After Ironman Sweden, my main challenge of this year, I wasn't sure if I would be doing any races. I was afraid that I would be exhausted and I might get an injury. My legs were sore the day after but each day they were less and less achy. The first week I rested well and relaxed. I was tempted to do something though. A week later or so I started training again. I did only running as it's my favourite discipline. I noticed after the second run that I was getting strong so I signed up for a few races for this month.
6th September - Bray Big South Swim Challenge 10 km Team Relay
From left: Jon, myself (Karin), Craig and Clara
A friend Craig was telling me about this challenege a month ago. As I haven't done any swimming races on their own I said 'yes' just for the experience. It was held in Bray Lake Watersports on Monkey Island near Maidenhead. We were a team of 4: Craig (captain), Jon, Clara and myself. We started at 6:35 am but we had to be there at least 45 minutes before for registration and briefing. The swim route was 3 times 2km and then 4 times 1km. Jon went first. His time was pretty fast. Clara in the meantime was waiting on the bay where our handover was. Clara went second and myself third. Then Craig went fourth but he did 3 km. Last kilometer was awaiting for me. I didn't mind swimming 3 km as the Ironman swimming distance I did was 3.8 km. The water was nice and warm compared to the weather. There was a light shower of rain but at least there was a big tent where you could hide and cheer. We did it! Our time for the 10 km swim was 3 hours and 29 minutes and 10 second.We also ended up second in the team relays. What an achievement! I never thought that I would get another trophy! Well done team The Datchet Splashers! Looking forward to do another event soon! ;0)
Our trophy and medal
7th September - The Pharmalink 2014 Maidenhead Half Marathon
Brano and me before start line
As my fitness level from training for an Ironman was good, I didn't need to train much for this event. I always wanted to beat my PB from previous races. My half marathon PB was 1 hour and 40 minutes. The Maidenhead Half Marathon is good for PB hunters and competitive athletes as well as for beginners. It's a two lap course, flat and fast with the start and finish in the town centre. Because it's a local race to me, there were many friends running with me as well. My boyfriend came with me as support. The route was around Cookham, beside the river Thames and the North Town area of Maidenhead. Around 1000 runners were participating in this event. We set off at 9:30 am. The weather was perfect for running, not too hot and not too cold. There were 3 drink stations on the course and each time I picked a cup with water. I was also wearing my running watch to see what my speed was. The first lap I ran slower in a comfortable pace. Second lap I was pushing a bit until the end. I sprinted the last few meters to the finish line. I did it in 1 hour and 38 minutes. I was very pleased with it as I was faster than my PB by 2 minutes. My next target for a half marathon is 1 hour 35 minutes so let see if I can beat it next time. ;0)
From left: Becky, Brent, myself (Karin) and Yasuo
21st September - Etonman Middle Distance Triathlon (Dorney Lake)
Last year I did this race in 6 hours and 22 minutes and I wanted to see if I could get any faster. For this event I maintained my fitness level but I didn't train as hard as for Ironman. I quite enjoyed training less. On the day we started early in the morning after the briefing. It was very straight forward. Swim 2 laps in the lake, Bike 10 laps around the lake and Run 4 laps on the side of the lake. The temperature of the lake was still warm. The sun was rising above the water and it looked very pretty. Within 5 minutes we spread out from the start. I swam much faster this time and I could feel it. Luckily I didn't feel sick. In the transition I changed for bike gear. The course was in U shape. There were 3 sharp corners where you had to slow down, and one drink and food station. About my 4th lap a strong wind began to blow. In some parts I had to push much harder. I tried to do every lap in 20 minutes or quicker. I also spotted my friends Robin, Denisa and Martina. My boyfriend couldn't come this time. It was great to see familiar faces. So the second time I reached transition to change for running. I started running a bit fast. On the run course were two drink and food stations. I was splashing water over my body as well as drinking. My sister Denisa ran beside me while she could. It was such a buzz. It really kept me going. I must have been pushing a lot myself on the bike. Anyway I managed to run faster to the finish line. Oh yes! I did it in 6 hours and 7 minutes. I improved about 15 minutes. That's awesome. My whole training this year paid off. I was dedicated. What a great finish to this season!
And what is next? Hmm, Let's see! ;0)
Martina, me, Robin and my sis Denisa
