Ironman Kalmar Sweden 2014

Ironman Kalmar Sweden 2014

My big day has finally arrived. 3.8 km sea swim, 180,2 km bike and 42,2 km run. I prepared for it for 8 months. During this period I felt happy and motivated as well as tired and exhausted. I also had ankle injury for 2 months. It was hard as I was taking this challenge quiet seriously. I didn't want to just compete but finish in a good time too. The hardest thing was finding the time to train. Training for Ironman is a completely different lifestyle. 

My boyfriend and I arrived in Kalmar City two days before the event. I registered and then we had the race briefing. The day before the race we had to prepare our stuff for the race which was in bags marked as Bike (bike gear), Run (run gear) and Street wear (with post race clothes and flip-flops) as well as put our bikes into the transition area. These days were my rest days so I took  it really easy. I made sure that I hydrated well and was eating not just carbohydrates (pasta).

My Ironman challenge set off at 7 am early in the morning of 16th August 2014. More then 2400 people were joining me. Transition was open from 5:30 am so we had plenty of time to check our bikes and top up our nutrition. The sun was shining and the Baltic sea was welcoming us. There were signs posted with the times of the swim you are expecting to finish. My time when I trained for 3.8 km was 1 hour and 32 minutes. I didn't want to go to a faster group in case I will be slow so I choose 1 hour 45 minutes. When it is windy and the water is choppy it takes a little bit longer. My boyfriend was waiting with me until the start line. There were a few tears, a last kiss and off we were entering into the sea by wooden ramp. A big mass of swimmers was spreading around the swimming course. It looks like a stream.The Baltic Sea is not too salty. At the beginning of my swim I felt strong and I was overtaking lots of swimmers but when I swam over 2 km I was sick. I didn't stop but I change front crawl for breast stroke. When I felt better I swam front crawl again. Then I was sick two more times. I felt a little bit weak but I carried on. I knew when I'm out of the water I will be fine. 

As soon I've entered transition there was a shower. I was taking my time as I needed to get back to my racing mood. Then I changed into my cycling gear. I also saw Brano and I felt better. The route was 1 loop through the bridge to an island called Oland then back and 1 loop inland. I started eating my nutrition a bit later. The course was flat with a few little hills with stunning views and countryside. There were plenty of drink and food stations and toilets. Local people were very friendly and supportive and did Mexican waves. They shouted in Swedish "Heja" which in English means "Cheer". The sun was still shining but a strong wind came along. In a few parts I had to slow down. When I was approaching the bridge on the way back a hail storm started and then rain. Luckily it didn't last for long. Before I got to the transition again I dried out. I ate all my nutrition which I prepared as well as sandwich. I was counting down kilometres and kept telling myself it's only a few kilometres to go. 

The last part of Ironman was still waiting for me. Last time I get to transition to get changed. The route was 3 laps through the town centre and around. I received a coloured band each time when I did a lap. I started the run quickly. People were cheering and shouting. Children were waiting for high fives. The atmosphere was brilliant. Also on this course every 3 km were drink and food station and toilets. I saw Brano more often than on the bike. My first running loop was good. Pretty fast. I had slightly tummy cramps but manageable. Second loop wasn't too bad as the first one. Tummy was telling me off again with cramps. The last loop was harder. My legs become very heavy but I didn't want to walk. I ignored my tummy completely. I was fighting to the end. I managed to pick up my speed and I sprinted to the finish line. Yes, I'm Ironman! I did it in 13 hours and 23 minutes and 6 second. My race summary is Swim 1 hour and 43 minutes and 59 seconds, T1 (transition swim to bike) 9 minutes, Bike 7 hours and 19 minutes and 28 second, T2 (transition bike to run) 4 minutes and 27 seconds and Run 4 hours and 6 minutes and 12 seconds. I received a medal straight after. One of the volunteers was looking after me to make sure I'm ok. There was a group of them so everyone had turns to talk to athletes. They gave me a drink which tasted horrible but they told me that is good for my tummy. Then they took me to the Athletes village. On the way to the village I spotted Brano and he gave me hug and kisses and of course there were more tears. There was an ice bath which I had, a massage and loads of food. After my ice bath where I picked up my finisher T-shirt and met my boyfriend to celebrate. At the end of the event there were fireworks. What an amazing finish to the day! 

