Postrace recovery, german style (alcohol free...)

With Roth my first half of the season came to an end. Not with the result that I wanted neither the finish time I was looking for, but with the satisfaction of having given everything and geting on the podium of one of the most prestigious triathlons in the world.

The swim started well, I soon took my place behind Pete Jacobs and Rasmus Henning and we opened space with the other triathletes. The pace was good and I was comfortable. Touching the floor after the swim the first mishap of the day arrived, It marked the rest of my race, I got a cramp in one of the hamstring and I had to make the transition very slowly to keep it from getting worse. I mounted on the bike in third place but with the reference of the leaders lost. I did the bike alone, I closed the gap to a mere 30 seconds of them but I could not catch up. Both Stadler and Kienle passed me in the second lap and were opening a hole, I kept my pace. I didn´t notice the work done on the bike in the first kilometers of the marathon, I ran at a good pace, doing my calculations to go under eight hours. At the half marathon my good feelings ended, what was left was pure survival race, forgetting the time and focusing on keeping the third place. The last two kilometers throughout the village of Roth were endless, despite the encouragement of the public. I arrived very tired at the finish line, maybe paying the efforts made earlier this season, unhappy with the result but happy with having fought once again and become a finisher, enjoying what I could within the incredible atmosphere of the Roth Challenge a race where I want to return, partly because of the race itself and partly because of the personal experience so beautiful that exists in this triathlon.

Dank Roth!

Many things to decide about my racing schedule for the second part of the season. The only thing I know for sure is that the 18th of september I will be in Mallorca racing at the Ican triathlon, a new excitig event that is going to be a referent in the triathlon world in the next years. Take a look at the video... I can!! www.icantriathlon.com

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Video of the European championships in Vitoria-Gasteiz edited by Xabier de la Fuente, eskerrik asko Xabier!!

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Uli was in Vitoria-Gasteiz supporting Virginia and taking pictures of the race. Here some of the pictures he took of me. Thanks Uli!

Moments before the start, tension...

Panoramic view of the Landa swim start, nice views, the water better than in many pools.

Coming out of the water in the leading group.

Start of the bike, too many people behind, making the selection.

Good roads to ride in the aerobars.

Nothing like a fresh coke in the run.

Still looking fresh.

Finish chute, very emotive, feels great to win at home in front of my family, friends and city.

View of the Buesa Arena, spectacular finish line. Lots of press and people. Thank you all!!

Difficult to summarize in words all the feelings experienced during this weekend. As a picture is worth a thousand words I have posted this photo of the run that pretty much sums up what has been for me this championship at home. I felt very supported at all times, here you can see my family cheering me, but have been many people supporting me before, during and after the race. I think this triathlon has become popular among many people in the city, there was a very nice atmosphere and much more public that we are used to see in our city. So I want to use these lines to shout a huge ESKERRIK ASKO!! (Thank you) all, because if this is known as an individual sport this time I felt the warmth of all of you more than ever. I am sure that this marks a before and after, and the short-term consequence is that in a couple of years we will have in Vitoria-Gasteiz an spectacular Long Distance Triathlon World Championships and I am convinced that the city will be even more welcoming for all athletes. Join us here!

Busy days here in Vitoria-Gasteiz for the European Long Distance Triathlon Championships. I am very happy with the warm wellcome that the city has offered to the triathletes. Racing at home in such a big event is something great, I will have a lot of extra motivation having all the people cheering for me. I am ready for the race, feeling strong and looking forward to tomorrow's race. I will let you know how everything goes tomorrow.

Good luck everybody on your weekend races!!

Jaizki Fontaneda's photos and Borja Lazkano's text, make this great article about myself, describing how is one of my training days and talking about different aspects of my preparation. It is in spanish, but I hope you like it, at least take a look to the nice pictures.

http://www.noticiasdealava.com/2010/06/23/deportes/otros-deportes/asi-se-forja-un-hombre-de-hierro-solo-una-lesion-en-diez-anos

Eighth txapela in Zarautz, I got the first one in 98, oh! I'm getting old ...

This year the field was deeper than ever, thanks to the race been included in the TriGrandPrix series, and the good prize money, a good amount of elite triathletes came to Zarautz. The swim was fun, with some waves on our way from Getaria to Zarauz; getting close to the beach I lost contact with the leading group and I wasn´t able to catch any wave, so I started the bike with some seconds lost. I went out on the bike with the idea of catching the head of the race as soon as possible but the Swiss Matias Hetch was riding strong and would not let me get close. It was at the 50 km mark when I found my best feelings, until then I was riding at Ironman pace, a bit sleep, it took me sometime to start the engine, but little by little I was getting a good pace and picking the right tone. At the top of Aia I was 30 seconds behind Matias and Mikel was getting very close, we started the run this way. By the third kilometer of the run I took the lead and after running a strong first lap I got a good gap and took it easier running at a more conservative pace and  keeping my lead safe in the two remaining laps. Clemente was running very fast, but the turnaround on the Malecon let me take the necessary references to keep the race under control.

The finish line was exciting and spectacular as always, like the rest of the race, the ambience is always incredible in Zarautz, can be sunny, rainy, cold, hot... the public affection is felt throughout the race. The cheers at the climb to Aia, running along the Malecon or passing through the human corridor that forms on the Main Street is without doubt some of the most amazing experiences I've ever lived in my career as a triathlete, and all this makes this triathlon always to be marked with red in my calendar. Thanks to Zarautz Triatloi Elkartea, the people that make this race possible, and above all: Eskerrik asko Zarautz!

Our video from Ironman Lanzarote is here at last, I hope you enjoy it!!

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