Quelle Challenge Roth.
13 July 2008

Husband Mike at the finish of Quelle Challenge Roth.
13 July 2008

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merryn.johnston@gmail.com

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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The other side of race day

It's just over two weeks since race day. I'm sitting in the living room of my brother, who lives on the North Shore of Vancouver, feeling like limp celery in the roasting heat. Outside it's over 35 degrees. Scorching!

After the buzz of Challenge was over, Mike and I took off in a rental car to South Tirol - a region in northern Italy with a lovely blend of German and Italian influences. They speak German there, making it easier for us. We stayed in a gorgeous holiday house with a big pool and caught up with each other. We realised, that we'd not had this sort of holiday, without stresses of work, training, races or home life since October 2006, so it was well overdue. We enjoyed the slow life: not traveling further than the nearest village for coffee, gelato, pizza and going for small walks. We experienced a 39 degree day, where stepping outside was like opening the oven door into your face - literally! The highlight for us was riding to the top of the Stilfser's Joch - an alpine pass reaching 2760 m with 48 hairpin bends! The mountains from here are snow covered all year so it was a funny juxtaposition of sports standing near a fully clad skier, when I had only a sleeveless cycling jersey and shorts on!

We returned to Roth, via a weekend stop in Munich to visit with friends, in time to say our farewells to the new friends we'd made in Roth. Mike flew home last Thursday and I migrated to the Stuttgart area to see friends from my times in Germany nearly 16 years ago. I had a fully packed 4 days rekindling friendships from half a lifetime ago, but it felt like merely months since we'd seen each other. Thank you to the Staeblers and Bolay families for their loving and generous hospitality.

Upon very short notice, I arrived Canada yesterday. My desired flights were totally booked out so I flew on standby and had 12 hours notice to get myself to the airport.

My plan from here is to prepare myself to race in at least one 70.3 (half ironman) event and return to Wanaka in September. My goals for the week are to workout the ideal location for training and the race timeframes and logistics. I'm not feeling super confident about it all, but know that it is the best option for me just now so am preparing to grit my teeth and make the most of the opportunity! Here goes!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Another one bites the dust

.. this blog title just popped into my head. This Queen hit was one of the songs that a race hot spot had playing as I trundled my way around the Challenge Roth course yesterday.

Challenge Roth 2009 dawned with perfect race conditions. We´d had some seriously cold weather in the 2 weeks prior to race day, prompting me to consider buying some thermals to pull on before the bike. Fortunately the heat promised for the following week was close enough to warm the day a little to be comfortable. Weather forcasts were for light breezes, low 20 degree temperatures and sun and cloud. It was a perfect day for record breaking and attaining dreams.

On this day 7 records were broken, the highlight of which was the phenomenal performance of Chrissie Wellington (UK), who broke the world record set last year on the same course by 15 minutes! 8.31.59. Her time placed her in the top 20 finishers overall! Rebekah Keat (AUST) was hot on her heals and also came in under last year´s record by 7 minutes. In her victory speech today Chrissie told us that whilst she hoped to be the fastest for the longest, she believes her record is to show us that nothing is impossible and that records are there to be broken. She is very much loved here, but also derserving of that praise. She is truly a wonderful ambassador for this sport.

My day started with my best swim ever. For 18 months, I´ve been aiming to swim under 57 minutes, and I took 3 minutes off this time. This placed me within the top 10 women leaving transition.

I knew this day would be excellent for supporters with such weather conditions (last year was pouring rain all day and only 14 degrees - awful for spectators) but I didn´t realise how exceptional until I reached the bottom of the famous Solar Berg. You could feel the energy brewing before you reached it, but as we rounded the corner into the hill there was a huge roar! The section of road is a normal 2 lane road, but the crowds on each side were so deep you saw no way through! I kept riding towards this mass and as I approached a wee gap opened and allowed me through. All the way up this approx 500m long hill fans were cheering for me like I was the race winner! Their energy carries you to the top of the hill and brings tears to your eyes. Amongst all of this I saw Thomas who cried `You´re in 8th place!`

During the second loop my energy levels started to wain some and I was passed by several girls. The ´little man´ (all long distance athletes know him) came and sat on my shoulder and began to whisper negative things to me. I reminded myself that my race starts when I run and tried not to worry about them. I didn´t notice the Solar Hill enthusiasm on the second loop - I was tired and trying to keep focussed.

