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
