Europe Adventures
Berlin, Prague and Krakow
Summer's flying by! Faster than the Porsche's passing us on Germany's Autobahn. And even quicker than swimmers lapping me at the Columbus Triathlon. Well you get the picture. Within the week after racing in Monroe Falls Triathlon I was off to Berlin, Germany. My cousin Scott from Seattle met me at the Berlin Tegal Airport. Scott graduated Washington State University (Cougars) a year ago and saved up to travel 4 months in Europe. We traveled for 2 weeks via Euro rail system to Berlin, Prague and Krakow. Good times! I studied at Pratt Institute almost every art history - exciting to see the real deal in person first hand. During the trip Scott and I visited historical sites in daylight and night time partied it up. While I was in Berlin the Ironman Germany was going on in Frankfort. I found this out by a racer in front of me at the Columbus Triathlon who just completed that 3 weeks earlier. It's amazing the conversions us triathletes have waiting to jump in the water. A highlight in Germany was driving on the Autobahn. Scott and I rented for 24 hours a BMW 325D with 6 speed and navigation. We maxed out the BMW. It was a rush traveling 142 mph on the autobahn! Glad I had the Scion driving instruction week earlier at Mid Ohio Race Track. We drove from Berlin to Nurnberg. Stayed the night at my friends house in Nurnberg. Raced back to Berlin in morning for rental car to be returned on time. During sightseeing in Prague I saw a British guy with a Xterra World Championship (Hawaii) backpack. Talked to him and found out he's a top age grouper competing next day in the nearby mountain range. When racers were waking up at 4am to compete in Xterra Czech Championship I was exercising late night on the dance floor of a 5 story club in Prague. Training was definitely on the back burner during trip, but I did have memorable run on a Nike trail in Krakow, Poland. Checkout my Flickr site on the left for Europe snapshots.
Columbus Triathlon - Antrim Park
Columbus, Ohio
Paying the price for lack of training during Europe trip! Anyhow I decided to race the Columbus Triathlon - International distance. I needed to stay on racing schedule for Greater Cleveland Triathlon - Half Ultra distance. At least I competed in triathlon first time with the Orca wetsuit. Quarry filled lake was amazingly clear. Swimmers could see the bottom of lake. Swim course was triangle with 2 loops. Second loop it was becoming crystal-clear I really lacked endurance for this distance swim. Good news is the 1.5 K distance jump-started my swim training for GCT. Orca wetsuit really saved the day, but my energy was drained from the swim. Longest distance from swim exit to transition area I've ever seen. Bodyglide really works for getting wetsuits off quickly. Took my time putting the bike gear on. Right away happy to be cycling. Bike course was pretty fast. Enjoyed the smooth roads. Fun to view all technical cycling gear in action. Water and Cliff Bar blueberry flavor boasted my cycling energy. Transition from bike to run was decent. Run was scenic because course is on nature trail and around the lake. 02:55:11 was my race time. Lots of fun to hangout with Cleveland Triathlon Club members before and after the race. CTC racing support is awesome! My first Fat Rabbit Racing event. I discovered they put on a first rate event.
