Over the last two days I used the oppertunities to get some advice from the pros. At the Ironman 70.3 Switzerland they offered two swim practice sessions and two bike practice sessions with some of the pros that start on Sunday. At the wetsuit test on Friday they showed me how to put on the wetsuit correctly. I didn't know that it was a science on it own. Taking it off was a whole nother story. I was able to test my wetsuit a couple of times more and Jimmy Johnsen (DK) gave me some great advice to improve my swim. On Saturday Jimmy Johnsen (DK), Jonathan Hotchkiss (GBR) und Nicole Hofer showed us the bike course which I expected to be more hilly. Not like a short 15% incline isn't bad but I expected it to be harder (I am not complaining). On the ride on saturday I noticed that my bike needed some minor adjustments and thanks to Tempo-Sport (a local bike shop) all that was taken care of in few minutes.
At the Ironman shop I already saw my new bikeing outfit :) Red-White-Black Ironman 70.3 Switzerland shirt and pants that match my bike. Gotta have it.
Right now I am just relaxing and eating some pasta. I started drinking lots of fluids and I threw in some Magnesium and Calcium tablets to refill my body. I am really excited and can't wait for tomorrow to come.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Hallöchen from Switzerland
I GOT HERE...YEAH!
Finally arrived in Zurich yesterday morning.
Travel Plan:
6:35am left work with the company van from Sunset Beach
6:45am took the North Ferry from Shelter Island to Greenport, NY
7:00am breakfast roll at the local deli
7:15am the big mean Hampton Jitney lady wouldn't let me on the bus
7:20am my reservation was called in and I was let on the bus (the big mean lady did not appologize)
10:00am a "foreign" taxi driver pulled me out of the Hampton Jitney at the Airport Connection
10:05am the taxi driver ensured me the my bike case will not fall out of the open trunk even on the highway
10:30am I think I got ripped off by the foreign taxi driver ($20 for the short ride seemed a bit much)
10:45 I think the older check-in lady at La Guardia Airport, NY liked me...got my emergency exit seat (which everyone wants to have once they get into the plane and see the amount of space you have for your legs) but I had to pay $50 for my bike (I am just not as smooth as Rob who got through for free)
11:00am waiting...
11:30am trying to sleep...
12:00pm moving my num arm that fell asleep...
1:00pm why don't they have bunk beds at airports for those that have to wait so long? no one can sleep on airport chairs
2:10pm (20minutes until the plane takes off) running to the "bon au pain" stand to grap some fruit and joghurt (not like I could have done that an hour ago)
2:30pm securely fastened my seat belt (Toronto here I come...)
3:00pm we are flighing around some minor turbulences...
4:15pm arrival in Toronto ( the arrival felt like a triathlon start...business men&women get out first. The long hallway people kept their position according to seat number...T1 (the escalator) I took the stairs and pulled passed half the business class...jumped on the bike, (the rolling walkway that takes you through the airport even faster) passed another few on that...Still one business woman in front of me. I think I could have passed her on the run but she got dq'ed because the she did not go through T2 (the international flight connection passport control)...therefore I declare myself as the winner of the 1st international airport triathlon. (*crowd is cheering*)
4:50pm I saw a cyclist restaurant right next to my gate (their logo was a crank)...I had to go in
5:50pm two cokes, one plate of chicken quesadillas and one buffolo chicken burger later...I was ready to go to Switzerland
6:15pm departure from Toronto, Canada to Zurich, Switzerland
*At this point I have to thank Air Canada for their luxurios economy class and the great service. This has been by far the best flight I have ever had. Air Canada has been great...you can be sure that I will book you again.
I really did not notice much of the flight since I was passed out cold next to this little old man. When the stuardess explained the emergeny exit rules to us and he agreed I really wasn't to sure if he could have lifted the 65lbs door in case of an emergency.
7:30am arrival in Zurich
8:00am through customs, baggage claimed, outside the airport in record time (US customs should take a training course at one of the European airports to speed up their work process)
Once I located my dog it was easy to follow his leash to find the owner (my dad). We loaded my bike in the car and went home. Not sure if I can call Isliesberg, Switzerland my home but at least I sleep here one a year or so. That afternoon my dad took me out to Lake Zurich (OMFG waves)
This lake is no joke. It is soo long that wind speeds pick up and create some nice waves. I jumped in and tested my wetsuit for the first time to get a feel for it. I swallowed a few liters of water and decided I will give another shot tomorrow. (not gonna lie but I am a bit scared and I hope the other 1799 participants break the waves for me). Back home I assembled my bike and took it for a 20km "spin". What comes to your mind when you here Switzerland? Mountains? At least thats what it looks like here. I went up a few nice "hills" at a 10% incline. The down hills are amazing. The only promblem that comes up is that fact that there is no time to grab the water bottle. Either you go up hill and you need all your strength to get up or you go down hill at over 40miles an hour and you are too affraid to drink. My first day here was very intimidating but exciting as well.
Hope there aren't too many typos in this. I will post some more over the next days.
Finally arrived in Zurich yesterday morning.
Travel Plan:
6:35am left work with the company van from Sunset Beach
6:45am took the North Ferry from Shelter Island to Greenport, NY
7:00am breakfast roll at the local deli
7:15am the big mean Hampton Jitney lady wouldn't let me on the bus
7:20am my reservation was called in and I was let on the bus (the big mean lady did not appologize)
10:00am a "foreign" taxi driver pulled me out of the Hampton Jitney at the Airport Connection
10:05am the taxi driver ensured me the my bike case will not fall out of the open trunk even on the highway
10:30am I think I got ripped off by the foreign taxi driver ($20 for the short ride seemed a bit much)
10:45 I think the older check-in lady at La Guardia Airport, NY liked me...got my emergency exit seat (which everyone wants to have once they get into the plane and see the amount of space you have for your legs) but I had to pay $50 for my bike (I am just not as smooth as Rob who got through for free)
11:00am waiting...
11:30am trying to sleep...
12:00pm moving my num arm that fell asleep...
1:00pm why don't they have bunk beds at airports for those that have to wait so long? no one can sleep on airport chairs
2:10pm (20minutes until the plane takes off) running to the "bon au pain" stand to grap some fruit and joghurt (not like I could have done that an hour ago)
2:30pm securely fastened my seat belt (Toronto here I come...)
3:00pm we are flighing around some minor turbulences...
4:15pm arrival in Toronto ( the arrival felt like a triathlon start...business men&women get out first. The long hallway people kept their position according to seat number...T1 (the escalator) I took the stairs and pulled passed half the business class...jumped on the bike, (the rolling walkway that takes you through the airport even faster) passed another few on that...Still one business woman in front of me. I think I could have passed her on the run but she got dq'ed because the she did not go through T2 (the international flight connection passport control)...therefore I declare myself as the winner of the 1st international airport triathlon. (*crowd is cheering*)
4:50pm I saw a cyclist restaurant right next to my gate (their logo was a crank)...I had to go in
5:50pm two cokes, one plate of chicken quesadillas and one buffolo chicken burger later...I was ready to go to Switzerland
6:15pm departure from Toronto, Canada to Zurich, Switzerland
*At this point I have to thank Air Canada for their luxurios economy class and the great service. This has been by far the best flight I have ever had. Air Canada has been great...you can be sure that I will book you again.
I really did not notice much of the flight since I was passed out cold next to this little old man. When the stuardess explained the emergeny exit rules to us and he agreed I really wasn't to sure if he could have lifted the 65lbs door in case of an emergency.
7:30am arrival in Zurich
8:00am through customs, baggage claimed, outside the airport in record time (US customs should take a training course at one of the European airports to speed up their work process)
Once I located my dog it was easy to follow his leash to find the owner (my dad). We loaded my bike in the car and went home. Not sure if I can call Isliesberg, Switzerland my home but at least I sleep here one a year or so. That afternoon my dad took me out to Lake Zurich (OMFG waves)
This lake is no joke. It is soo long that wind speeds pick up and create some nice waves. I jumped in and tested my wetsuit for the first time to get a feel for it. I swallowed a few liters of water and decided I will give another shot tomorrow. (not gonna lie but I am a bit scared and I hope the other 1799 participants break the waves for me). Back home I assembled my bike and took it for a 20km "spin". What comes to your mind when you here Switzerland? Mountains? At least thats what it looks like here. I went up a few nice "hills" at a 10% incline. The down hills are amazing. The only promblem that comes up is that fact that there is no time to grab the water bottle. Either you go up hill and you need all your strength to get up or you go down hill at over 40miles an hour and you are too affraid to drink. My first day here was very intimidating but exciting as well.
Hope there aren't too many typos in this. I will post some more over the next days.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Wetsuit Struggle...
Hey sorry but I haven’t blogged for a while…but now before my race I figured it’s a good time to post a pre-race concern.
I am a bit scared this year even though I shouldn’t be. Last year when I did my first half iron I trained well but I believe I didn’t train as much last year then I did now. I kept a training log and saw that I swam 37000yard (which is a lot for me), I biked about 1500km (which should be more) and ran 32hours (which is restricted due to my knee). I really should be prepared and ready to go but I guess everyone is a bit nervous especially since it goes overseas for me this time. For those that don’t know I will be starting at the Ironman 70.3 Switzerland and my entire family plus extended family plus gf will be there. I am really looking forward to finally having a crowed that will cheer for me (hopefully).
Last time I looked I expected an incredible 1200 people starter field but my last research showed that they must have extended it to 1800. That’s nuts I can’t wait to jump into Lake Zurich with a few people. Talking about swimming there is my concern. I read that the Lake has a temperature of 15 degrees which is like 59 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s cold bbbbrrrrrrrrrr. So now I decided to get a wetsuit but I never used one in my life. Since I don’t like to be restricted in my shoulders I figured I will get a sleeveless one hoping that that will make the change from not using a wetsuit to using one less complicated. My problem is that I don’t have enough time to get used to a wetsuit since my race is in 10 days. Right now I don’t have access to a pool just the cold ocean and I am not sure if I can jump into the Atlantic yet. After all I bought a WetZoot at trisport.com which should get to me by Friday. On Tuesday I will take off to Switzerland where I hope to jump into Lake Zurich a couple of times. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get used to wearing a wetsuit?
I am a bit scared this year even though I shouldn’t be. Last year when I did my first half iron I trained well but I believe I didn’t train as much last year then I did now. I kept a training log and saw that I swam 37000yard (which is a lot for me), I biked about 1500km (which should be more) and ran 32hours (which is restricted due to my knee). I really should be prepared and ready to go but I guess everyone is a bit nervous especially since it goes overseas for me this time. For those that don’t know I will be starting at the Ironman 70.3 Switzerland and my entire family plus extended family plus gf will be there. I am really looking forward to finally having a crowed that will cheer for me (hopefully).
Last time I looked I expected an incredible 1200 people starter field but my last research showed that they must have extended it to 1800. That’s nuts I can’t wait to jump into Lake Zurich with a few people. Talking about swimming there is my concern. I read that the Lake has a temperature of 15 degrees which is like 59 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s cold bbbbrrrrrrrrrr. So now I decided to get a wetsuit but I never used one in my life. Since I don’t like to be restricted in my shoulders I figured I will get a sleeveless one hoping that that will make the change from not using a wetsuit to using one less complicated. My problem is that I don’t have enough time to get used to a wetsuit since my race is in 10 days. Right now I don’t have access to a pool just the cold ocean and I am not sure if I can jump into the Atlantic yet. After all I bought a WetZoot at trisport.com which should get to me by Friday. On Tuesday I will take off to Switzerland where I hope to jump into Lake Zurich a couple of times. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get used to wearing a wetsuit?
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