Results matters – Back on the right side of 10hours
Ok, I have played down the importance of results, perhaps as I’m deep down a result addict and fear failure. Perhaps because I fear that I have set my goals so high level that its impossible to achieve them. So, I confess – results are not only a bonus – they are also what I bring home as a souvenir of achievement or failure. As the memory of the moments of pleasure and pain subsides my scores on the board remains. At least in my mind.
I am not a really talented triathlete so my ambitions are modest. I dont think I can ever break 9hours as +50 – even if I will keep trying. For me the limit is to be under 10 hours on the ironman distance. This weekend I finally came back to the right side of MY personal limit of what I think is OK for ME and what I at the end of the day measure my performance against.
This ”realization” (….) came to me after the Ironman distance race in Slovakia this weekend. It was a really, really hard race with conditions that I would never EVER have raced in – if I had not traveled with the whole family across Europe to the race.

Finish area being built in great weather 2 days before the race – warm and sunny – just the way I like it.

Race morning 17°C rain and thunder storm – perhaps that’s the reason there was not so many bikes (apart from my ARGON18 Beast) checked in at 06:00.
During the race I did as planned. Watched my pace/heart rate and paid no attention to place or time as the focus on result and other competitors during a race often can have a contradictory effect on performance/results.
When I came out of the water I noticed briefly that all bikes except for some pros where all still on the rack, when I came back in – all bikes except a few pros (6) where still out. So I figured that I was having a pretty OK day.

Heading out on the 6x30km loop (or as it tured out – 6x15km intervall straight against the worst wind I have ever experianced in any race – Hawaii 96, 97, 98 included).

1/3 of every 6x7km loop was on a trail by the water, then up into a park with paved road. Not easy on broken legs……
Breaking the finish line in 09:40 came as a positive surprise. It feels good to have achieved a decent result again and it balances the post-race pain I now have and that I had almost forgotten.
Best feeling – to have my family meeting me at the finishline!
Its really magic when you can turn a true shit day into a great result – just by focusing on the here and now – do your best and embrace the moment.

First prize for agegroup 50-55 – a bag full of beer (that’s the reason for the big smile). Award cermony Slovakian style at 23:00 race night ! I like!!
I will write more about the race and try to put together a more complete race report for those who are interested in a really cool race, but now – I got to get some results to my customers 😉
// DerDino