And I think it's going to rain today....

[alpinerabbit]

She rides a Cheetah - very 90's. Boyfriend saw her, she's this tiny pixie woman...



4.15 am get up after waking up a couple times at night hearing rain. I am doing this, I trained and I paid the fee and I am not quitting.
Dani moans but obliges. Grab gear, rain gear, bikes, head for station. Brakes not gripping on wet rims. This might get dangerous.

As we get to the town, 6.20, the rain has stopped. The venue is a muddy field, they distribute more straw but it is a mudfest.

Busses take us 2.5 K upstream to the swim start. We are way early, and after waiting some, as I take off my warm clothes I shiver part to cold, part to nerves but it is better than #1.

Swim - water is only about 18 °C. Most participants in wet suits, I will brave this. Jump in, and my breath is taken away - ****in freezing. I can hardly do anyting but some lopsided stroke, not get my face in the water and think they're going to pull me out and I'll have to quit.

after about a minute it gets better, I can breaststroke then freestlye. I start overtaking people. The river is not deep and you can see all the rocks on the bottom which is reassuring. some funky current pulls you to the left. I nearly hit one of the poles they warned about. After seemingly much less time than last time, the exit shows up. Water starts smelling of manure where it gets muddy at exit, so wade out. 15 minutes. Managed freestyle except for a couple times sighting.

T1 - A Mudfest. Jersey and wind vest go on, gloves stay off. I jog over mud to the mounting area, try to shake mud off bike shoes.

Bike - the race course has 400 m elevation total, I'm slow but am almost only passed by short and long course men, maybe by 3 women and pass one. 2 Power gels and drink at every station. Downhills are wet so I can't let the brakes go all the way. I feel good though, allow my legs to get some lactic acid sometimes knowing the final downhill will give me some relief. Overall average 24.25 kph.
The coolest thing was the guy at the turnaround town who played his trombone for us. Thanks dude!

T2 - two double knots in shoes to untie and I don't know where to run to.

run - I get passed by one girl and pass the one that passed me on the last part of the bike. two ugly hills, legs heavy and I won't start walking. Sheesh only 2K yet? I drink at every station.
Then it gets better, down hill section and turnaroudn. I start gaining ground on a girl in the distance. I catch her and the girl right in front. I pass a couple of guys too. In to the Finish I shed some tears from exertion. I am such a cry baby, but also I really tried hard.


Lessons learned - wow - cold water is quite a shock. I am getting better on the swim.
No more attempt at gloves on the bike. I need to get stronger.
I also need a set of speedlaces.
So - overall I guess a more selective field than Zurich but I was not last and I am learning.

Overall 37/55
AG 17/20 ( was the oldest)
2:22.31,5

16.57
3.42
1:13.38
2.44
45.28