The ban on doing good races over the middle distance has now finally been broken. For years I just couldn't find my way at this distance. I've been German middle-distance champion before (2010), but my times weren't good: twice the time in my middle-distance races was always slower than the total time in a long-distance race. Although I've been able to perform well in a half-challenge race from time to time, I've never been able to do that in an Ironman 70.3.
Surprisingly for myself, at the end of July I was able to win the Half-Challenge Poznan with a strong run. That gave me a lot of self-confidence and so I set myself a new goal: to win the IM 70.3 Gdynia. Easier said than done: There are only two weeks between the two races. The legs never get going. My swimming in Poznan wasn't good. Coach Jo and I spend a lot of time in and around the pool, analyzing mistakes and it takes almost a week for him to get me back on track. Mom takes care of the physical well-being, so I can only focus on training and rest. This is how two half-distances in two weeks should work.
Excited, I fly to Gdynia with Jo. Can I call up the performance from two weeks ago again? I'm still feeling tired ahead of time, but Jo is confident it will be fine. And it's going great! I come out of the water just behind the leader. Yes, swimming is finally possible again! Cycling is great as always! The combo: Fuji Norcom Straight, DT Swiss disc and front wheel, Continental tires and my legs are unbeatable: course record! It only gets a bit tough when running. Nevertheless, I win with a comfortable lead of twelve minutes. Finally I can hold my first IM70.3 victory trophy in my hands!
Unfortunately, we have already booked our plane for the next morning, which annoys me, because I would actually have liked to have seen Gdansk. But sometimes I'm lucky: Our flight is canceled and we "have to" fly back a day later! Completely satisfied we look at Gdansk on Monday with Peter Sauerland and his squad. After my two victories in the two biggest and most important triathlon events in Poland, everyone calls me "Queen of Poland".
Hardly home, it goes straight up to St. Moritz. This time my fears come true: two weeks of constant rain and cold. It likes to be two degrees in the morning. Long wheel units are eliminated, but my Wahoo Kickr reel is now very often in use. And I visit the swimming pool more often than originally planned. So the short break from a visit to the Eurobike is very convenient for me: Visiting my sponsors and initial talks for cooperations in 2016! Now I'm back in Mallorca, my adopted home, and I'm happy about the perfect conditions for my Hawaiian preparation. Four weeks on the island, then the form has to be right!
Sunny greetings, your Diana
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