Originally written in German. Translated to English by AI — please excuse any awkward phrasing.
First it comes differently, and second differently than you’d think… That’s more or less how my 12th long-distance race can be summed up in a nutshell.
On Friday before the race I traveled to Roth, and the moment I arrived the special atmosphere was already palpable. By far the best that the triathlon world has to offer.
Picking up race registration went smoothly, then back to the hotel to be there in time for the pasta party. Among other things, there was this to eat:
…and plenty of it, and more and even more… simply delicious…
On Saturday the final preparations were on the schedule — a 30-minute bike ride with a few short hard efforts followed by a 15-minute brick run. After some rest and the usual bag-packing and gear prep, it was time for bike check-in. Thanks to my strong performance the previous year, I was allowed for the first time to rack my bike in a separate area of transition usually only accessible to pros. A small but lovely gesture from the Challenge organization — thank you!!!
Another nice side effect: more space, more calm — just the many photographers and press people were a bit unusual…
Race day began as usual with a very early alarm, this time at 3am — the only downside of getting to start in the first wave at 6:30am. After breakfast I headed straight to the start, arriving around 5am. After the last preparations and some nice conversations, off we went.
The swim was relatively pleasant since I was fairly far back and things weren’t too hectic there. Unfortunately it wasn’t particularly fast either — 1:05:10h is something I can’t and won’t be satisfied with.
A quick transition and I was on the bike. After 2km I lost my water bottle at the canal lock as usual, which wasn’t a big problem. And 8km later the race was essentially over in principle — front flat tire… At that point I knew a sub-9 was impossible, that would have required everything to go perfectly. So I changed the tube at a relaxed pace — 8 minutes lost. Back on the bike I was in no man’s land, nothing ahead or behind me — just the occasional other rider in the distance. My mood hit rock bottom and I spent the stretch to Solar Hill thinking about what and whether and how to continue. I couldn’t reach my goals anymore, and with the World Championship in Hawaii in mind, a DNF would certainly have been the best of all possible options.
Well, then came Solar and my mood changed instantly and it became crystal clear again what I’m doing here and why quitting isn’t a real option. You know what’s coming by now — but it still surprises you every single time. And as a reward I had the “hill” completely to myself this time, nobody ahead or behind me — and all those spectators screaming only for you, only for you and only for you. Absolutely incredible!!!
The rest of the bike was relatively uneventful, apart from a few dangerous overtaking moves by some relay cyclists. Guys — first, learn to ride a bike, and second, watch out for others!
04:55:52h was the bike split — considering the 8-minute mechanical stop and the remaining 170km at 90% effort, not bad at all.
In T2 I still needed to reassure myself with the help of the many friendly volunteers that continuing was the right decision. The vote was pretty clear, so onward we went — not at the originally planned pace, but at a relaxed training pace. Around km 7 I caught up with my friend Tobi, who was about 20-30 seconds per km slower than me at that point. Since we hadn’t managed to do a single training session together that year, I figured why not run alongside him for a while, chat, hand him drinks and sponges — essentially as a marathon helper. It was lovely — thanks for letting me do that and not sending me away!
For me it was a completely new experience — I took in the race in a way I never had before. You’re not in a tunnel with tunnel vision focused only on eating and drinking. Instead you have time to chat with volunteers, work through the full aid station buffet at leisure, really soak in the atmosphere and buzz. Simply wonderful…
Eventually, 11km later, the pace got too slow and too taxing for me, so I decided to push ahead at my own easy training pace and said goodbye.
The rest is quickly told — I worked my way forward past many more positions and crossed the finish line after a 03:16:33h marathon. Yes, I’m aware some people would love to stone me for that time after reading the story above… sorry…
Total time: 09:20:47h — 51st overall and 6th in my age group. Nice to know it was enough for 3rd at the German Championship. Even nicer to know that without the puncture and with the same relaxed race I would have won it; and nicest of all to know that with a proper race I would have won it convincingly… In hindsight that’s the only sour note, but I’d race it exactly the same way again.
Still to come were probably the most beautiful hours after the race — the late finishers and the finish-line party. Since words can’t do it justice, I filmed it. Enjoy.
Impressions from the finish:
Finish Line Party: