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

[alpinerabbit]

We've had severe rainfall this week with floods over several parts of the country.
Not the part I am going to do #2 on Saturday, but it is likely going to be cool and possibly rainy.

2.5 km river swim - it's only 20°C now. shiver.
30k bike - I'd hate to crash if the roads are wet.
7.5k run - some cool weather is nice for running

so what to wear? jersey? wind vest even, for the bike so I don't chill in my wet race top?

Also. I am not winning this one because Switzerland's top triathlete Natascha Badmann is competing over my distance.

[crazycanuck]

Dunno AP but keep warm! Totally understand about the bike course bit, just take care & slow down if you feel unsafe.

Cool that a top athlete is participating in the event..if you have a moment, drool over her bike while setting your stuff up in transition.

Best of luck out there!!!


C

[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

[alpinerabbit]

jinx - double post

But now I've got pics. And this morning I am rather sore so I did work hard.


(me with the black&white tank and DBF with me)




muddy legs (that's expensive spa treatmen in other places )

muddy bike in the bathtub

[Torrilin]

Cold water is *hard*. If you can, it's easier to just jump in, take the shock of "it's freaking COLD" and go. Keep as much of you under the water as you can so you don't have evaporative cooling going on.

You did good

[Running Mommy]

ohhhh APLINE! First of all I was thinking of you this morning when I saw the news showing the terrible flooding. I hadn't seen this post, so I'm coming in late.

I loved the pics! Always LOVE to see pics from the old home land! My family is from Tuttlingen Germany, just over the border from Zurich- well sorta...
But the pics always remind me of "home". I LOVE it back there and would live there in a heart beat!!

As for the race.. YAHOO!! Good on you for getting out there in those conditions! I could imagine that water would be cold! YIPES!
Sounds like you earned yourself a nice warm cup of tea and a nice warm bowl of soup. Or a pastry... I'd prolly opt for the pastry... (but then that is why I weigh what I weigh now huh??.... sigh.. )

So did you see Natascha? She is my FAVORITE woman triathlete. I love that despite her troubles she always has a smile on her face. I also admire her discipline. She's an animal!

[Zen]

Natascha Badmann is competing over my distance.

C'mon.
Nobody could make up a name like that!

After you gave your bike a bath did you tuck it in and tell it a story ?

You're one tough chick, too.
I would have to sleep for two days after that.

[Tri Girl]

Wow- Alpine. Congrats on your race!!! You had a tough go at it, but from the looks of the pictures- you did GREAT!!!!! So glad to hear it was a good (although very tiring) day.
You said BF saw her, but did you get to meet Natascha? Very cool that she was there!

Again, congrats. You braved that cccccoooold water- for that alone you get major props!

[HillSlugger]

Great race! 2.5k swim in 15 minutes? Wow!

Congrats!

[alpinerabbit]

It was in a river with a fast current - !!

And Zen: no, the bike got to dry off outside, no bedside story LOL

RM - Tuttlingen is on the line of the train I take every morning.... but I don't go all the way into Germany.

I took 2 naps on Saturday afternoon LOL. I guess one for the race and one for getting up so early.

[HappyAnika]

Great job on going out there in those conditions, and a strong race to boot! LOL, I LOVE the picture of the bike in the bathtub!

[HillSlugger]

It was in a river with a fast current - !!

So, how fast could someone do the distance if they floated the whole way without any swimming?

[Running Mommy]

Yet ANOTHER reason to go "home"... So I can meet Alpine Rabbit!!
Our son has been DYING to go to Germany. He keeps bugging me about learning German. I tried at one point.... sigh.. It was soo hard!
But yeah, see... Now I have a good reason to go back there!!

'Course Crazy cannuck would have something to say about that. Seeing as how I'm also suppose to go to Perth to do IMWA!!

[alpinerabbit]

RM - Come do IMCH...


MDHillSlug... I reckon if I took 16 min that's probably 500-600 swimming and ~2K floating. so you'd take about 25min just drifting down? the slowest time recorded was 20 min.

[KSH]

COLD water river with a fast current... impressive. I never would have gotten in without a wetsuit!

You did a really great job! Thanks for sharing with us!

OH, and the pictures are great! Looking good lady!