, for a start in the Challenge Barcelona - another long distance. Until now I had convinced myself that I was initially operated with a long-distance per year. But then I thought: why not?
On 1 October, I went in the early morning hours with my mother going to the south - a season in which I usually already held the legs up. In my luggage was two days before re-made road bike in working order (after I tore Locarno a brake-and shift cable - lucky to Locarno ...) - the training in the preceding weeks had been sparse and mainly on a mountain bike. No reason to panic, I told myself - at least I was well rested.
After two days in the hotel, then on Sunday morning so far - the last and most difficult race of the same year was in order. I was nervous as it was any other race, and asked myself why this was so. It was not my first long distance. But this time, so many new unknown factors to say that I simply could not, what would happen to me. First, even swimming in the sea. Then the coastal road on the Costa Maresme, the opposite my expectations were anything but flat on the first eight to ten kilometers. Since it was a course of three rounds, we would be six times hunted through the hills. A flat marathon course, prone to heat like nothing else, for once, bars and gels from other manufacturers as Powerbar (I had my rations, but if would be enough ?)... every time I had my own peace of mind came the next question. And before I knew it, I stood with about 50 other pro athletes on the start line - but are not previously been in the water. The adrenaline was pumping, the pulse went up - and then took a turn the day, with which no one had counted and which, as I think this race for the next Coined years in advance.
The sun had not yet risen, the sky turned slowly red - in front of us the surf thundered onto the beach. We waited - as the speaker called out for a minute's silence Andreu Serra, who had arrived shortly before the race to death. In the transition area lay flowers in front of his bike stand.
From one moment to the next all was quiet - only the sound of the waves could be heard. Then, classical music was played, and Andreu's training partner threw flowers into the sea. When it was said: "one minute to the start", all stood completely still and deeply touched at the start line. And somehow you could tell that everyone was internalized: the Day is long and hard. No reason to be too heavy at the beginning of life.
Then came the start signal, and we were on the road.
noticed after about 1.5 Km I want my already ailing slightly wet suit, began to chafe under the arms - a completely new experience in salt water. I tried to ignore and, after 53 'rise from the water.
From there went to the bike course, and what can I say - here I felt at home. That it would be a hot day was clear. I have always been at the forefront when it came about to pick up the big mouth. Heat'm out of nothing, as is unfolding before my full potential. Only: heat in Switzerland, and heat on the English coast, these are two different things. And so I finally had the opportunity to prove this theory.
This was my very good - I drove the Radsplit my life! The heat inspired me and I managed again to remain calm in situations that otherwise would have taken me from the rest. I could eat and drink enough, and for the first time on a long distance I had after 150 miles still feel they have not ripped off. After 4:56 for me was the Radsplit to end - I was almost 20 minutes faster than in Zurich, and on a track that was not really easy to drive.
Unfortunately, everything has beauty eventually come to an end, and was with me for two miles on the run. I flew from the change tent and felt great - my legs did not hurt, were just a bit tired. But then it started with the pain. I had new shoes on the feet, which I had previously been run though - apparently not enough. After four miles my stomach started to rebel, so I had to go to the emergency room the next chemical toilet. (Toilet is exaggerated -. Sauna would be a better name) then my belly was indeed quiet, but I was not able to appear clean. 2008 I'm having a hard time to have been on the run course - here in Spain, was allowed I find that Zurich 2008 is not such a bad thing after all. I have worked long and much to my running style. If you suddenly just not in a position to act as usual and push off, then everything is improvisation. I felt about as elegant as a duck with a concussion. Added to this was that there were of a gel abomination (of taste, at least) that I was really bad and I surrendered to the third tube. That was pretty much up to kilometer 30 - then it got better. After all - I could enjoy the last few miles. I was able to run. And I thought of all the positive, what I do on this day so far was allowed. The good mood of the pro-athletes, even on the track. To the almost perfect Departments Organisation. The beautiful weather. As best I had felt on the bike. I did not know how long I was on my way, but it got more and more important - I wanted to be able to say at the end of the day: "more was not possible." And that would succeed me!
When I was turned onto the final straight and celebrate with the people I saw for the first time the clock showed 9:29, and the hours and counting to ...
For Sprint gave it yet. I would not finish after 9:30. So I pulled the last tab - and finished the race in 9:29:38 hours.
Of course, I wanted to break the 9-hour limit. As I got off my bike and loslief, I also felt as if it might work. Then that the marathon was such an ordeal - it was a mistake on my part (the shoes) and a good dose of fate. But it comforts me somehow. I'm back! The race was faster, running a lot harder than last year - and again I was under 9:30 hours. And next year ... since everything is open!
I would like to thank everyone who supported me in Spain. On the track you are an athlete, although alone, but no one brings his performance if he does not have people in the back, support him, believe in him and carry him through the tough passages. Thank you!
My special thanks and respect goes to the training partner of Serra Andreu, whose name unfortunately nobody knew on the court. He has devoted his entire race to his friend. He wore flowers on the finish line and thus honoring its partners in a way, in which we can only bow our heads. This first Challenge Barcelona was influenced by these two triathletes, and as far as I'm concerned - this will keep the race Andreu Serra.
Sincerely,
Fabian
The Ironman Canada was my first season highlight. I was in really good shape, but - somehow it did not work quite right. Although I could, compared with other races in some difficult situations to keep a cool head and made me so again three really serious Crises draw. Still, I was at the end with my time of 9:29 hours, only vaguely happy.
