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Challenge Regensburg
PirateATOM
✭✭✭
in Triathlon
*and suddenly the shopkeeper appeared*
What-ho Pirate-land, can't believe I was last here on 27/08/2013; my how time flies!
Anyhow, off to Germany this weekend for a jaunt around the Bavarian landscape and the inaugural Challenge Regensburg iron distance race. If anyone's in the region and wants to say hi, 'Hi!'
My race strategy is to start at 6:45am and finish sometime before the 16hr cut-off, and be home in time for tea and cakes (or probably more like beer and wurst), collect medal and t-shirt. Anything else is a bonus.
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Comments
well ahoy there pirate
Your name cropped up in conversation a few times last week as I was away with some disreputable rabble from Aylesbury !
enjoy Regensburg, I think I liked that one!
evening Meldy, I don't think you need to put 'disreputable', isn't that a given?
I'll let you know in 7 days if it's a favourite of mine too
How was it guys,did it when it was an IM event and thinking maybe going back as a Challenge,was it well organised.
Ambulance ? What Happened?
I did this as IM in 2011 ... loved it ... It's my PB race
Yes its my fav course as well has a bit of everything and a lovely venue
yay go atom!
have your legs recovered from that alpine jaunt yet?
On Sunday 14th August 2016 I took part in the inaugural Challenge Regensburg; sure, it was once an Ironman, and organised by the same team, using the same course, but this was to be the 1st Challenge outing. This is my race report (abridged) of a day, which resulted in my 1st Long Distance DNF, which I like to precis as: Swim, Bike, Run, Ambulance.
For those that haven't been to Regensburg, it's a beautiful German town, North of Munich, nestled in the Bavarian countryside, and a UNESCO world heritage site. The Challenge event was well organised, with the town happy to embrace an influx of triathletes during their peak tourist season. The race has a split transition, with the Lake (T1) some 10km out of town, and the run (T2) taking place within the town.
To be honest, my training for the event had been somewhat haphazard. I'd enjoyed an injury free Oct 15-Jan 16, and was looking forward to capitalising on my fitness up to race day when work intervened, and I found myself 'on the road', both in the UK and abroad, for 9 weeks from Feb 16, then an additional 4 weeks in Jun/Jul. So I reappraised my goals and opted for, it's your 5th Iron Distance race, keep to HR and cadence and see what happens (ie sod the time, get the bling!).
Swim (1hr 22m 04s): Great open water gravel pit for the swim, 2 laps with a 100m run between laps. 3 waves (pros +, sub 11h30, rest) 5 mins apart (I was in wave 3), then the relay teams a further 25 mins later. Quite pleased with my swim, fairly comfortable throughout and starting to overtake wave 2 and wave 1 swimmers by the end of the 1st lap. Into transition feeling fine, quick (by my standards) change, and off on the bike.
Bike (7hr 04m 29s): The bike was 2 laps, and took us through the scenic bavarian landscape. I think it's fair to say that this was when the wheels started to come off! Sun was already climbing (at 7:30am) and temparature climbing, and then, after 10 km, the 1st of 3 hills to 28km. Picked up 1 water and 1 energy drink from the aid station then flicked into a comfortable gear and spun up the climbs, keeping HR steady. Eat, drink, repeat, or so I kept telling myself. 1st error: noticed I hadn't got energy drink at aid station, but it was water; 2 water will be fine till next aid station I persuaded myself. Nice descent between 28k and 36k, then a gradual climb (minimal incline if truth be known) to 65k, sharp incline, then slow descent to end lap 1, in around 3hr 15m. Sun was now high in the sky, temps around 30. Was taking on fuel (or so my brain was telling me) but truth be known, turning the pedals was starting to feel tough even though HR was steady. Repeat long climb, collect drinks from top of climb, commence descent then watch in dismay as the water bottle fails to sit in the cage and bounces out onto the road; quick decision... 18k to the next aid station, stop and collect water or push on as it's only 18k? hindsight says I should've stopped but...! Continue on, drinking sparingly. Next aid station, refuel and keep going, however legs definitely lacking power, and looking at my tri shorts I noticed they was starting to turn white with salt crystals. Passed final aid station, 25k to go and my left quad starts to cramp. My addled brain puts it down to fatigue, gently massage leg, and press on. T1, lake, and then to the final 'sprint' to T2, which seemed to arrive after an eternity. Hand bike to helpers and run to the changing tent. 7 minutes in transition, involving drinking copious amounts of carbonated water (did I spot a potential dehyration issue here? Nope!), then onto the run course.
Run: Flat run course of 4 loops of the town. Aid stations at 0k (T2), 2.5k, 4.5k, 6.5k & 8k (repeat x4). Sun still beating down, and little in the way of shelter til the park between 4-8k. Lap 1, saw wife who said 'hows it going?' Me
Post-Race: Breakfast, ate lots, started drinking. Drank around 8 litres of water, couple of bottles of flavoured milk, 1 litre of coke, and eventually needed the toilet at 8pm in the evening, with pee the colour of orange lucazade (never a good sign). Arrived home to find I'd lost 0.5 stone,
Flippin 'eck lad ..see what happens when you go it alone!
Reflections on a DNF: Obviosuly, I was gutted not to finish, especially with only 4k to go. However, I've managed to identify some key errors that I made on race day, and in the lead up to the race. The disappointment is still there, but I'm actually quite pleased that the medical team were on-site, as I've no idea what state I'd have been in if I'd attempted to carry on. And on the plus side, I'm already planning next year's Ironman race, so it's safe to say I really haven't learnt too much from this experience
Jeez, Atom. Quite a return there. So glad it was easily remedied and thank goodness for the medical volunteers. Drastic diet though, eh?
Sounded similar to Funkin after he finished Wanaka, took 6 mugs of very hot soup and 7 blankies to warm him up and he was a proper dehydrated state too...he lost 9lbs in that race, so you're in good company
Love to you and Dis xx
The things we do to ourselves in the name of enjoyment! Glad you are ok ATOM, next time hopefully you'll see the danger signs and do something about it in good time.
Great report, Glad you are ok mate
Nice work on the not giving up though. I reckon you deserve a medal with a little bit filed off the corner.
See you at Lakesman ?
Drama queen! Huh! *flicks hair and flounces out of thread*