August 6th 2022, for me, was an important day. It was the day I competed at my very first Ironman triathlon 70.3 in Maastricht, The Netherlands. In this blog post we’ll talk about the months prior to the event, and last but not least my experience.
The Building Phase
My journey began a year prior, when I decided to compete at Ironman triathlon 70.3 in Maastricht, the Netherlands, and like many newcomers sought the help of a coach. I eventually went with Ferrum Endurance, and training began. I had previously started training on my own, but I had no experience in swimming and only recreational experience in running. Nevertheless, I made progress in both as well as in cycling, where I was somewhat familiar.
The Start of a New Adventure
A few meetings set the starting day, and training began. In previous months I had starting training by myself, so we had a decent base we could build on and started with trainingweeks of around 8hrs / 500TSS. The biggest disadvantage however was that I had nill experience with swimming and only recreational experience with running. So how do you go from there? That’s right, just do it. In the beginning I couldn’t properly swim 100meters and average times we’re around 02:00 mm:ss/100m. The same was true for running, an easy jog was 06:30 min/km… Lucikly for me, cycling was somewhat familar territory and my FTP-result was around 3.5W/kg. However, what we didn’t foresaw was my ability to progress.
The Only Was is Up
In the following months life somewhat changed. My body completely adapted to triathlon, I lost a significant amount of weight, FTP increased, and we were all astonished how fast my running and swimming improved. Also my mental state adapted to triahtlon. Planning became easy, and despite tough trainingweeks I never stopped feeling good. My FTP was around 4.0W/kgs, 05:07 min/km 18k enduranace runs and 01:44 mm:ss/100m swims became normal. This insane progression also fueled my sub5 dream at my first Ironman 70.3 triathlon. Though, everyone told me not to live for this dream and trust the proces instead of chasing goals.
The Execution Phase
Days flew by and without notice August 5th was there. After packing my bags and travelling I arrived at the scene in Maastricht. After a quick acquintaince to the perimeter, meeting some team members it was time to drop off my bike and go back home for some final preparations and rest. The night was short, and my alarm set early since it was race day…
Swim
The time between arrival and the start of your swim is killing. Your mind is going to places you have never been and doupt starts to seep in. You try to keep your cool, but whilst doing that I gave away my bag with my swimming gear… Luckily for me people know how I act whilst being nervous, so no man overboard, yet… You put on your gear and jump in line to finally start what you have been training for for the past months. Together with my coach we made a raceplan and we had a split of 01:47 mm:ss/100m in mind.
So it begins… Adrenaline is pumping and the first hundred meters are not going as planned, but when some fatigue has hit I start to relax and spend more time with my technique. Following the thousand meter mark cramps hit my calves and I am forced to swim with a flexed foot. However, the cramps eventually fade away! Eventually I swam 01:39 mm:ss/100m with a total time of: 0:34:26.
Bike
Out of the water and in to the transition zone for a “quick” change. Transition didn’t really go as planned and I lost some time here. Once on my bike and I was back in my element, ahead of me a very technical cycling parcours which I have ridden a dozen times. Our goal was 213W Normalized Power, but we hit 219W NP on the parcours overal. Timewise we completed the bikecourse in 2:36:09 over 87kms and 780hms, not bad at all…
Run
Back into the transition and again bad transition. Eventually both transitions we’re around seven minutes, because of restroom stops and therefore far too long. The run began hesitantly, do I have enough energy left for the race? However, after the first 5km I felt strong and started to dream again of a sub5. Nonetheless, remember to leave some fuel for the last 5kms to give it your all and that’s exactly what I did. The goal was 05:14/km, but we finished with a 04:58/km split. Completing the run course in 1:44:49 and emptying the fuel tank.
Result
Drained and satisfied I completed Ironman 70.3 Maastricht in 5:09:21. A time, which I have been told, is one to be proud of, since it was my very first long distance race. Moreover, if the transitions wouldve been faster and without problems the time would have been better. Unfortunately, the sub5 dream is still standing, but that means I will have to compete in 2023 again!
The Evaluate phase
Proud is the first word that comes to mind whilst writing this blog post. Proud to have finished, proud of the hours trained, and proud of my supporters. Moreover, this triathlon has made me realize how great the sport is and that the time spent reaching your goal is all but wasted. Therefore, planning the next season is something to look out for.
Review
Nonetheless, there were things during the triathlon course that could have been organized better in my opinion. Moreover, since it was my first ever triathlon I can not make a comparison with another race, but I will try and explain what I have experienced.
Transition area
The transition in terms of size was fine in my opinion. However, the lack of restrooms was terrible. Athletes were waiting approximately twenty minutes because of this and I can imagine that this was also a problem and issue during the race.
Swim
Our coach gave us a heads up a week before raceday that the water temperatur would exceed the Ironman rules and that wetsuits are not allowed. The organisation can not do anything about this, but the communication around this subject was vague. Just an hour before the race there was announced that the temperature was within wetsuit limits, but to be honost I doubt it. Furthermore, blue algae were detected in the Maas river, the organisation tried to create a better waterflow with pumps and continued the swim. The swim should have been cancelled in my opinion for safety reasons, since you tasted the algae the moment you jumped in the water.
Bike
The bike course was a technical one, but a dangerous one. Growing up near Maastricht gave me an edge, since I knew the course by heart. However, having very small pathways and very technical corners athletes will take unnecessary risks with dramatic outcomes.
Run
The run was fine, but perhaps a bit boring. Most people think they will run through the historical centre of Maastricht. However, the first few kilometers you will run across the Maas river without any sightings. Moreover, you had to run this path twice.
Overall
Ironman 70.3 triathlon Maastricht for me was amazing. It was common ground, the spectators were great, and the bike course is made for me. However, due to bad communication, a dangerous bike course, reviews from other athletes, and since it was my first Ironman I will not participate in Maastricht next year. Nonetheless, the race is great for newcomers and people who live nearby and it is an experience you will charise for life!
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