Roth

I woke up on the morning of the 13^th with the horrible realisation that my race the day before had been a big flop. I had that awful sinking feeling deep down inside.

It’s been a few days now, and I’m ok. I can see why it went wrong, and I don’t think I could have given any more than I did. The body said quite simply, “not today”. There are some days where you can do no wrong; you are just “on”. On this day it was the distinct opposite- nothing went right.

I’ve been told that this might be “too much information”- so maybe skip this paragraph if you’re male! On Friday night before the race I had an unwelcome visitor- my period. Saturday I felt like I’d been kicked in the guts. On race day I felt fine, but clearly wasn’t. I think pre-period I retain a lot of fluid, and then I’m constantly peeing. On race day I peed at least 4 times on the bike and what felt like every couple of ks on the run. I think I must have flushed out all my electrolytes, because I ended up cramping on the run. My run ended up more like a shuffle, with each step from about 30kms an effort to lift the legs.

I think I thrive in the heat, but not so much in cooler races. It was perfect racing conditions, not too hot, not too cold, but I personally like it hotter.

So the official outcome was a 56 swim, 5:15 bike and a 3:37 run, giving me 9:53 and 14^th female. There was one thing I was really happy with- my T2 time was on fire! Just over a minute and the 2^nd fastest:)

The crowd support is incredible but it was great having some friends Hilary Biscay and Rebekka Essmuller out there- who understood and knew I wasn’t having a good day. Thanks guys.

Coming to Roth was a decision based on wanting to experience one of the most iconic races over the ironman distance. It was always going to be a tough race- one of the best fields of women outside of Hawaii. I would be racing against the current World Champ, Chrissie Wellington and 5 others who have finished in the top 10 in Hawaii.

Despite my performance, I’m glad I came, for one reason- to experience riding up Solarer Berg. Roth had a record 150,000 spectators this year. I don’t know how many thousand were on Solarer Berg- but there were a lot! You can describe it, but it’s nothing compared to the feeling. It literally gave me goose bumps and I just couldn’t stop smiling- it was impossible. You rounded the corner to a sea of people, who parted as you rode through them, shouting “hopp, hopp, hopp”- it was truly amazing. And where else in the World would you see the Race Director amongst the crowd, cheering, with a big smile on his face? Thank you so much for your support Felix- You treat all the athletes equally well, and it so much appreciated and recognised.

The things that make this race unique…

No.1 is the crowds and the family, inclusive atmosphere. Our home stay, says that after the race the town sleeps for a year until the race comes again.

Our home stay came looking for us on our bikes because it started raining. Our own mothers wouldn’t do that for us! Everyone’s home stays seem to go over and above the call of duty- they are amazing. Thank you Claudia!

There’s beer at the finish line, even if it is “alcoholfrei”.

Competitors are started in waves- in the first wave, there is a “sub 9 Elite” category for age groupers who expect to go fast, a great opportunity to start with the pros.

We were allowed to wear i-pods or thumps on the run. I didn’t, but the option was there.

Kristian had a great race to finish in 9:14. He was stoked that he was handed a bunch of flowers as he approached the finish and Felix was there at the line to congratulate him.

If you don’t finish in the top 10, you automatically become an age grouper. So I won my age group for the second year running. Personally I don’t think I should be taking an age group prize- I should get nothing. Last year I also won my age group, and left my trophy with my parents, I didn’t want the reminder. This year I’m taking it with me, I want to be reminded, it’s fuel for the fire.

I’m amazed at how fast Chrissie Wellington and Bek Keat went; 8:31 and 8:39, both faster than the old World Record- that has only stood for a year. I think the standard of the women is improving more rapidly than the men because not only has there been a big increase in women professionals, but we have belief and we’re pushing each other to step up. It’s great to see. After Paula Newby’s record stood for 14 years, it has been bettered 5 times in the last year (by Sandra Wallenhorst, Yvonne Van Vlerken, Erika Csomor, Bek Keat and now Chrissie Wellington) I think it reached a tipping point. In my mind I think it began with Van Vlerken going under 9 in her first Ironman race in Roth in 2007. I thought, “If this first timer can do it- then we should be doing it too”. It certainly captured my imagination. I think it was the start of a new era, when we started thinking about times, going sub 9 and the WR. The exciting thing is that so many girls are going fast, and as Chrissie said in her speech, the record is there to be broken. I don’t think we’ve seen the end of this streak.

So despite 2 years of “bad luck”, I still think this race is amazing, and a MUST DO on every triathlete’s list.

So for me, I’m now enjoying my recovery in South West England where my parents now live. We’re in the middle of nowhere and it’s perfect for curling up with a book and relaxing. The British summer is also pretty perfect for staying indoors and snuggling up- it’s about 20 degrees c and raining right now.

Still smiling.

Charlotte