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Channel Triathlon Rheine 12.08.2012

It was a Sunday of sunshine and good mood, the best cirumstances for a triathlon. The 11th Channel Triathlon in Altenrheine should take place, only half an hour ride away from our home. Swimming in the channel, well, take a look how bright the water is. First of all, when we arrived we received our starting bag, starting number and the lending chip. The transition area was really large, so we put our bikes at the places with helmet, glasses, shoes and number and waited together with friends for the start.
At 13:45o´clock, we went to inspect the channel, just a small entry or exit. Brrrr, cold, without a wet suit, warming up a bit and start. Guido had a good one and get out of the channel after 11min, he was satisfied with his time. I needed 14min, when I lloked behing me during the swim part, there were only a few left behind me. So, when I made my first turn in the water, the first athletes already sat on their bikes.
The exit of the channel was really funny, there was just one plank and on each side a helpful hand for pulling you out of the water. This was really nice.


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For the sprint distance you just had to solve 500m swim, 20km bike and 5km run. So, I grabbed my bike, helmet, shoes and number. Guido, had to get rid of his wetsuit and onto the bike course. The bike course was locked for traffic and the track attendants showed you when there were hard curves or whatever…
The bitumen wasn´t in a good shape and we had a bitter wind on the 10km round, you had to ride twice. Phew, but at least everybody had to solve it.
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Finally you had to run after the bike, so back into transition, change the shoes and off again, Guido had some problems with his insoles and had to try some more. Number to the front, off the helmet and running, felt like walking on eggs. The running course was also split into two rounds. The course was allright, on the sport field, grass, some road, some gravel and right along the channel. When I closed to the finish, I already heard the Cheerleaders and their shoutings.


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Cool, did it. A friend of mine and me ran the last 800m together, and also crossed the finish line together.
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When I crossed the finish with my time of 1:19h, Guido waited for me, he needed 1:13h. Good job. He finished 49th place overall and 8th in his age-group. I was 84th overall and 3rd in my age-group, I was so glad.

Now it´s time for chilling with some friends…


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It was a wonderful event and we´ll participate here again for sure.
See you soon,
Tanja and Guido from Lingen

( pictures : Michael Heckhuis)

 

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