Triathlon XL - Gerardmer

The finish straight!

Early in the year I couldn't decide whether to register or not, then the event sold out, but they ran a "Plan B" lottery for places which might become available later due to cancellation, and it was via Plan B that I got my place.
Very nice to return to Gerardmer, and the weather was much nicer this year (not that the cool conditions were bad last year) - should be all ready for a good day.

The swim went as well as last year, so much space you are quite safe to pick your own free water in this lake. Now its obvious that the panic attacks can take place anytime on a swim, its not to do with the arms and legs in the face, or the waves catching your breath away. Instead, the idea of being in open water, with the constriction of the wetsuit around the chest is enough to raise the breathing rate and necessitate a session of breast stroke before calming down and continuing with crawl to the finish.

The bike was great again, climbed well and descended well, noting that some did not and one had gone over the barriers off the back of the cold du Grosse Pierre, and ambulance was on the way up to him. I had suspicions all was not well on the bike, but when starting the run it was clear the abdominal pains were here to stay for this run. The only way they would stop would be to stop running, so this became the main focus to get to the finish line!

Shame the run did not go as planned, but still a great day and still the best tri around.

Swim: 45:49; 1422nd
T1:  5:51
Bike: 1:00:47; 1:03:36; 1:06:17; 3:10:31 465th
T2: 4:00
Run: 2:04:01
Total: 6:10:14 +1:46:22; 486th, 69th V1H