Shanghai International Marathon - 12/04/2011

This was my first race in Asia and my third race overseas - twice I have run marathons in Europe. It was a fantastic experience! Because this was a last-minute race entry for me, I chose to run the half marathon. I ran a perfectly even paced 1:32 (7:02/mi avg), to finish 129th out of over 8,000+ runners from all over the world.

When I quit my job as Global Operations and Logistics Director at my last company, I thought my international travel days were behind me. Not quite! Two months after I started my new job as VP Operations for an Ohio Manufacturing company, I found out I needed to go to China for a few things. My current Chinese visa expired at 12:00am on 12/02/2011 - so I had to hurry! Then I found out this race was going on during the weekend I was there - but it was already filled and closed! :( I told my friend in Shanghai about it... and he managed to get me in!

Race morning was nice as far as weather goes... clear, sunny and about 50F at the start. We started right on the Bund! Me, and 25000+ of my closest running friends from all over the world! See how tightly packed together we are? I had to stand, jammed in like this for about 45 minutes!

Before the race, there were drumlines, dancers and a "warm-up leader". It was quite something - not quite like the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Olympics - but you get the idea.

Then it was 7:30am and time to start!

The crowded start made it impossible for me to find my friend or for him to find me. The amazing thing is that since I was running with my camera, and taking photos along the way - I accidentially got a picture with him in it!!

About 5k (3.1miles) into the race, we ran up and over the NanPu bridge. I've driven across it scores of times, usually in heavy traffic... it was amazing to cross it by foot with zero vehicles on it!

First 5K was about 21:50... as it turns out, my next three 5K splits would all be the same! I ran quite the even pace for this race!

After about the 10k mark, I finally had room to run. I was surprised and impressed at the number of good runners in the race. I guess I shouldn't have been. This is one of the biggest races in China, and much of Asia. Runners from Japan and Korea were everywhere... as well as some "ex-pats" like myself from Europe and USA. The Chinese runners are solid as well. The fastest marathon for a Chinese was 2:12. Not too shabby! (the top 3 were 2:10-2:11... Kenya, Ethopia and South Africa).

My legs felt good, and since I carried my own nutrition, I was OK in that regard. I wasn't ready to experiment with the local energy drinks, tea or water on the course...

I kept taking pictures and video along the race course. There were a lot of people lining the race course - yelling "Jiao Ye" or something to that effect... Not sure what it meant, but it sounded encouraging to everyone!

In the last 5K of the race, we doubled-back along an earlier section of the race course, where I could see the bulk of the 25,000 runners... man - there were a LOT!

As I came to the finish (1K to go), I let my legs run hard, and had to pound up a bridge with a decent incline and decline. It felt good to have strong legs that far into the race. With no one behind me and no one to catch, I just pushed myself to the last 100 meters - which was packed with people. I turned on my video camera and recorded those last 100m. It was pretty cool!

Once I finished, I learned that I won a pair of socks for my finishing position. (top 50 won shoes, next 100 won socks).


I gathered my post-race food and drinks and my finisher's medal, then found my friend and his wife outside. We made our way back to the finish line to watch the professional men finish the marathon... and cheered in the first place man at 2:10:XX (from Kenya) and second (South Africa) place only :07 seconds behind! Third place (from Ethopia) made it to the finish, and then I was right by him when I staggered around, totally out of it. He had put himself into the hurt locker big-time... it was kinda cool to see a world class athelte hurting so much right after a race!

2011 Boston Marathon Race Report

3:08:33 in Boston – a new PR by 5 minutes and 6 minutes faster than my first Boston Marathon last year. This was a near-perfect day for me in terms of race-day execution (and I never say that!)!

This Boston was the culmination of 1045 miles of running in 8 countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Wales, England, China, Japan and USA) during the past 6 months to prepare. My VDOT was 54 during this training cycle (vs 52 last year), I’m a VDOT 55 now.

