Sunday 12th of July I started again on sprint distance triathlon. In the beginning of the year I had planned to do the Olympic Distance race, however you know the story why this was not going to happen.  Because it is the triathlon of my club Hellas, I had seen all the women doing their triathlon at the "Vrouwentriathlon" the weekend before and the opportunity to get some points for my club for the clubcompetition I would like to start on the spintdistance. Luckily I was able to shift the start from 1/4 to 1/8. My tactic was to swim and bike hard and then see how far Sione would get.

The swimming part was not going great. The "mass"start, finding a good position how did that work? PANG. Euh shit GO... heartrate 200, I am not used to this any more. After a reasonable swim, off to my orange racing monster, finally a race on my Equinox. In the mean time it rained cats and dogs and you had to be careful iin the curves and there were some big ponds on the road. However I got in my rhythm pretty fast and started my catch up.

I had no idea what my position was in the race and did not find out until back in the transition zone. I was leading the women's field and in the top of the overall field of my serie. I was accompanied by a biker (this seemed to be Jacqueline Rabou from Lanzarote who I met there during my Ironman there) and that was a very nice feeling again. However, for me it started now. I ran the 5 km with a kind of fear, but managed to complete it without walking. I was happy with the victory, but less happy with the reaction it gave afterwards. After the race we had to be volunteers at the showers. It was not really busy there, but was able to make a catch up chat now and then.

Fortunately on Monday I hardly felt anything anymore. And some reaction was not strange ofcourse. However, on Monday I had my foot in the "Biotex", as I had stepped in somehting during the race. I had not felt it during the race, but a small hole under my foot and some blood stain on my inserts of my shoes proved it.

Yesterday another Tour a la Drenthe (Tour to my parents who live in Drenthe, 1 of the 12 provinces of the Netherlands) on my program. This time, not like a few weeks ago North East, I had South West wind. It was not always the case but overall I had a pretty favorable wind. Nice weather and I had an enjoyable trip. On my way I was in Epe and made a pit stop at Jantsje en Hans, where I could also fill up my drink bottles. Thanks!

By the way to get your drink bottles filled is not always easy. During my last Tour I took the road via Apeldoorn (my route differs every time) I passed a petrol station Esso ("De Naald") and asked if I could fill up my drink bottle. "There is a watering can outside". Excuse me I thought and thought it was a joke, but no he was not there for filling up water bottles. Ban that petrol . Fortunately, they were a lot more friendly at Cafetaria, IJssalon Charly just a bit down the road. There it was no problem. So whenever in Apeldoorn and craving for some ice cream or fries, you know where to go .

Continuing about the last Tour: I did not keep it dry; 10 km before Ruinen (my final destination) I was surprised by a cloud burst and totally soaked. So just like Sunday again wet biking shoes. One advantage was that I had not cleaned my bike totally yet. 

Mom and Dad have their holiday so today they gave me a lift home and will we do a Tour de Betuwe on road bikes. But first off for some aquajogging.  (written 15 July)