The run quickly became a matter of survival. I am still trying to diagnose the reason for my lack of form but I felt pretty empty and by km 15 was looking for more than just coke and gels to sustain me. The urge to walk or even stop was great. I saw Mike finally at half way and disolved. He wasn´t going to entertain this and gently reminded me to keep the metronome ticking and putting one foot infront of the other. I had no reason to not keep going. I knew no one was going to get me to the finish except me and the more I walked, the longer it would take! So I walked and ran, walked and ran and at the 35km mark started to recover. I resolved to make it to the finish before 10 hours. My supporters from Heimerdingen, who came also to my last race and Roth last year, were there again with their bikes. I was grateful to have their quiet support as I muddled along.

I didn´t get passed during the run. Many of the girls had cooked themselves due to the furious pace that had been set from the start and had hard days too. Gina Ferguson (NZ no. 1) was forced to withdraw for this reason and it takes a lot to make Gina give up: she´s tough. I finished in 15th place again (like last year) in a time of 9.55. Just 3 minutes slower than last year, despite all the walking I did.

The men´s race was won surprisingly by a ´second ranked´ young German, Michael Gönner - one dream attained. The race favourite was ´stormin´ Norman Stadler, who improved his pb by 7 minutes and finished only 4th. He was run down by 3 better men on the day, including, the biggest surprise of the day the dark horse from New Zealand, multi-sporting champion Richard Ussher, who finished 3rd making him the fastest kiwi over the distance - the 8th record made. Wow. What a day!

Yesterday was just not my day. I had set some high goals for myself that we knew I was capable of achieving, but it didn´t come together to let it happen. None the less, I have been showered with supportive mails from my family, friends and contacts congratulating me on my race. I don´t feel deserving of these compliments as I didn´t achieve what I´d set out to do, but one wise soul reminded me that I am not a machine, I am human and we all have bad days in the office.

Thank you to all who have emailed me well wishes and congratulatory messages. I will reply to them as soon as I can. Mike and I have planned to spend the next week in South Tirol and Munich, returning to Roth on Monday. So that´s why there might be another silence - apologies in advance - but I´ll be emailing again as soon as I can. Yippee! Holiday! Can´t wait!

Labels: Hot air balloons over race start

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Mission accomplished

Sorry it´s been a while since my last entry. I don´t know where the time has gone.

I recovered quite well from the race, not feeling too tired or sore afterwards and so was able to move into some gentle but long-ish sessions within a couple of days of racing. I enjoyed showing Mike some of the rides I´ve been enjoying since finding my way around the area.

We spent week after Kraichgau in a wee holiday basement apartment on the run course, just around the corner from Susa and Michi. Susa and Michi have been so generous in sharing their home with me, and then Mike too and the time had come to leave them some space and peace and also for us to enjoy some time alone together after our time apart. Without Susa´s invitation to live with them for this time, I don´t think I would have made it here for another season abroad racing, so I am extremely grateful to her and Michi for the opportunity to continue this journey a little longer.

Last Saturday was the official opening of the Challenge ´shop in shop´ where the Challenge merchandise will be sold within a local sports store. To celebrate, they hosted a fashion show. Along with Susa, Michi, Luke Dragstra, Wenke Kujala (local pro athlete), I was asked to be one of the models for the new Challenge clothing collection. I think I´m better suited to racing long distance triathlon than modelling, but we had fun and I understand the show and the range were well received.

On this day, one week ago, we moved to our hosts from last year: Thomas and Christa, where we will stay until after Challenge. During this week we´ve had my last big training sessions (and I say we because Mike has joined me on all of them) and some indulgent recovery too. I attempted to train on Thursday but found my energy tank empty and after 15 minutes aborted mission and spent the rainy day watching movies! (I never do this so I felt pretty guilty for the lack of productivity). By the end of the day my energy levels felt better - which I needed for the last big ride we did yesterday.

Now I can begin my taper. I´ve done all the hard work now - mission accomplished - now I need to rest and allow the work to turn into energy . It will take all of the next two weeks for the energy to return so I need to remember to be patient and rest, rest, rest.

Tomorrow is the Rothsee Triathlon (part of a weekend tri festival, which has become one of Germany´s largest short course events), which marks the beginning of tri fever in Roth. The Challenge Roth athletes will be starting to arrive now and the bike and run course is never without athletes training in all conditions at all times of the day. The banners are up all over town welcoming the athletes to town and daily there is a news article in the local papers about athletes and tri related news. We are excited about meeting Wanaka Challenge athlete, Andrew McLeod to town soon. After doing all his training in freezing conditions and dark, if anyone, he has deserved some warm weather here for his race. At the moment it´s pouring and thundering again, so we hope it changes in time!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Challenge Kraichgau

Sunday 14 June: Challenge Kraichgau.

