Originally written in German. Translated to English by AI — please excuse any awkward phrasing.

Two days to go until the first race of the season, the Challenge Kraichgau. It’s always been a preparation race leading up to the season highlight — this year even more so than in previous years. Training under race conditions, essentially.

Why?

I was injured for a long stretch this year — almost 4 weeks out during the crucial base phase in February/March. During that time I ran exactly 20 kilometers. Cycling only worked with pain. Swimming was at least possible. In running I’ve probably made up the deficit — the recent training results at least suggest so. On the bike there’s still something missing; the long sessions aren’t quite where I want them yet. Of course I’d be further along without the injury, but for the Challenge that shouldn’t really matter.

So what can you expect?

Hmm, tough question. Of course I’d be very happy if I could improve on my result from last year — but that’s probably going to be hard. OK, I have 4 minutes in the bank from last year’s time penalty … but the run course is a bit longer, and above all this race is at the end of a four-day training block. Yesterday I started with 5h cycling and 30min brick run, today Friday it’s the long 2.5h run, tomorrow 1.5h swimming and 1h running — Sunday is race day. We’ll see how the legs are … I’ve done everything in my power to make sure I’m not fresh at the start and to make a time improvement as hard as possible.

What are my goals?

I want to focus on two things. First, testing the bike equipment; second, testing self-nutrition. The latter has the highest priority.

My time trial bike got its race wheels this week — the first two test rides were very promising. I’d had some concerns about the tall front rim, but so far they’ve been unfounded. The front wheel is of course more sensitive to crosswind than a standard training rim, but it’s actually much easier to steer than I expected. Comparable to a standard 5cm deep rim, I’d say. The bike has also gotten really comfortable — because the rim is much wider, the tire has a wider contact patch, which makes it really plush, almost sofa-like. No comparison to my standard wheels where every pothole hit you full in the face.

Testing self-nutrition is the priority. On the bike I’ll carry a concentrated version of my isotonic drink in one bottle; running, I’ll have a running belt with two bottles of concentrate. At aid stations I’ll only take water. Then comes the math — how many sips of concentrate plus how many sips of water equals the right amount??!?! And will there actually still be concentrate in the running bottles after the belt has been in the transition bag?! I’m curious how this will work out — if it goes wrong I’ll have a really big problem and a terrible bonk.

See you Sunday, keep on training!