I am a much better triathlete than I am a marathon runner... but I love doing a spring marathon each year! It helps me stay focused in the winter months and building fitness toward a first April peak. From this strong running base, I can now focus on my cycling as the conditions get better for outdoor training. Swimming fits well with both activities.


I ran a rather even effort race, with the first half marathon (1:32:46) net downhill / Second half including Newton Hills of 1:35:47. It isn’t a “negative split” from a clock standpoint, but because of the elevation loss in the first half, and the Newton Hills (including Heartbreak Hill) in the second half – this result is very close. I have to thank my family, Coach (Gregg Brekke – GBCoaching.com), friends and teammates for all of their support this winter during the training cycle.

** Did I mention that the day of the 115th Boston Marathon was also my 39th birthday? What an awesome way to celebrate my birthday! Running the world's greatest marathon, and setting a big Personal Record! :)

Mile by mile breakdown:
M1 = 7:19 The race has started! It took over 4 minutes just to get to the starting line. No rush… it’s a long day! OK – I’m across the line now, and heading down the first hill out of Hopkinton! Such cheering! So many people! No room to run – I want to go faster, but it was OK to start a little easy anyhow.

M2 = 7:06 Settling in now – getting a little elbow room. I’m already too hot. Taking off the arm-sleeves and throwing them into the back of my tri-suit. Sure that looks dumb, but I don’t care!
M3 = 6:57 Now we’re on track… room to run, mind and body dialed in! I feel good, I’m comfortable and getting up to speed now.
M4 = 6:50 I’m feeling GREAT! I’m doing Boston again!! This is awesome! I remember a lot of these little towns along the way.
M5 = 7:01 Steady. Keep drinking more than I think I need. When to take the first gel? Let’s wait a little longer…
M6 = 7:02 Solid. Feeling good. Time for that gel.
M7 = 7:02 Everything is on track. I’m on plan. All is quiet in mind and body.
M8 = 7:01 OK – we are almost 1/3 into the race… the “hold back” phase will be over, and the “hold pace” phase will begin… so far, so good! The first 1/3 was net downhill… the next 1/3 will be pretty much flat. Let’s see how it goes!
M9 = 7:00 Feeling good. Drinking a lot… taking a lot of salt pills… on track!
M10 = 7:01 OK – 10 miles down… 16.2 to go. Feeling great!
M11 = 7:02 Steady, even effort at this point. Room to run. Sticking to the plan.
M12 = 6:58 I’m in the zone. Continuously focused on my pace and how I’m feeling.

M13 = 7:00 / HALF = 1:32:46 I’m on track for a really good race – that is if I can hold it together in the second half! A marathon always seems easy and going well during the first ½ of the marathon. It won’t get “real” until around mile 20 for me… sometimes “real” is OK, sometimes “real” is the wheels coming off. What will today bring?
M14 = 7:03 Wellesley College – screaming tunnel! Thousands of girls from the college come out to cheer and be kissed! They were out in force this year! It was absolutely INSANE!! This time, I actually stopped for a kiss! It’s all part of the Boston experience.
M15 = 7:05 The deafening tunnel of cheering girls was now fading into the distance… time to focus!
M16 = 7:01 Any mile now, the race will get “real” for me… mentally and/or physically. I need to be on alert for that and attack anything that comes up.
M17 = 7:06 First entrance to the Newton Hills – so far so good… (hind sight) probably should have taken a gel this mile… my plan was to do so at 18… body started asking for it, but I didn’t want to give myself a “gut bomb” with all of the Gatorade and salt pills I was taking.

