Swiss Ironman 70.3 Race Report
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RV posted 1 year ago.
Hey Noel - Congrats on the qualifying! That sure takes off the pressure and now you can just focus on racing hard and not worrying about trying to grab a slot. Pretty successful 'training' day :)
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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Tikal Dog posted 1 year ago.
Great job Noel!
Some guy at Antwerp 70.3 will be happy you´ll "pass" your qualifying spot there (I mean ... you probably will do well there to).
The finish was indoors???????? Had never seen that!
Hyperactive Trifueler!!!! (I refuse to let the status go :p)
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triNick posted 1 year ago.
Noel - Congrats on qualifying, wow and even on a training race, great job!
After reading your brief race-cap I'm a bit nervous. I'm heading over to Zurich on the 19th for IM Switzerland. That water temp seem really cold. I know you raced on the other side of the lake farther south from where IM Switzerland will start from, so I'm guessing the water temp will be about the same when I get there in 2 weeks. I can't tell, did you have a sleeveless wetsuit? Now I might need to get a long sleeve wetsuit. What do you think?
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Star posted 1 year ago.
Hot Damn! Noel you are a Star! Don't forget us little people when you make it big time :cool: What a fantastic day for you! And you know I'll be there in Clearwater cheering you on in November my friend! CONGRATULATIONS again!!!
"I'm more fun than an iPod!"
My blog: http://star.trifuel.net
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toni posted 1 year ago.
That's great Noel! Nice job once again. Sounds like you've had a busy year by the looks of your blog. Keep it up!
-Toni
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. - FDR
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Noel posted 1 year ago.
Hey all, thanks for all the kind words.
I realy hope to see some more Trifuelers toe the line at Clearwater. Seeing Star in Florida will make my race ;)
Tikal: finish indoors, that was a first for me too. They did it because of space restrictions, but it was cool. It was in an icehockey stadion and people could see the finishers from the stands/seats.
TriNick: I'd def. Suggest a fullsuit. You could just bring your long john and buy a fullsuit at the expo.
www.noelbrand.blogspot.com
It ain't much, if it ain't Dutch!!
Sunday June 3rd I participated in the first Ironman 70.3 held in Switserland.
Rapperswil-Jona, located at Lake Zurich, was the host for this event with 1200 athletes coming in for race day. This event sold out in December 2006, luckily I managed to register in time.
On race day we had a break of the two day drizzle. It was sunny with clear blue skies, allthough that didn't help warm up Lake Zurich. The water temp was 14 degress, so the swim was shortened, out of safety reasons. The pro's where off at 08.30. With 110 athletes in the 25-29 age group treading water, waiting for the gun at 08.35.
My swim went great, I exited the water in 10th place (of my age group). Had a fast transition and then came the ass whooping. The bike...
One of the reasons I wanted to do this race, was because it would set me up nicely for the Antwerp Ironman 70.3, this would be a good training race. And the bike course was good training. Two laps with two huge climbs each, with a 10 % gradient. Ouch!
After 02.32'31" I rode into T2 and quickly started the run.
After 1k I felt I was paying the price for the bike course.
It was a tough run and I realy had to focus.
I did okay, I wasn't all that happy with a 01.34'38" half marathon, but I knew I wasn't in peak shape. Still, I ran faster then in Antwerp and Clearwater and this time there was a tougher bike course, so I put it in perspective.
I finished in 04.34'35" and came in at 78th out of 1200. And later found out I managed to qualify for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship. On a training race!!! So just like last year, I'll be off to Clearwater to race during the World Championship on November 10th. Hopefully my girl will be there this time, last year she couldn't make it and had to follow my race online, maybe she'll be able to follow the race from the sidelines.
I was hoping to peak during Antwerp 70.3 and qualify there, well now, don't I feel lucky to qualify and take the pressure off the entire season :D
I'm pleased, the Swiss race was tough, with talented and fast athletes and a suicidal bike course. A great atmosphere, good organisation and spectators on every part of the course. A great race to be a part of.
Check my site for race pics and more, take care
Noel.
www.noelbrand.blogspot.com
It ain't much, if it ain't Dutch!!