First Triathlon

It is the 11th of May 2014 and after a good night sleep I wake up early in the morning to get ready for my first Triathlon ever. Although I had a good preparation for the first triathlon I was still a bit nervous of what will happen that day.

Great that the competition started at 1pm, so enough time to prepare myself. With my bike and all my stuff for the upcoming challenge I took the Munich underground to the famous Olympic Park. And already in the underground I met another participant and funnily he was starting just next to me and it was his 3rd Triathlon. His hints on what to think about in that specific Triathlon helped me to relax a bit.

After the check in of my bike and all other stuff what you need for your transition (water, power bar, cycle shoes, running shoes, socks, towel) it was time to change into my triathlon outfit and get ready for the swim in the Olympic pool.

Then I was standing there, second in line to jump into the water [funnily my registered swimming time was second slowest of the fast group] and then they guy infront of me jumped into the pool … so only 12 seconds left till my start … count down … 3 … 2 … 1 … GO

In my head I was super excited but as I already knew from my running where I’m also super excited at the start I only said to myself… swim slow… slow and steady with long strokes and off I went … slow and steady … after 2 out of the 8 lanes I was overtaking that first dude (who started first with the slowest swimming time of the fast group) … WOW … So now nobody was infront of me and I had all the remaining 6 lanes clear (my biggest fear in Triathlon was to be packed into one big swimming group and not getting ahead) So too not become over excited … swim slow … slow and steady … well that worked fine till lane 7 where I had my first foot cramp … ok keep calm … relax … swim slow … slow and steady. And then I went out of the water and I was first, what a feeling!!! [Please keep in mind there were 400 guys behind me who had faster swimming times, but I didn’t care] and the volunteers were supporting me: “Yeah you are the first!” 🙂

Transition from swimming to bike was good and went without big mistakes. Slow but steady …

I was on my bike and went onto the first of 5 rounds in the Olympic park, to get to know the course. Second round was even better and third was great. But in round 4 I got my first cramp on the bike so I had to slow down a bit and also the course was a bit slippery and very twisting. Then getting from the bike one volunteer shouted to me “You’re a the 5th guy”. Wow so I only lost 4 positions [please still keep in my there were 400 guys still behind me who started later] but hey it sounded great!

Transition from bike to running went like this … ok running with my bike to my transition position was good … put the bike back on a pole check … helmet down check … cycle shoes out check … both running shoes on check … wait something is in my left running shoe … 5 seconds I’m thinking is it ok to run like this? 3 … 2 … 1 … NO … so after taking the left shoe off and searching what might be in this shoe I found a … power bar (!!!) [Reminder to myself: Please check next time in the check in procedure if anything is still in my shoes!] ok I put the left shoe on and then something was in my right shoe as well a bit smaller but I decided to check this shoe as well. This time I had to search a bit longer but I found another [but smaller] power bar in my right shoe … then both running shoes on check … change the number from the back to the front check … Great then it was time to get back on track and to the start of the running trail.

Funnily the guy from the underground who started 1min behind be at the swimming was now next to me. We had a short chat and then I went of. And all the transition preparation from my trainings camp in Croatia was coming into place. Actually I was feeling very good in my running shoes [without all that power bars] and my pace was good. A former colleague and triathlete athlete found me and cheered me up [Thank you Hannes for your support and the pictures] and then the last 500m to the finish line.

Volunteers were handling out water but I refused and just saw the finish line. Wow what a great joy came over me. All this tough 6 month preparation was now paying of and all the endorphins were rushing into my body and with a big smile and hands in the air I was crossing the finish line. WOW what an AMAZING experience.

For the next three days I was full of endorphins and I was already looking forward the next two events in Ingolstadt and Hamburg. More from those two events in the next weeks …