M18 = 7:32 This mile was the only one in which I really had a “rough patch” and doubts … I hadn’t prepared my mind for the steep hill toward the end of this mile. My concentration had wandered – the hill caught me a little off guard, and the hill attacked me, instead of me attacking the hill - and I didn’t feel great. The mind started to think about things unraveling and all the other negative chatter that starts when the suffering starts. I decided to focus on nutrition and stuffed myself to leave no chances for the next series of hills… gel, lots of salt caps, and a lot of Gatorade. That turned out to be a very good move! I needed that kick!! (see my note in mile 17)

M19 = 7:20 Newton Hills continue to roll on. I’m feeling better now (that nutrition was needed more than I realized). Now I’m feeling strong and passing people on the next significant climb, and really rolling it out on the downhills… I am back on track and feeling good again!! That rough patch in mile 18 was put behind me quickly. Good job, Ken! Endurance races are so mental…

M20 = 7:26 the 3rd of 4 significant hills is here. Feeling good. Pushing it up the hill… passing a lot of people. I feel so much better than last year!

M21 = 7:12 Heartbreak Hill! I was totally ready and charged up the hill! I was feeling so strong, I actually started to worry that this wasn’t Heartbreak hill, but a smaller hill before – was I pushing it too much here? Keep pushing… then I saw all of the chalk writing on the road toward the top of the hill, encouragement for the Heartbreak hill climb… Yes- this was it, and I was just feeling so strong! Excellent mile! 7:12! (vs 7:48 last year)

M22 = 7:10 The worst is over now – it is time to hold on to what I’ve got (a sub-3:10 time) and keep the nutrition coming! Roll the downhill… gain speed… let the legs turn-over. Feeling good!

M23 = 6:52 I’m realizing that if I really start to push it, I can finish with sub 3:10 … Let’s ramp up the pace a little, and see how the legs respond. The engine room gives the “thumbs up” – feeling good – let’s roll!

M24 = 6:54 Feeling so strong, so good, let’s keep pushing this! I think Mark Durno ran a 3:09 something last year… maybe I can be a little faster! Whatever it takes to motivate me!! Let’s see if we can get down to a 3:09!

M25 = 7:05 I feel so good! So strong, still! People are blowing up all around me!! Be careful – keep the nutrition coming! Last of my salt tabs is in… wish I had a couple more – but I’ve already taken 2x what I planned to. Just hang on now! Stay consistent and steady! Watch out for the “trolley tracks” – don’t roll an ankle or something! Holy crap – there is the “CITGO SIGN” – that means 1 mile to go is coming up!!!

M26 = 6:16 ADRENELINE! I am passing the Citgo sign, and I think if I really push it, I can get that 3:08! THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN! I feel great during the first ½ of Mile 26… faster, faster, faster! Holy crap – I’m flying! As we ran down the little hill under the overpass to Commonwealth, My right hamstring starts to pluck! OH NO!!! PANIC!! I’m too close to my goals to let up now! Stay calm… DEEP BREATHS… SLOW… DEEP BREATHS… Don’t alter the pace. Breathe through this – hope it will pass. Coming up the hill on the other side, I kept pushing it (quads working) – just not over-kicking behind me. The sense of cramping is passing now… and we are turning onto Hereford!! This is it!!

0.2 to finish = 6:40 pace: This is it! Turning to Boylston Street! I can see the finish line! I’m going sub 3:10! I’m probably going under 3:09! WOW! Wonder where Amy is… Oh man… people are still blowing up around me! Careful – that guy just collapsed in front of us – no warning… so close to the finish… how can the body just stop like that? I can still pass a lot of people here – let’s keep the pace strong, but not over-do it and cramp up! Right on the edge! Smiling! People cheering everywhere! This is going to happen! I’m so happy! Last year, I could barely stay focused on the finish line (cramps) – this year I’m fully aware and enjoying it all! THERE’S AMY – HI BABE!!! Now – to the finish line! Head up! Bring it in!


3:08:33! 6 minutes faster than last year and 5 minutes faster than my PR in Cincinnati in 2009! I can’t believe it! I did it! All that hard work, training in the snow and cold, early morning wake-ups, all hours and miles logged!