Not long, and I decided several things: first, against a launch on the Uster Triathlon, on the other hand, for a start in the Challenge Barcelona - another long distance. Until now I had convinced myself that I was initially operated with a long-distance per year. But then I thought: why not?
On 1 October, I went in the early morning hours with my mother going to the south - a season in which I usually already held the legs up. In my luggage was two days before re-made road bike in working order (after I tore Locarno a brake-and shift cable - lucky to Locarno ...) - the training in the preceding weeks had been sparse and mainly on a mountain bike. No reason to panic, I told myself - at least I was well rested.
After two days in the hotel, then on Sunday morning so far - the last and most difficult race of the same year was in order. I was nervous as it was any other race, and asked myself why this was so. It was not my first long distance. But this time, so many new unknown factors to say that I simply could not, what would happen to me. First, even swimming in the sea. Then the coastal road on the Costa Maresme, the opposite my expectations were anything but flat on the first eight to ten kilometers. Since it was a course of three rounds, we would be six times hunted through the hills. A flat marathon course, prone to heat like nothing else, for once, bars and gels from other manufacturers as Powerbar (I had my rations, but if would be enough ?)... every time I had my own peace of mind came the next question. And before I knew it, I stood with about 50 other pro athletes on the start line - but are not previously been in the water. The adrenaline was pumping, the pulse went up - and then took a turn the day, with which no one had counted and which, as I think this race for the next Coined years in advance.
The sun had not yet risen, the sky turned slowly red - in front of us the surf thundered onto the beach. We waited - as the speaker called out for a minute's silence Andreu Serra, who had arrived shortly before the race to death. In the transition area lay flowers in front of his bike stand.
From one moment to the next all was quiet - only the sound of the waves could be heard. Then, classical music was played, and Andreu's training partner threw flowers into the sea. When it was said: "one minute to the start", all stood completely still and deeply touched at the start line. And somehow you could tell that everyone was internalized: the Day is long and hard. No reason to be too heavy at the beginning of life.
Then came the start signal, and we were on the road.
noticed after about 1.5 Km I want my already ailing slightly wet suit, began to chafe under the arms - a completely new experience in salt water. I tried to ignore and, after 53 'rise from the water.
From there went to the bike course, and what can I say - here I felt at home. That it would be a hot day was clear. I have always been at the forefront when it came about to pick up the big mouth. Heat'm out of nothing, as is unfolding before my full potential. Only: heat in Switzerland, and heat on the English coast, these are two different things. And so I finally had the opportunity to prove this theory.
This was my very good - I drove the Radsplit my life! The heat inspired me and I managed again to remain calm in situations that otherwise would have taken me from the rest. I could eat and drink enough, and for the first time on a long distance I had after 150 miles still feel they have not ripped off. After 4:56 for me was the Radsplit to end - I was almost 20 minutes faster than in Zurich, and on a track that was not really easy to drive.
Unfortunately, everything has beauty eventually come to an end, and was with me for two miles on the run. I flew from the change tent and felt great - my legs did not hurt, were just a bit tired. But then it started with the pain. I had new shoes on the feet, which I had previously been run though - apparently not enough. After four miles my stomach started to rebel, so I had to go to the emergency room the next chemical toilet. (Toilet is exaggerated -. Sauna would be a better name) then my belly was indeed quiet, but I was not able to appear clean. 2008 I'm having a hard time to have been on the run course - here in Spain, was allowed I find that Zurich 2008 is not such a bad thing after all. I have worked long and much to my running style. If you suddenly just not in a position to act as usual and push off, then everything is improvisation. I felt about as elegant as a duck with a concussion. Added to this was that there were of a gel abomination (of taste, at least) that I was really bad and I surrendered to the third tube. That was pretty much up to kilometer 30 - then it got better. After all - I could enjoy the last few miles. I was able to run. And I thought of all the positive, what I do on this day so far was allowed. The good mood of the pro-athletes, even on the track. To the almost perfect Departments Organisation. The beautiful weather. As best I had felt on the bike. I did not know how long I was on my way, but it got more and more important - I wanted to be able to say at the end of the day: "more was not possible." And that would succeed me!
When I was turned onto the final straight and celebrate with the people I saw for the first time the clock showed 9:29, and the hours and counting to ...
For Sprint gave it yet. I would not finish after 9:30. So I pulled the last tab - and finished the race in 9:29:38 hours.
Of course, I wanted to break the 9-hour limit. As I got off my bike and loslief, I also felt as if it might work. Then that the marathon was such an ordeal - it was a mistake on my part (the shoes) and a good dose of fate. But it comforts me somehow. I'm back! The race was faster, running a lot harder than last year - and again I was under 9:30 hours. And next year ... since everything is open!
I would like to thank everyone who supported me in Spain. On the track you are an athlete, although alone, but no one brings his performance if he does not have people in the back, support him, believe in him and carry him through the tough passages. Thank you!
My special thanks and respect goes to the training partner of Serra Andreu, whose name unfortunately nobody knew on the court. He has devoted his entire race to his friend. He wore flowers on the finish line and thus honoring its partners in a way, in which we can only bow our heads. This first Challenge Barcelona was influenced by these two triathletes, and as far as I'm concerned - this will keep the race Andreu Serra.
Sincerely,
Fabian