I wanted to say thank you Ironman for such a great experience. It was very well organised, roads were closed to traffic, well signed and there was no way to get lost. It was definitely worth it! Anything is possible! ;0)

Also I can't forget to say a massive thank you to all who were involved with my Iron mania. Even my parents who were worried about me, my partner Brano, my sister Denisa and her boyfriend Daniel Gooda, Robert, Yasuo, Robin, my coach Hank and Jenny Wilson for being my second masseur.  

And here are comments of some supporters: 

Branislav Rus

(Boyfriend)

I met Karin in September last year. She told me she does triathlon. I said to myself perfect! I am a bit sporty too. But when she told me she is training for Ironman and she explained what it is exactly I was amazed as well as surprised. So I started training with her. But it did not last long because she was exercise almost every day more and more and she was taking whole training very seriously. I supported her at the preparation races and she looked strong and focused. Every time she smiled to my camera when she passed me. We were worried about her training beginning of this year because she has twisted both ankles at Hellrunner race in January. She could not train for couple weeks and then she was on and off with training. Thankfully she recovered completely after two months. 

Karin also takes nutrition seriously. Sometimes she is telling me what meal is healthy and what to eat. ;0)

I believe she will succeed in IM Kalmar Sweden and I will be there to give her as much support as I can. Go my darling! You will be brilliant!

Denisa Polcerova

(Running buddy)

When my sister Karin told me about doing Ironman I thought she was mad. I have joined Karin for a part of her running training and she has greatly improved. I have admired her how focused and determined she has been, so many times she was exhausted, but still somehow motivated herself. Having to attend a few running races with my sister as well as seeing her training in general has given me a confidence that she is ready for the biggest race of her life and I believe that she will do well. 

Unfortunately I won't be able to be present on the race but my thoughts and energy will be with you! You already hold the title of Ironwoman! 


Yasuo Kimura
(Swimming buddy)
I've been training with Karin since November 2012. We swam in the pools, lakes and also in the sea. We both are encouraging each other. I'm always impressed with Karin pushes herself for training. Even if she is tired, she becomes strong once she starts training. Good luck!


Robin Allan
(Nutrition adviser and masseur)
I am very impressed with the dedication and determination karin has displayed during the long months she has been training for the ironman event in sweden on august 16th. She has done 100 mile sportives on the bike, 3 hr runs and long swims in a pool, a lake and in the sea. She has worked hard at fine tuning her diet to find foods that work for her during the event. All this whilst working full time has taken a lot of time and energy. Even if she doesn't start the event she's still my hero!


Robert Macmillan
(Cycling buddy)
I've known Karin for a couple of years. A some point she persuaded me to add cycling and swimming to my running and so do triathlon. (Yes, it's all your fault, Karin.) In the last year we have done quite a few cycle training rides together. This year Karin has been focussing on Ironman Sweden in August and I have been preparing for the half Ironman distance in Challenge Weymouth.
On the longer rides (50 miles upwards) I have noticed that Karin starts at a steady pace but as the ride goes on, and I start thinking about chocolate cake and recovery drinks, Karin gets faster. And faster. When I have asked her about this she looks at me in innocent surprise and simply says "I was pushing myself." (Yes, pushing me too...)
And this is the thing about Karin. She is highly focused and determined. Fatigue doesn't stop her. Pain doesn't stop her. When she has a goal she goes for it. When there are obstacles in the way, I feel sorry for the obstacles.
I believe Karin will succeed in the Ironman competition. Her spirit will triumph over the pain and exhaustion.Go Karin!


Hank Jandrell
(triathlon coach)
It has been a pleasure coaching Karin for the past few years. She is very determined and a pleasure to work with as she actually follows what is written in her plan!
She is great at giving feedback so we can adjust training to the changing needs of life. She goes into IM Sweden in the best possible shape and I know she will do amazingly well. Well done Karin and enjoy!