As I start to walk away from the finish, the realization of what I accomplished wells up – I start to get really choked up. I ran a 3:08… I dreamed to get under 3:10, and wondered if I could really take that much time off year-over-year. The tears are flowing now… thank god for my sunglasses to hide my eyes… I keep getting waves of emotion… tears of joy… and of disbelief… 10 years ago, I couldn't even run 5 miles - much less a marathon. My first marathon in 2003 was a 3:49... When I ran 3:13 in Cincinnati, I wondered if that would be the fastest of my life. 2 years later, I'm running a "Three - oh - something"... I just can't believe it, and I wonder again - was this the fastest race of my life? Can I ever top this? Who cares?!?!? I JUST ROCKED THE TOUGH MARATHON COURSE KNOWN AS "THE BOSTON MARATHON"! Let's enjoy this!!

Now, I can barely stand or walk… not having to run or focus or push amymore has allowed my body to go AWOL. We are headed towards the medals, food and our gear bags now… Jim LaMastra is right next to me in this mass of humanity. Jim came in just before me – 3:08:14. He recognizes me first and we start chatting about the race. Jim and his father have run Boston together now for 9 or 10 years. Pretty cool!

Now, I’ve collected my goods and I’m looking for Amy. We meet up quickly, and head back to the hotel, which is right by the Finish area (thank heavens!). I have to get a quick shower in preparation for my post-race ice bath appointment. I hate ice baths, but like the results. Amy joins me in the 2nd floor suite of the hotel, where the athletes have an incredible view of the Finish line, and get the ice baths. She is there to document the pain and joy. : )


The rest of the day was spent walking the Freedom Trail, from Boston Commons to the North End (Little Italy). We probably walked 6 or 7 miles - which I think is good for my legs post-race. It is a great way to see the historic sections of the city, and to keep my legs from stiffing up too much.

Now, my second Boston experience ends on a very positive note. I came to attack the course and push for a sub 3:10 time. I accomplished that goal. My goal for next year will be to push toward the 3:00 mark. I think on the right course, with the right conditions, I can do it.

This year's triathlon season will be focused on Olympic Distance only - no Ironman this year. I will be working on speed, speed, speed. My next "A" race is Maumee Bay Olympic Triathlon in June, and my final "A" race will be the USAT National Championships in Burlington, Vermont in August. I hope to carry that speed into preparation for my 2012 spring marathon (TBD).

Training and swimming update - 2/6/11

OK - I've been so busy between travel and holidays, I've fallen behind on recording my progress (which is more for me than for anyone reading this...). Sitting down and taking stock for the "big picture" was a good thing to do this week. I need to work on a few things and make sure I'm focused on the right things, with about 10 weeks to go before Boston Marathon.

I needed to be putting in a quality 10 hours/week, and I was only getting about 7.5/week in December and January. I was "OK" with the holidays interrupting things - family needs time to be the priority. But then one local overnight trip, and 2 weeks in China/Japan screwed up my schedule and routine pretty badly! While traveling, I could run a lot (I did about 150km between the 2 weeks) and bike a little sometimes... no swimming. Only avreaged 7hrs/week while overseas - but at least I got most of my quality running in for Boston. I didn't realize how far off target I really was, until I went through things in detail this week.

I've had 2 weeks back in the States - with some measure of "normal"/"routine" - except that I'd been gone for 2 weeks from the family, and rightly so, they wanted me to forego training in favor of family time on the weekends. I did manage to get up to 10hrs and 12 hours this week - so I'm back on track (for the moment).


Swimming wise, I tried to get good quality workouts in these last 2 weeks, to get back up to speed. Last weekend, I was ready to jump back in with the group at Oberlin College, only to find it was an off week, due to the 5k / 10k swim challenge. Another week went by since I was with that group and on my own. I didn't like that too much. Try to push myself pretty hard - and I'm usually successful in getting a lot out of myself, by myself - but it just isn't the same as when you are in a structured workout, with a group.

