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|  | | MR African in Europe |
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| 2010/7/13 - Albstadt Bike Marathon
After a quick visit to Namibia I was back in Germany to race one of my favourite races in Albstadt. This was my 2nd marathon I ever won in Germany back in 1999 and ever since just had good times at this well organized event. Here it is still about the riders and the ORGA team does a great job to keep it this way. Add to this the best spectator support and it is a no-brainer to race here year after year.
I have raced here in rain and 13 degrees but this time round it was the complete opposite. Sun and 36 degrees with the start at 12 o clock and all 3300 starters was up for a tough day in the saddle.
The first 5km was not too fast, maybe because of the heat, but then the race started in full swing and a group of 12 riders got away on the fast dry course. I was sitting uncomfortably on 10th wheel and tried to save as much energy as possible because I know that the last 3rd of this race is the toughest. No long climbs but therefore real steep ones and lots of corners. Oh and then the heat...
After 1hour and 30 min of racing the pace also got too fast for a “not yet fit enough” mr-african and I had to slow down just a little. This left me in the middle of nowhere for awhile. Later my good old friend Carsten Bresser and Thomas Frischknect caught up with me but by this time I was just happy to follow my own tempo to the finish. Think I burnt some “valves” or maybe “rings” in the first 90 minutes trying to stay with the leaders and with Trans alp one week away I did not want to blow an engine.
Another couple of riders caught and passed me and at the end I finished in 20th position. Not what I had in mind but that just show you that this is not an easy sport. If you not totally fit you will suffer... But sometime I like suffering as well.
Next on the cards Trans Alp challenge, a race I have done 8 times, won twice, got second place 3 times and 3rd once. This time though I am racing with my guide from Saalbach, Reini Woisi, and together we are old enough to take on the masters’ category. This will be final preparation for the Marathon World Championships 2 weeks later in St Wendel, Germany.
Till then.
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