OstseeMan 2012

Finally, Torben and myself participiated here, at one of the toughest long distance triathlons of Germany, even of Europe, if you believe the organizer, by wearing the right clothes. Right clothes? Yes, the Pirate-dress, the triathlon suit. While we were warming up for the start, we saw Raini for the first time, by wearing a camera and waving a Pirate-Flag. I f I only knew yet, that it would become one of the best supporter-team ever… After the short count down was the start for the 11th OstseeMan 2012 and our 2nd long distance start ever. One special thing about this year, that the organizer changed the swim course, now you swim clockwise, to avoid some jams at the bridge. BY the way, no jam at the bridge, but at the turning buoys, with the (in) official boxing championships. You´ve to swim two rounds with each 1,9km in the 19degrees cold or warm Baltic Sea. Even after 2 years of triathlon, I don´t really like open water swim and wearing awet suit, and so I escape the waters after 1:26h, Torben came 8min ahead of me out of the waters, but loose some time while he searched his changing bag. Than we made our way onto the bike course of 180km and more than 900m od altitude. You have to ride 6 rounds with lots of tiny but hard ascents. Just in the moment when I crucified myself up the hill on the Sandwig road, I hear my name. Everywhere you got Pirates, screaming you up the hill. The only one I can see is Beni, I already got my tunnel vision. At this moment I knew, that I´m looking forward, for each end of each round. Than Robert passed me, it was like being passed by a jet, he took the bike part of the overall 3rd place Pirate-Relay-Team I met Heiko everywhere on the course, to support Silke, but also cheers for every Pirate he sees and he kept telling me, tah I was looking good, even on the last round. Yes, I know….everything hurts, but everytime I pass them, the pain is forgotten. After 5:49h without any accident, I entered the transition area again. Now it´s time fort he part, I love the most, running. Just a marathon until the finish, at this point, Torben is already an hour ahead of me. When I pass for the first time the Pirate-Support-Checkpoint I already ran 4km. Sabrina takes pictures and Raini told me, that I just have to go less than 40km until the finish. But…he´s right. Suddenly, running makes fun again. Also, tiny Pirates support the larger one, by shouting: Pirates, Pirates. I feel lucky, when I see and hear them, and of course we give a high five. Every round, I keep on running my way, my style, were supported and more. By having this kind of support, I´m sure be able to ran some rounds more, but anyhow after 4:07h and 42,2km divided on 5 rounds,  I turn onto the home straight, to the finish line… After 11:32h I cross the finish line. With this time I´m… Northern Germany Champion in my age-group, 3rd place overall at the Northern Germany Championships, and 4th place in my age-group and 19th overall, and one more fact, I needed 1:45h less than last time. Torben finished with a time sub 11 and a bike split of 5h, and had to wait for a while for me in the finish area. I´m proud to be Pirate… Daniela Rohlfs

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