Today, I rejoined the group, a little nervous about my time away, and the hard workouts the last 2 days. Today's workout was intense, but I'm pleased to say I felt like I did quite well!

The workout was 4,000y total - with the main set a 1,000y time trial (14:20 or 1:26/100y for me is a personal best!) Followed immediately by 3 x (200 @ 2:47, 2x100 @ 1:21, 4x50 @ 0:39). This was a BUTT KICKER! I hit the 200 and 100 paces right on, and like most, struggled holding that pace on the 50s. I FELT GREAT afterwards! Swam fast (for me) and strong, and kept up well with the group - except for Ed - he was FLYING! I'm gonna have to bust my ass to try to hang with him - a new challenge for me!

So, I feel pretty good about my run progress toward Boston, but know I need to bring more daily swim and bike time into the picture to round out my total fitness, and help me drop a bit more weight before Boston.

10 weeks to go - GAME ON!!
I was pretty worri

Training and swimming update - 12/12/10 week

What a week! Weather tried to get crazy and derail it all at the end. I've added in weights to my "swim focus" now... and my body is letting me know that I'm adding new and different stresses to it! I'm not getting enough sleep either - trying to do too much, and work is crazy - sometimes my mind won't shut off and let me sleep.

I did get my 4 swim sessions in for the week - barely... I managed only 3 quality sessions, and one "I don't want to be here / I'm stopping" session. Why "practice struggling"? So, only 6700yards for the week total. The quality of the 3 sessions had plenty of solid 50s in at 37/38 seconds each, and good longer sets of 400-700yds at threshold pace - which for me is 1:30/100y.

Work and holiday "stuff" and general fatigue from adding weight lifting and not getting enough sleep caused me to take Friday and Saturday as rest days. I hadn't had a rest day in 2 weeks - so I was due!

The highlight of the week was my 16mi run Sunday afternoon. I was lucky that the precipitation falling changed to snow. Some of my teammates braved the cold (35F) and ran in pouring rain and wind. I had the Oberlin group swim in the morning, and then the run in the afternoon.

My 16mi run wasn't perfect, but it was solid. Right at 8:00/mi average. It was approximately "even split". I negative split most of the second half, but the last two miles, I did slow down a bit. I didn't bring any gels or anything, and I think the morning's swim left me a little less than full when I started the run... plus the snow was blowing, and there were a lot of cars and no sidewalks the last 3 miles - which made dodging traffic and not turning an ankle a very big challenge.

Good news is that my running paces are about 0:15-0:30/mi faster now than this time last year. I'm using VDOT 54 now: (was VDOT 52 last January)
8:01/mi = Easy / Long
6:24/mi = Threshold
5:52/mi = Interval
5:20/mi = Rep
I just picked up Jack Daniels' Running Formula from the library to re-read again this winter. It is an AWESOME resource for understanding the science behind endurance running trianing.

2010 Racing Season in Review and Results

• What a great season 2010 was for me! 2010 marked my first year on the Snake Bike Racing team, my first Boston Marathon, my fifth Ironman Triathlon in 10 hours 40 minutes, and won the HFP Olympic Triathlon Series. It was a GREAT season any my first season coached by Gregg Brekke (www.gbcoaching.com).

A few things I did differently this season compared to the past:

• Full-time coaching from Gregg Brekke (www.gbcoaching.com).
• I took myself out of my "comfort zone" and to the next intensity levels
• Trained "like a roadie, with roadies" to take my cycling to my next level in the spring.
• More training with groups and track workouts with stronger runners
• Increased confidence to push the on bike and still run strong when racing
• Focus/dedication/consistency - about 15% higher training volume versus last year
• Skipped some mid-season "fun" races, to keep the focus on my Ironman Distance "A" race
• I stuck with the Jack Daniels VDOT running program for the Boston Marathon for a third season... just with a higher VDOT value (53). Learn more about VDOT running programs in one of my 2009 posts... and use http://www.runbayou.com/jackd.htm for a VDOT pace calculator.

RESULTS:
Catch a Leprachaun 15k - 3rd overall, 1st Age Group, Personal Record (PR)

Spring Classic 5k - 2rd overall, 1st Age Group, Personal Record

Boston Marathon - 3:14:30 - first Boston, held back too much. 2011 = ATTACK!

HFP Deer Creek Olympic Triathlon: 2nd Age Group, Course Record (self)

HFP Maumee Bay Olympic Triathlon: 1st Age Group, PR 2:10:00

HFP Vermilion Olympic Triathlon: 1st Age Group, Course Record (self)

Rev 3 Full Ironman Triathlon: 7th Age Group, 38th overall, PR 10:40:38!

HFP Portage Lakes Olympic Triathlon - Series Championship: 1st Age Group, Course Record (self), Won the series for the season.

3 Countries Marathon - Europe: Loved running from Germany to Austria to Switzerland! Because I raced Rev3 and Portage Lakes within 21 days of this race, I ran it for fun. Took a camera during the race!

2011 Season Goals:

• Race Elite Open - Olympic Distance
• PR at Boston Marathon... 3:0X time (current PR = 3:13)
• Olympic Distance Triathlon PR... sub 2:0X time. (current PR = 2:10)
• Try at least one road race, and stand alone Time Trial to see how I stack up amongst "pure" cyclists

What I intend to focus on this winter for 2011:

• Stay with Coach Gregg Brekke (www.gbcoaching.com)
• Focus on high intensity, speed, speed, speed... Zone 5 work!
• Work on my swim. (I'm usually top 5 on the bike, top 10-15 in the run... but 50th out of the water.).
• I joined a group of stronger swimmers for weekly sessions during the fall/winter,
• Had my stroke videoed above and below water and analyzed by a Total Immersion Coach

3 Countries Marathon - Germany / Austria / Switzerland - October 3, 2010

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What a beautiful and unique marathon course! The 3 Countries Marathon (Sparkasse Dreiländerick Marathon) runs along the pristine Lake Constance with the backdrop of the Austrian and Swiss Alps nearby... It starts on the picturesque Isle of Lindau, Germany, crosses the bridge to the mainland, follows the shore of the Lake to Bregenz, Austria, and then weaves inland through forrest, farms and neighborhoods toward Switzerland. The race turns around in Switzerland, to return us to Bregenz, Austria for the finish in the local Fußball Stadium. It was sunny, calm, and REALLY HOT (80-85F)... in Europe many of the marathons start late... 11:11am for this one.

This race was "for fun" for me... I had completed the Rev3 Full Ironman Triathlon just 22 days before and the HFP Olympic Triathlon Series Championship just 15 days before... my mind and body were not up for another big effort. I decided to take my camera along and record the experience in photo and video and really soak in the full international experience. My full photo album can be found at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=95349&id=1130619233&l=8f310f72ef and videos will follow soon, I hope.

I stayed the weekened in Bregenz, Austria. spent all of Saturday exploring the area. The city of Bregenz is fairly typical European city with good food, shopping and outdoor cafes everywhere. Pfänder Mountain is just outside of town, and I spent a few hours on the beutiful mountaintop area. It was breathtaking! I had a great Italian dinner at an outdoor cafe in the Grandplatz area of Bregenz.

Race morning had some real logistics to it. I chose to stay by the finish line, to avoid parking issues before the race, and not being able to get back to my car after the race. Bregenz is across the lake from the Isle of Lindau... so we needed to take the ferry across the lake. That alone was a beautiful experience! About 30 minutes to cross the lake in the calm, cool, sunny morning... Lake and Alps all around!







