Race Preview

… are behind me — now it can finally start. What have I been doing over the last few days, and what’s still to come? Monday: 45min swimming with a few short intervals Tuesday: 45min running with 4x90sec fast Wednesday: 45min cycling with 4x90sec fast Thursday: 20min swimming, 1h cycling with 2x90sec fast, 30min running with 2x90sec fast Friday: rest day / travel day Saturday: 15min swimming, 30min cycling with 4x30sec fast, 15min running with 4x30sec fast The tension is slowly but surely building — but it’s a positive tension. No nerves yet; the experience lets me approach it all very relaxed. I have respect for the distance and the race, but no fear of it. ...

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. ...