Today I attained my first podium finish in a big European race. I finished third in Challenge Kraichgau, a middle distance event (S 1.9km; B 90km; R 21km).

The field was strong both in the men's and women's - a true sign of the popularity of the Challenge events amongst the top athletes on the world stage. The men's field included Hawaii Ironman Champions Chris McCormack (Aust) and Thomas Hellriegel (Ger); 2007 Challenge Wanaka winner Luke Dragstra (Can); 2009 Challenge Wanaka runner up Keegan Williams (NZ); local favourite and winner of 2007 and runner up of 2008 Kraichgau events, Sebastian Kienle (Ger) and top athletes from South Africa, Australia, Denmark, UK and Germany. The women's field included Ironman winners Rebekah Keat (Aust) and Lisbet Kristensen (Den); top Ironman finishers Tiina Bowman (Fin), Wenke Kujala, Celia Kuch (3rd Challenge Wanaka 2008) and Melanie Hohenester all of Germany. I hoped, if my day went well that at best I might place 5th or 6th, remembering that I have no influence on my competition, only on my race.

The course was a standard lake swim, made enjoyable by being 20 degrees and flat; followed by what might be one of the toughest 90km bike courses that can be found amongst middle distance competitions; and a mostly flat run on a 7km course (3 loops).

I had an exceptional swim (by my standards). I swam 26.36: 1.5 minutes faster than my goal time and was pleased to exit the water somewhere between 5th and 8th place and transition smoothly.

We drove the course prior to the race and were astounded with how complicated it was! It literally was a roller coaster of constant climbs and descents with many turnings at intersections or corners within villages meaning the necessity for good bike handling skills and precise gear selection. The ride was lightened for me by the enthusiastic cheering of the folks who lined the course and the stunning scenery (I made time to look briefly!). It was also really motivating for me to have some special friends from my time in Germany 12 years ago come and cheer me on. With Mike's advice, I decided to ride somewhat conservatively on the climbs and make sure to keep especially well fueled and hydrated. I stuck to this plan and whilst keeping within myself, also kept in touch with the girls ahead of me, making sure they were in sight.

I didn't hold high hopes, but had none the less set a goal of trying to run under 1.30 for the half marathon. This time has been a sticking point for me for the last 4 middle distance events I've raced. We figured it was probably my max, but I thought I'd try for better. As I ran, I focused on my heart rate and really tried to run at what we thought would be close to my limit for the distance. I discovered after a couple of kilometers that I was beginning to catch the girls ahead of me and ran from 7th place to 3rd by the 8 km mark. What a thrill to have a lead cyclist in such a key race! It was an amazing feeling to be the one that other athletes on the course looked at and some even congratulated as I ran. I used to be the one doing all the looking not so long ago. I enjoyed running into the finish shoot with children with balloons and was proud to have Mike hang my finisher's medal around my neck and Felix Walchshoefer be the first to congratulate me. My run was the second fastest of the women's field (and under my goal by 1.5 minutes) 1.27.42. My overall time was 4.41.25, only 8.5 minutes slower than the winning female.

The winners on the day were local talent Sebastian Kienle, whose bike split averaged 41.1 k/h!!! And Rebakah Keat comfortably won the women's race after another Challenge Half win last weekend in France. More race info can be found on www.challengekraichgau.com And the day has its stories: Among the top 10 male and female starters of the day (no names mentioned) one athlete punctured and pulled out, but started and won the standard distance event later in the day; another was frustrated by a niggling back injury - he finished but was disappointed; one top female suffered at the hands of the technical course and crashed due to overbraking on an unexpected intersection; another top female dropped her chain three times due to inexperience on a technical course. The top athletes don't always have perfect races...

Now I have exactly 4 weeks until my main race Challenge Roth - twice the distance (twice the fun??) so the next couple of weeks are critical. I need to recover well from this race whilst trying to build in another 10 days of mileage and intensity before the final long taper begins. Recovery isn't going quite so well just now: I had too much coke on the run and it's after midnight and I'm not in the slightest bit tired yet!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Happy.

Mike arrived to Roth late on Sunday afternoon. His travel was totally uneventful; he met some really nice people on the way and all his luggage arrived safely with him. Phew! He forgot to pack a sweater so has been feeling chilly. We'll have to go shopping for something for him.

And I am happy to have him here.

