This was my "P-Way"

It wasmy third try to get to the starting line, in 2009 I was injured, in 2010 I had the flu, in 2011 I didn´t want to particpate because of Murphy´s law an so it was my time in 2012. And, guess what, I made it to the starting line, I was really excited because of the large amount of starters. Because of the fact, that I paid very late the fee, I recieved only a starting place in the last but one block. It´s my own fault. The mood in Plettenberg is really awesome, everyone keeps telling whoever participated here. But, because of the large amount of riders, it was very difficult to ride your own way, and it was hard as well at the ascent to pass the others. I wanted to stay calm, and easy, but it asn´t possible because of the fact, of the talking with myself, it´s your fault, if you would paid earlier, now you got the problems of passing. Next year, next year... The first forest gravel ascent was like a small catastrophy, like Raphaela already told me before, everyone will ride criss-cross, get off their bikes, push their bikes from the left to the right hand side. It an´t be that hard to ride on the right lane, so, that anyone who is able to right an ascent of 10% can ride. I had some luck with me and ept on shouting at the others, but some kind of friendly, that they would let me pass.  Thank you, and go on... So, I did it my way, kept wondering in between, about the sucking men at my ass, but wihtout the possibilty about drafting at them.... The only thing I was worried about was my pulse after 2h, it was quite high with 186, and because of that I had a high average pulse, so I thought it can´t be that good to ride like this until the end. So, I ate some bananas and my gels and even drank out my bottles. When I rode on the last km´s I met Pitjes and was very cheerful about it, that I had now now Pirate security with me... Everything was fine until we came to a small ramp. I decided to get of my bike when I was in sight, because no one rode there, because it´s to narrow. When I was half way up, my legs called with a small approach of a cramp. When I was on the peak I prayed that it would last until the finish. And it worked.... My whining was quite loud and so I recieved lots of pity of the other riders. Sadly I had to get of my bike at almost every corner, because of the lack of technical abilityof some other riders. So, I suffered all the way and thought about the words Raphaela told me: after the bridge just 2 more km´s to go. So, grind your teeth and go on. Now my legs started to cramp almost every second. Than finally the finish line. It was all over, it shouldn´t any meter longer... THe friendly rider Jan Dirk of the Racing Team Fleckner, got my bike, I kept on whining, than another nice man came and helped me with my cramped legs and pushed them away, that hurt really much, now I was able to see the stars by daylight. My time 2:39h on the short distance and ended up on the 8th place in my age group and 20th overall. I think more wasn´t possible today. Iwas being welcomed by Bütti and Pitjes, Bütti helped me with mylegs again. So, after all, Plettenberg is one of the best marathon ever, with all the viewers and specators, but it isn´t really my course. To many participants, to much of not floating riding and all the pushing parts. You have to concentrate a lot on the ascents or downhill parts, to read all the others riders... But, I think I´ll be here next year again, but than in one of the front blocks... See you next year: Plettenberg!!! Frau Kaup

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