Once at the starting line, with the 6,000+ other athletes, we were greeted by the Mayor of Marathon, Greece! He was there to mark the 2,500 year anniversary of the historic run in 490BC by Pheidippides the Greek messenger who delivered news of the battle of Marathon. The Olympic torch was brought to the race and lit a flame at the Start and Finish lines. Very cool to pass under the same fire from the Olympics! Our race medals also had a commerative side for this amazing 2,500 year anniversary.

The race itself was again, not a big push by me. It was my second race overseas... and there are definitely things to get used to when racing abroad - mainly related to nutrition. I have realized that traveling in Europe is not condusive to staying hydrated like it is in the USA. I have to make a real effort to drink enough water! Coffee, beer and wine seem to be about all I get at restaurants. A 750ml bottle of water costs about $10! Beer is like $3-5... Coffee + beer + me = DEHYDRATED! I realize this now... looking back! It hasn't bothered me in training runs in the past (up to 24 miles in Germany) - but race conditions are different, and this is something for me to work on for future trips and races.


I started running about 7:30/mi pace for the first 8 miles per my plan. I did this with no trouble, all the while taking pictures and videos along the way. When I wanted to step my pace up for the next 1/3 of the marathon, I wasn't quite feeling it. 7:10/mi pace felt harder than it should have for me... but again, it was 85F and I was not getting nutrition I was used to on the course (I need to see what is in Peeloton Isotonic Solution).... I carried and quickly emptied my Fuel Belt filled with Cera Sport.



OK - how awesome is the name "HARD" for a town on the route of a marathon?!?!? My half-marathon split was 1H 37M.

Once we hit Switzerland (about 30k) I was starting to feel the heat, the sun, and the lack of proper nutrition... and the lack of marathon specific training in the past few months. Training for the marathon in an Ironman triathlon is definitely different than training for a straight Marathon, like I did to run my 3:14 in Boston this spring.




I didn't have the drive to put myself in the Hurt Locker for this race, so I backed off, kept the pace comfortable and enjoyed the atmosphere, sights and sounds... and take a lot of pictures. In the last 5K, I was actually overcome with cramps. I hardly ever get cramps, but with the combination of the heat and the lack of sports nutrition available to me, I got them quite bad. Not just my legs, but in my arms too! I was walking a bit to get some salt capsules into me and walk through the cramps when another runner came upon me, grabbed me by the arm, in broken english kept telling me it was only 3K to the finish and "Ve must run now". I picked it up again and chatted with him. My broken German and his broken English made for an interesting conversation. Turns out we were both Ironman triathletes who just recently competed, and were doing the race for fun. Very cool!


Once we circled back into Austria and passed back through the town of Hard, Austria again, I knew the finish line was coming soon... and my cramps had passed. I thoroughly enjoyed my run through the tunnel of screaming spectators into the stadium and to the finish line. A 3:40 marathon was one of my slowest (3:13 is my PR), but the experience of running through quaint little European towns and a couple big cities, while passing through 3 counties in such beautiful (but hot) weather, along a gorgeous lake and surrounded by mountains... was just incredible!


The crowds were fantastic along the course as well! The Isle of Lindau was simply PACKED with spectators! Very cool. The Bregenz, Austria area was a continuous tunnel of German speaking fans yelling to us "Hopp Hopp Hopp"... "Zuper"... and a bunch of stuff I had no idea about... :) In Switzerland, there were kids handing out food and drink at the aid stations and randomly along the course. It was so cute!

Post-Race was pretty great too! The entire stadium infield was filled with food, drink and massage tents. Oh - and did I mention Weißbier? That is a GREAT post-race recovery drink! :)

After I recovered, showered and changed back to my street clothes... I found a great outdoor restaurant in Bregenz, right on the lake, and enjoyed a delicious serving of proper Austrian wienerschnitzel. It was fantastic! Then I had to jump in my car, and make the 7 hour drive back to my little inn, in Swisttal, Germany and get ready for work the next morning.

This was a great weekend!