Hello again!

hm - one year ago I was living in San Diego - it was warmer, more exciting, easy-going - despite that I went to school every single day, yes winter was far away. Now, winter is knocking on the door, days decrease in length. But I would not say that everything is worse. For example I can still participate at some running competitions :) also not bad. I hope I will be able to "conserve" a bit more of my level than last year.

But soon I will stop to compete for this year. I'll try fully recovering my body and also my mind. During this time I also will try to catch up on some swim skills! I really hope to have success!

Sometime in November I will start with build-up for season 2011. I'm already motivated although I'm still questioning my plans for the coming year. Long distance or "just" middle and short distance. One thing goes without saying - if I wanna do long distance I must invest more time in practise and be more determinded than I was this year! Eather way I want to become fast again. :)

End of season in Locarno

Last Saturday, my girlfriend and I traveled to Locarno (Tessin) for my last Triathlon in 2010. We looked forward to a sunny weekend with good friends, delicious dishes and of course the competiton. Yes, the competition. What could I expect? No miracles. Two weeks ago I was sick for a few days, so my already questionable shape, even the one which was left, was difficult to estimate. So what!

3k's swim, 80k's bike and 20k's run
Sunday morning, packed in my wetsuit, I nervously stood at the start line, waiting for the starting signal. Oh my gosh! After a few meters swimming I though I never did it before! Indeed I was slow, really slow. Changed on the bike I was trying to catch up as lot competitors as I could. But why my legs were feeling tired after a few minutes? Later on the bike I got additionally pain at my lower back. For minutes it was pretty hard to get over it. Finally, I changed for the last time. Guess what? Right, running wasn't any better.

Conclusion: Things were as my current condition is like. Mediocraty. It has only shown me that I'm still good on the bike, even though lesser training, still know how to run, but urgently need to improve swimming a great deal!!!

The rest of my longer weekend was just awesome! Ticino is a travel always worth.

Bye for now.
Sandro

Ironman Switzerland race review

The Ironman 2010 is history. Almost four weeks ago I had one of my longest days of the year - at least one of the most exhausting. For the second time I've participated at the long distance Triathlon in Zurich. It's also my second long distance generally.

Although the competition took place more than three weeks ago, I'm going to write a short review.

Before the competition I calculated my likely doable time over the three disciplines... I though around 10hrs would not be really bad. I knew it would be almost impossible to beat my last years finishing time of 9hrs 46min due to the not ideal preparation. But you never know in advance...

Well, I started with a slow swim performance. Exited the water after 1:19... That wasn't that good - even for me :) But I knew it. Actually, that was exactly what I had expected.

The bike split was started well. I could feel the strengh and I was able to catch up one by one. But 180k's aren't that easy. At the end of the second lap I was becoming slower and slower. My energy level has been decreasing. Close the the end of part two of the race I had to climb up the second time the "heart break hill". That's a steep, not too long hill and I never was climbing so slowly before.

The first of four laps on the Marathon ran smoothly. That was quite surprising, but well - why not. Sometime in round two it happened again. Low battery. It was over. I couln't run like I wanted to. Or wouldn't I? Anyhow, I know it was not only physical but also mental. Once you give up it's difficult to get back.

Nevertheless, I finished the race. Not as fast as last year but still not too bad. Next time I will be faster. A lot faster (hopefully).

Take care,

Sandro

A few hours until race day

The amount of training hours have decreased. Fewer is more. The most important thing is to totally recover until Sunday to be absolutely rested at the start line. Just two more nights and one day until the Ironman Switzerland is going to take place in Zurich. It's gonna be long day. 3.8k's in the water, 180k's on the bike and 42.2k's in my running shoes are wating for me. Don't wanna speak about finishing time, just start and give my best as long as I'm on my way.

I'm gonna start at 7 a.m. and probably will be running along the lakeside of the Lake Zurich around 1.30 p.m.Would be nice to see somebody of you there and you may push me to go a bit faster...

Have a nice weekend.

Sandro

comfort zone

Time is flying by and I'm still not there where I would like to or even more should be with my condition. I've noticed that my biggest problem this season is the missing constancy in training. Small interuptions due to the too bad weather (May and June), a cold during my training camp (only 4 out of 10 days training) etc. All this things need everytime more energy to get back into hard training. Sometimes I'm not ready to leave my personal comfort zone. Prefer laying in front of the TV and drinking some coffee :). Life could be so easy :) Of cours, I get up and do what I shall do but it needs an extra effort.

Why it is going that way? I think it's all about my changed job situation. I have an interesting new job but it is much more demanding than my last one. So, sometimes I have not enough time or I'm just want to rest.

There are just 10 further days until the Ironman Switzerland and I'm a bit scared about what I can expect. Swimming is currently bad. Sure, I will make the 3.8k's but without a really good preparation and I assume around 5 minutes slower than last year. I'm a bit more optimistic for bike split because I had a few good trainings last last week. Especially the Saturday exercise with a friend of mine on the bike which lasted over 6 hours with three hard hills. Marathon? Well, it seems to get a mental thing...

Enjoy the perfect summer weather!

Bye for now - Sandro

Competition review 70.3, Rappi

Hot, hotter, Ironman 70.3 in Rapperswil. What a boiling hot day.

Of course the water temperatur was cold as expected. It wasn't more than 16 degree Celsius. That was really cold even with the wetsuit. So, as I had awaited the first race split wasn't that satisfying. I started encouraged but after around 100m I felt tired like somebody would have cut the energy input. After a while I found something like a rhythm but of course it was too slow. I felt myself uncomfortable and was happy to reach ground after 1.9 k's. Now I was wondering how competitive I would be on the bike split. Guess what! I didn't forget how to ride my bike. :) That was not too bad and makes me feel optimistic for following races that season. Well, unfortunately I couldn't really speed up on the final running 21.5 k's. Nothing but too hot and after the cold May I wasn't used to race at such conditions.

At the bottom line participating at this race was the only right way for further improvements.

There are other 42 days until the Ironman race in Zurich. Hope to catch up on some stuff very soon. I've started today with a bike exercise combined with a short run directly after it.

Have a nice weekend.

Sandro

First competition 2010

How're you doing guys?

As for myself so-so. Not too bad. A really stressful time.
As you already know my training camp wasn't that electrifying due to the weather and my cold. But that is passé. Since I have returned home I can look back at four sunny days. That's quite horrible for that time of year even for Switzerland! But ok - the mentioned ones were pretty.

Now, I'm just one week away from my first Triathlon competition in 2010. It is the half Ironman in Rapperswil, which will take place at Sunday, June 6th. If I look forwart to it? Unsure. I'm expecting terribly cold water! 1.9 k's in the lako of Zurich will be shocking! But I'm gonna survive :) Just happy that the air temperature will be warm and there will be no extra water on the bike split from the sky! The latest meteorological news are predicting sunny summer weather... It's gonna be hot during the competition :)

There are several questions about my condition. I'm feeling myself not as strong as last year - at least until now. The coming Sunday will show me any existing weaknesses and should provide me the relevant things which are to improve so that I will be ready at the 25th of July for the big show in Zurich.

Well, be eager for the weekend. By for now.

Sandro