Had a good week in Rapperswil on the southern shore of Lake Zurich. We arrived to fresh snow on the mountains behind the lake (and a jolly cold lake to swim in). It's a beautiful place, a medieval town with cobbled streets with amazing views in every direction.
Had a couple of very chilly practice swims which resulted in me purchasing an extra glamourous wetsuit skullcap, as I said to Chris, 'It's not a fashion show!' Thursday morning saw me out practicing the bike course, the first climb called Witches Hill had been preying on my mind since driving it the day earlier but I made it with alot of puffing and teeth gritting. Then I did the next climb that goes on for about 10km but isn't quite as steep. Chris decided to send me up a few more random passes, telling me he thought they were part of the course, as I got the top of about number four and almost started weeping, Chris informed me we weren't on the bike course at all and were lost!
Two days of torrential rain saw a clear morning for the race on Sunday, but the lake was still freezing and the organisers consulted their rule book and shortened the swim to 1400m. That was quite long enough for me, as there were about 300+ in my start group and I never really got any clear water all the way round. Couldn't even feel my feet because they were so cold, truly relieved to get hauled out of the water and shoved up the slipway. You can never predict race day, I had imagined the swim would be the most 'enjoyable' part of the race for me, as it turned out, it was definitely the least enjoyable!
The bike went surprisingly well (for me, a 'non-cyclist'), no punctures, no walking, no falling off and no bonking.......just lots more of that puffing and sweating on the hills, being chased by people dressed as witches shouting 'hopp, hopp', which I assume means Swiss for get a move on! I even had one or two moments when there was a chance I was enjoying myself. I stuck to my plan of making sure I ate and drank enough and even tipped some jissy gels down my neck, yuk! My legs were quite tired by the second lap towards the top of the climb but all in all it was as good as I could have dared hope.
Out onto the run, wasted over two minutes waiting to have a wee but still better than trying to do a half marathon with a full bladder. The run went along the gravel path next to the lake and into the cobbled streets of Rappersil, giving the lunching tourists something to look at! The course included three times up a big set of steps aptly called Stairway to Heaven. Saw Chris and the kids numerous times during the three laps which was lovely, and I felt fine(ish!). Never really had any inclination to start walking (also part of my plan, to run and only run!). Two hours passed pretty quick and before I knew it, I was heading up the finish straight with Indie holding my hand, to a noisy finish line inside the indoor ice arena. Job done....til next time!
Swim 31.15
T1 4.36
Bike 3.32.35
T2 2.57
Run 2.02.45
Time overall - 6hrs 14mins 9secs