I'm into my taper week. Sunday's training really stretched me, so I think it would be fair to say that the programme was perfectly designed to my capabilities. In total I am only scheduled for about 6 hours of training this week with the directive to do less if I'm feeling tired. I am enjoying having time to burn with Mike: we've had a long brunch with our hosts; whiled away time by the lake after a lake swim; gone for a walk. We never do this stuff at home so this is such a treat. But my focus is recharging the batteries in time for the race on Sunday. Feet up. Massage. Stretching. Rest.

We will drive the two hour journey to the Kraichgau region on Friday morning in time for the press conference. Felix Walchschoefer and I have been specifically asked for an interview as they are presenting Challenge Wanaka and want some 'local' input. I'll be honoured to speak about our wonderful town and the incredible impact that Challenge has made upon it.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Recover, recover, recover...

Recover, recover, recover has been the mantra on my training programme for the last week.

This week the focus was to increase the running mileage without compromising the bike riding quality. In order to achieve this, as running is what really causes the damage in the legs, there was a nap scheduled for each afternoon. I also spent time standing in the lake cooling my legs after training then jogging or spinning gently home. It's been an enjoyable process to allow unfold: training hard and allowing the muscle rejuvenation to occur. I feel good that I'm almost through this week and not feeling wrecked by it.

I found a gorgeous new one hour bike loop this week and along the way I rode on a brand new road that was lined with poppies growing wild. The farmers are busy cutting their long grass to make hay and silage. There are unfenced fields of wheat and other grains and the strawberries are ready to pick. The fields are opened to the public and you can rock up with your bowl and pay per kilo picked (I guess what ends up in your belly doesn't count!). This might be something nice to do maybe next week during my taper.

Mike arrives tomorrow after a loooong journey to get here. He has 3 stopovers; a 5 hour drive to Christchurch to meet his first flight and a 3 hour train ride before being met in Nuremberg by our host Thomas.

We are moving into the fast lane now with respect to timeframe before Challenge Roth. In preparation for the next race, my Pinarello was in at an excellent local bike shop (Thanks to Fritz Buchstaller Radsport) having my Ergomo power meter removed. Although this is a valuable training tool, it does weigh a little more than normal cranks and I just find the bike is more responsive to ride without it. So it's out for the next two key races. We have 5 weeks to go now. Michi and Susa have gone away for another long weekend of uninterrupted training. And on that note, I must go and run intervals in the rain on the canal.

Next report will be after Challenge Kraichgau. Check out www.challenge-kraichgau.com for race information and results. There are 3000 odd athletes at this event so it is sure to be a big party. I am looking forward to being at this race: I've heard great things about the scenery of the region and the race itself; I can't wait to race on a hilly course and have really enjoyed my communication with the race office. It will be nice to meet them finally.

Labels: Find the bumble bee

Monday, June 1, 2009

Eating New Zealand Apples

We found New Zealand Gala apples in the supermarket last week and I had to have some! They make me feel closer to home...

This last week, since Barcelona, has been really good. My training intensity was quite low so as to allow recovery after the race. I enjoyed a couple of lovely rides early in the week with no directives other than to get out and enjoy the countryside. I took my camera and found some new terrain. The weather was sunny and warm and ideal.

I found my energy lacked in the pool. To date I've swum amongst the first 3-4 swimmers in the lane but last week I was falling behind them all! I tried out my running legs properly on Friday for a middle duration run but this really whacked the life out of me and the remainder of the day was a sleepy haze! I had to miss a bike ride because of this. However I woke on Sunday with jumpy legs. I rode a solid time trial then met with my host from last year, Thomas who guided me over some quiet, narrow roads that I would never find on my own, nor be able to find again!

There were only 3 of us in the pool at squad today as it is a public holiday and I guess everyone else felt they deserved the day off. The main set was 2 x 2000m. Wow. The first one I swam in my Blue Seventy Point Zero swim skin. I've really enjoyed swimming in this suit. But I peeled it off for our second repeat and I figured that Matthias (coach and lead swimmer today) had stepped up the pace a notch. When we finished he declared we'd swum 5 seconds faster. I'd been swimming about 15% harder, I reckon. So: to all those prospective Kona athletes, or others with no-wetsuit swims ahead of you: you have to get one of these Point Zero suits! They really do make a huge difference to your swimming efficiency!

This week is a biggie. I've never seen so many words on my programme. In order to survive this one, or rather complete it successfully, I need to be really careful about how I spend my time after the training. Val has written me specific recovery sessions too. It will keep me occupied, none the less. I have 6 days until Mike arrives. It will be wonderful to be able to share all this with him. He is looking forward to finding some fitness again. I'm looking forward to having my rock with me.

Labels: Roth swimming pool - 50m of bliss