70.3 Austria

70.3 Austria (90 / 21.1) 4:54:31 [Results] [Certificate]

T1 - 1:18
Bike - 2:54:44
T2 - 2:35
Run - 1:56:03

M45: 141st out of 246
Male: 931th out of 1446
Overall: 1005th out of 1681
 

This was supposed to be the dress-rehearsal for IM Austria, but it turned out to be a slightly different event altogether. The swim had to be cancelled due to severe weather conditions (water temperature less than 13 Celsius, air 6 degrees and forecasted gale force winds).

The start was organised in mini waves where 15 athletes started every 30 seconds. This was slightly comical as you had to line up for the start and then run to your bike through a huge transition area dressed with your cycling shoes and helmet. Almost all riders, including the pros, rode in long sleeves - highly unusual for this time of the year.

The bike starts with a flat 15k on the motorway and with a very strong rear winds, I reached speeds of up to 50km/h. This all changed once we hit the first hills, which were manageable as the wind was still kind. The middle part was a long stretch alongside the Danube where we had the wind - by now up to 60 km/h! - face on. As a result, the next penalty tent was quite packed. At about 60k, the big hill started - nothing too steep, but quite a long way up to over 700m altitude. Some of the downhill sections were rather dangerous what resulted in a number of crashes. The last 10k should have been an easy back to St. Pölten, but it turned out to be the toughest part of the entire bike leg due to strong and totally unpredictable side winds. Aero position was impossible and speed dropped to silly levels.

Back to the fantastic event arena and into T2. The run was 2 laps. Since I started in the last of 8 waves, the course was quite packed on my first lap. Everything was ok until km12 when I started to get cramps in my right upper leg and my stomach started to rebel. I started to walk the feed stations and also the few uphills bumps. I had things timed to get me under 5 hours, but it turned out that the run course was approx. 800m short, so this was no problem in the end.

My legs felt fine after the race, but my stomach wasn't too happy. I felt for about an hour the urge to vomit, but no joy. Things started to improve once I drank loads of liquid and had a few bites of melon. This is a bit of a worry as I don't know what has gone wrong with the nutrition. I might be the new energy bars I have been taken or something I drank that didn't agree with me. Also, I think the amount of water / iso I drank was insufficient. What did work quite well, was the odd sip of Coke during the run, though.

All in all, a good event with loads of participants from countries such as Slovenia, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary and Russia. A real shame we missed the unique swim in 2 lakes, but it was still good prep race for the big day in 5 weeks time. Now onwards to Klagenfurt where we are going to sample the bike course.


All wrapped up at the start

On the run

All done

Haidsee Triathlon Forst

Haidsee Triathlon Forst (1.0 / 32 / 7.5)

A very nice local event with loads of races taking place over the course of the day. The conditions were everything but inviting - cold, wet and windy plus some hailstones on the bike leg. As a result only about 60% of the registered athletes turned up.

The water was 16 degrees, but it felt much colder. It took me well over 21 minutes and the Garmin showed well 1.1k. If the distance was to be correct, I am in serious trouble as my swimming seems to get worse.

The bike would have been good if I didn't have to stop 3(!) times. One of the cleats started to disintegrate when I mounted the bike and the shoe fell off right at the beginning. After half the distance, a sticker from another ride stuck to my back tyre and just wouldn't come off. When I started again, the back wheel repositioned itself slightly, so I had to stop again and make some adjustments.

The run was very good and fast, even though the course was slightly short.

Definitely a race to put on next year's calendar, but hopefully in better conditions and with less stops during the bike leg.

M45 16 out of 21
Male 84 out of 115
Overall 92 out of 144