Triathlon Season Review 2021

An exciting, successful and injury-free season is now behind me. It was long and exhausting, also because in the end more races could take place than I had suspected at the beginning of the year. Triathlon is definitely back after a year off from competitions! And I am very happy about that.

But first things first: ​

My competition season started relatively spontaneously at Challenge St. Pölten in mid-May. When it became more and more likely that this race would actually take place, I signed up immediately. The race was perfectly organized and hard to beat in terms of safety for the athletes and supporters. That weekend I realized that triathlon events are feasible even in times of Corona and I was damn happy about that. Finally I was able to show what I have been working on with KickAss Sports for the last months.

Fueled by the euphoria of finally racing again, I was able to deliver a great race. By the way, you can find my detailed race report here. I improved my half marathon best time by several minutes and that showed me at the beginning of the season that the work with the KickAss coaches definitely pays off. My good performance made me want to do more and I signed up for the Challenge Walchsee-Kaiserwinkel again at short notice. 

I had already competed here a few times in the relay and also competed here in my first middle distance in 2018. For those who have not yet been there, this race is especially recommended. Swimming in the crystal clear Walchsee, surrounded by the mighty Kaiser Mountains. Cycling on a very hilly bike course with many small and winding roads. The half marathon leads four times around the Walchsee, also slightly hilly, but always with many spectators along the course and all this in a picturesque landscape. At this race I was able to get my first podium finish for this year. It runs!

Before the next competitions were already around the corner, I spent a week in St. Moritz. Primarily as a vacation, but also to collect a few kilometers for the second half of the season. Next up was my home race at the Rothsee Triathlon. Despite a clear improvement to my performance in 2019, I had to settle for fourth place for the second time in a row. Not that bad, because the joy of an increase in all three disciplines outweighed and I could again fight for the title, which probably only exists in the triathlon-crazy region around Roth – namely: county fastest.

One highlight followed the next. The Allgäu Triathlon. Legendary. Brutally hard.

I knew many tales and stories around the Allgäu Triathlon and yet my youthful recklessness prevailed and I thought to myself: “How hard can it be, this is a triathlon like any other”. Wrong thought. I had massively underestimated the course of the Allgäu Triathlon. Already during the cycling I had to leave some grains because of the steep climbs and then followed this hilly running course with the notorious Kuhsteig. At the finish line I was so exhausted that I couldn’t really be happy about my fourth place in the whole women’s field. But at the latest after a plate of cheese spaetzle and a good portion of Kaiserschmarrn I was overjoyed and also very proud of my performance. I was also able to win my age group and take home one of the coveted cowbells.

Two weeks later followed the Challenge Roth. Since I come from the district of Roth, it is in a way a matter of course to be part of this mega event. No matter if as single starter, relay or helper. I went to the start again with my family relay team, just like at the last event, and the goal was clearly defined. After the second place in 2019, we wanted to get the victory this year. My cousin (swimmer) and my mum (runner) delivered great times, and I was also able to set a strong bike time with a 35.8 km/h average. In the end it was really enough for the long awaited victory.

Last but not least

Actually, only one week after the Challenge Roth my fourth and last middle distance was coming up – namely at the Triathlon Ingolstadt. After consulting with my coach, however, I decided to re-register for the Olympic distance. My legs were still too heavy from the long and hard bike ride and I was extremely tired. Luckily I was able to change my registration the day before the race and I could start on the shorter distance. I could not have imagined a better end to my season. I won the women’s competition and I was able to celebrate properly at the finish – beer shower included. A great first season as part of the KickAss Squad.

Off Season is calling

Off Season – a term that is widely used in the triathlon world. But what does off season mean to you? For me it simply means not doing anything that has to do with sports and triathlon. And that for at least two weeks – better yet three weeks. Switching off, recharging the batteries, letting healthy eating slide, meeting friends, going shopping, sleeping late. All the things that are sometimes neglected during the training and competition phase. After two or three weeks you will feel like training again. 

In this sense,

have fun relaxing and see you soon

In diesem Sinne,

viel Spaß beim Relaxen und bis bald