Hey guys,
what a rollercoaster of emotions yesterday. On the first lap of the bike, I still thought that I would soon take off the asphalt, I was traveling that fast. Then while running, I was close to dying at the half marathon mark. I just wanted to throw myself right into the bushes and lie down, and hope that no one will find me.
But one at a time ...
After a short night, we got out of bed at half past three. I even slept amazingly well 😉 Together with Julia I drove to Roth for half an hour, where there was already a lot going on. Despite everything, I was able to set up my transition area in peace and get my jersey ready. In the cold (around 12 degrees) I wanted to wear something over it after swimming. Shortly before the start, I peeled myself into my old Neo.
I had lent my new Neo to my buddy Steffen, to whom I was able to find a place three days before the race, and who then actually decided to take part 🙂 So he toddled for three days! and stood with me at the start, what a cool dog ...
Then it started, the water was so cold that I stood shivering in the water shortly before the swim start. Finally the starting shot was fired and off we went again. After a short time I found myself in a small group, we were doing pretty well and I was satisfied with myself and my world. Then I realized that we had lost touch with the people in front. I orientated myself back to the people in front and had to swim to a small hole several times. As soon as I lost my concentration even a little, I was a few meters away again 😉
With “iron teeth”, I clenched my feet floating in front of me and longed to get out. It finally came after 56 minutes and I stormed into the changing tent with the swap swap floating in the air. After a smooth change, I sat two minutes “under plan” on my planer.
After a few kilometers I found Thorsten and from then on we completed the majority of the bike route in visual contact. I had planned a split of 36-37km / h. mmhhh ... after the first lap I saw 37.5km / h on my speedometer and that although I was still quite cautious about the first lap. This time I meticulously followed my nutritional strategy and shoveled as much into myself as I could. On the bike I squeezed about 10 gels, 2 bars, 2 bananas and three / four liters of iso and water. As a result, for the first time I didn't experience a collapse on the bike and was able to keep the speed high. The Solarer Berg was again a very special experience, with a grinning face and what felt like 40km / h I literally "flew" it up. The crowds are always an experience!
On the last quarter of the bike course I suddenly lost sight of Thorsten, he suddenly pushed as hard as he could and I found myself in the situation: “Ride or let go”? With regard to the further course of the race, which also consisted of a marathon, I decided to wait and go at my pace. Then Anton Koller, who started in the relay and was doing his first bike lap, overtook me, and thanks to Anton's motivating words, he even gave me some of his gels, it got exciting again. For the last few kilometers I kept seeing him in front of me and finally rolled into the second transition area. I looked at my watch and just thought, "oh man, you cool pig actually drove 4:42, but was that not too fast?"
With an anxious heart I ran the first few meters of the marathon. In the end, there was nothing I could do to take back my bike split, I just had to hold together what I could hold together while running. The many spectators at the edge of the track were extremely motivating, some of whom shouted “krelli” 😉 Thanks to you!
The first 15km of the marathon turned out to be a lonely running unit, far and wide I saw no competitors and was really happy when someone overtook me or someone came towards me 🙂
I constantly checked my average speed and was dismayed to find that at 15 km I already exceeded 4:30 / km !! Shortly afterwards the "head game" began and I had to pull myself together really not to start right away. At km 21 I saw all my support and at the sight of me all their hearts slipped in their pants. Strangely enough, after two toilet stops, I felt a little better and at least I was able to maintain my speed. At 30 km, Thorsten came towards me, who delivered a crazy race, and cheered me on again.
On the way back from the turning point I saw that Steffen was running towards me, he had started 35 minutes after me, and I had to fear that he would catch up with me 😉 See picture below ...
... thanks again to "Team Arndt" for taking on Steffen, I think he didn't disappoint anyone with his 8:32, and that although he only started from the second group ... maybe I shouldn't have lent him my Neo after all 😉
Freely after the “sufferings of the young k.” I dragged myself towards the goal. The last few kilometers were the toughest I've seen so far. Fortunately, it was almost all downhill. I was infinitely happy when I was finally able to turn into the target channel. But the joy that I was able to achieve my goal, the sub9, with a time of 8:54 was infinitely great. In the end, my running time was 3:12. In the meantime, it only felt half as fast to me!
Thanks again to everyone who traveled with you for the great support!
what a day…
More soon, Triathlon TV recorded another video of me yesterday!
have a good rest and thank you for all congratulations!
krelli
Hey guys,
I can only say it again, you are really awesome! This number yesterday shot you into a new dimension 😉
By the way, cool photos with Julia ...
Enjoy the quiet days, we are curious what you plan to do next.
greetings
Paula, Judith and Tobi
thank you, too many flowers!
Just hard work like almost everything in life 🙂
see you soon
Michael
hey congratulations from me too !!! Simply great!
Greetings Tobi2
Wow ... what a great time, huge congratulations !!!
Can't wait to buy your book, you couldn't do better advertising. One thing is clear, whoever delivers a race like this knows their "craft" ;-))) and you can learn a lot from them.
Have a good rest and enjoy your great success!
Triamones
Thank you Tobi and Triamone for your great praise, I'm very happy!
It was a tough day and I'm still knocked out, I'm going to bed at nine thirty tonight, until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow 😉
Good night!
krelli
hey
you're knocked out ... I'd be disintegrated into my individual parts spread over a few km of the running route 😉
I just got your post from 07.07. read ... so if you are thirsty for a bottle of Kölsch let me know tobias.pettke@web.de
You deserve it 🙂
Greetings Tobi2
Congratulations from me on the fantastic performance. Anyone who, like you 8: 54h has demanded everything from his body, may also be knocked out and do nothing 🙂
I'm sure we'll see some more great competitions from you.
Greetings, Ivan
Hey Krelli,
Your performance is really awesome! Congratulation! I take off all my hats and caps in front of you.
Keep it up.
Keep on moving!
greetings
Andreas
Hey Ivan and Andi,
Thank you!! Keep a few more hats for the coming winter 😉
Ivan on Sunday we go, are you fit?
greetings
krelli
Congratulations again on this way!
What are your next goals now? There is now a big green tick behind Hawaii and the 9-hour mark 😉
greetings from Munich
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
mmhh .. let's think about it ... THE WORLD DOMINATION !! haha
No, rest first and then I have to finish the book by autumn ... and then I start thinking. But I think that I will attack this time from Sunday again 😉
Hello Thomas,
I am simply speechless what has become of you!
Really great.
My "record" 1.41 in the half marathon. Unfortunately, my knees are now broken (from all the sitting in the office)
Many greetings to parents and grandparents
and little brothers
Bernd Vogel
Hello Bernd,
Thank you! I didn't even know that you were walking?
Best wishes
Michael