Belinda Granger at Oer Erkenschwick, Germany (2/80/20)

 

"Well I have now been in Germany for 8 days and I am loving every second. Europe of course is just so different to Australia. No one starts training until at least 9- 10am and you don't go to bed until at least 11pm. It has taken me a while to get used to it but I actually really enjoy it. It doesn't get dark until 10.30 so you can't really sleep any earlier anyway.

I arrived in Germany on the monday and then flew straight to a small town called Oer Erkenschwick. It was a typical little German town. The race was on saturday so naturally I thought "OK it will start around 7am on sat morn"- wrong!!! It started at 3.30 in the afternoon. Now this was a long course race- 2km/80/20 so it was going to take the pros at least 31/2 to 4hrs. Imagine the age-groupers who were going to take 6hrs plus- they weren't going to be finished until 9.30-10pm!!! I have obviously never done a race at this time so I really didn't know how to prepare for it. Did i go out in the morning and train, did I eat lunch?? I honestly didn't know and no one else seemed too concerned with it. So I just followed everyone else. I was staying in a hotel with Nina Kraft, Timo Bracht, Lother and Nicole Leder and Thomas Hellriegel so I wasn't short of talented company. The weather had been pretty good since I arrived- nice and sunny and around 27. Perfect for racing.

You wouldn't beleive it- race day was terrible. It was thundering and lightening and it was freezing!!! I actually thought they would cancel the swim leg because of all the lightening. They did postpone it and we didn't get into the water until about 4pm. I didn't have a great race. I was slow in the swim and had to ride really hard on the first lap of the bike just to catch Nicole Leder and Katja Schumacher. I caught them both at the end of the first lap and then continued to pull away from them. I got off the bike in 2nd spot behind Nina. She was about 4 mins ahead of me. I didn't feel so good on the bike and really felt like I had to work hard to get away from the other girls. I knew I would need as much time as I could get as they are both excellent runners.

The first lap of the run I felt OK and was running quite well. The second lap was a completely different story. My stomach was in knots and I couldn't take in any food or drink. Oh my god what a terrible experience. Both Nicole and Katja caught me and there was nothing I could do about it. I ended up finishing in 4th which wasn't too bad but I was sick all night and the next day.

Apart from that the race was unbelievable- even though it was totally miserable weather-wise the whole town was out to cheer us all on and they stayed out there all night- even when it hailed on the bike(now that was an experience like no other!). I had such a great time and can't wait to return next year with a little more experience.

I am now in Heidelberg staying with Katja Shumacher. I will stay here and train with her for a week. She is racing Frankfurt Ironman the week after Roth so we are almost on the same program. I will get to Roth on the monday and will begin my taper for the Quelle Challenge. I am really looking forward to it. The people have been so wonderful so far- they really know how to look after athletes. I have been so spoilt since I have been here. Anyway I will keep in touch and will definitely let you all know how the big race goes.

Until then

Auf Wiedersehen!!

Belinda xxx

Sunday Ride

There will be a ride this Sunday to heading for Stanwell tops & back though the park & up Waterfall hill, leaving at 6:30am from the centre of the park.

 

Just a few notes about Sunday rides:

1. The ride is open to all cyclists – however a general level of competence is assumed for long bunch rides and it would be courteous to introduce yourself if not known or any guests to the ride captain.

 

2. This ride is not recommended for beginners, however there will be a second group starting in a few weeks which will cater for slower riders who do not want to do such a long ride.  This will only happen if there are enough numbers.  There is a Wed/Fri session for beginners who want to enhance their skills and those who want to increase their fitness.

 

3. The ride will always stop for punctures and other mechanical incidents and if the bunch is inadvertently split up.  However, the pace will not be slowed down for one rider – if you feel you are struggling then perhaps it might be preferable to turn early.

 

4. The group will travel at a speed nominated by the ride captain.  This speed is usually 28-30kms average for a Waterfall ride which is mostly flat.  A hilly ride will naturally have a slower average.   As mentioned before a general level of competence in the bunch is essential – we ride paired up and on the wheel in front. Gaps in the middle of the bunch cause havoc at the back.   All calls must be passed up and down the bunch and all hazards must be called.

 

We want to provide a long ride for Steam members and their friends but safety is the main concern.  Our bunch is known for good behaviour and sensible riding – and we always have a ride captain.  However, if you feel you are not quite comfortable with the pace or distance, it is recommended that you increase your fitness and kilometres before coming out on the Sunday ride.  Watch the weekly updates for notification of the second bunch which will go out at a steadier pace and probably do less distance. Please check with Anna or Daniel beforehand if you are unsure of any of the above.