Aloha from the self-proclaimed "solar island" Maui!
It is now past two days that I had much time to think about the race and after the rigors. I'm kinda still emotionally "broken" when I talk with Katie about the experiences of that day. I will now even try to grasp everything in words together unnd you thus at least a little insight into the events of my participation in the Ironman Hawaii 2009 to enable:
The day started as my other long-distance - inserts quite early. A View from the balcony was then automatically increase to 45 the pulse 100 beats: the total exchange area was lit and it seemed as if the place wanted to say, today is a special day - a very special one! We extensively and I have breakfast and at 4.15 clock we meet with Rosie and Steffi to trot to the start / finish ... The athletes have really not there early - our two girls, however, want as close as possible to the events to be there and are registered as a helper. Steffi and I get through the early fast through the so-called "Bodymarking" - here is the race number written on the upper arms - a very special atmosphere is here - all are unheimmlich tense and yet you can see the gleam in the eyes of the participants. The helpers here are all great on it - and want to ask from a completely endlessly fun and success ... As we enter the transition area, receive us our girls 
and guide us to the "competition equipment":) This is really nice, those are the two so close and us at the pump up the tags to help previously deflated tires. Everything is fine with us - others have somewhat more problems and find flat tires - there is then still remain calm - and that before such a contest ... The rest of the time I sneak it by the always full of expectant transition area, make Photos with and of the stars of the scene, for example, with Mark Allen! He has 6 times the competition can win here ... The current professionals meet all slowly - are devilishly tense. Andreas Raelert I change a few words - we press two fingers crossed for the race. Time passes slowly and then continues to increase the excitement.
and guide us to the "competition equipment":) This is really nice, those are the two so close and us at the pump up the tags to help previously deflated tires. Everything is fine with us - others have somewhat more problems and find flat tires - there is then still remain calm - and that before such a contest ... The rest of the time I sneak it by the always full of expectant transition area, make Photos with and of the stars of the scene, for example, with Mark Allen! He has 6 times the competition can win here ... The current professionals meet all slowly - are devilishly tense. Andreas Raelert I change a few words - we press two fingers crossed for the race. Time passes slowly and then continues to increase the excitement. 
clock around 6 am then I'm done, my patrol "Speed Suite" and get my change of clothing for delivery - nothing may lie at the wheels. All you need for the individual disciplines, must reside in the appropriate bags. We make a few pictures with our girls and alone and then it even down to the water. The crowds throng to the little beach and you can feel the Adrenalien really ... The faces are tense, thoughtful and joyful ... I hit a gel in the mouth and pour some water afterward. The sweet taste I will miss the next hour ... I push myself off one last time with Hilton and Steffi, we wish you a great race and then we will go to water. I swim to the quay wall yet - Kati sitting here with the two other girls. I can still send her a kiss and then I post in the 5 series at the outer left side of the swimming field. As with the 15 minutes early yesterday artenen professionals played the national anthem and then heard at some point the cannon shot. 
What happened then, I knew not to date, I had heard or read, the ocean turns into a washing machine! Self is in the back rows almost swam recklessly - (identified by a pink bathing cap), especially the women share neat. And not that this chaos eventually ceases. At each buoy, the field is really pulled together and the fight begins again ... A new experience - but one of many that day! The salt in sea water escapes me after a few hundred meters to the spit from his mouth and I long for another Gel. Swimming is all the way really difficult - you have to focus and find his rhythm again and again. After 1:05 hours I am from the water - I'm not as ready as in Frankfurt, but also a little disappointed. I had planned a time of 60 minutes ...
What happened then, I knew not to date, I had heard or read, the ocean turns into a washing machine! Self is in the back rows almost swam recklessly - (identified by a pink bathing cap), especially the women share neat. And not that this chaos eventually ceases. At each buoy, the field is really pulled together and the fight begins again ... A new experience - but one of many that day! The salt in sea water escapes me after a few hundred meters to the spit from his mouth and I long for another Gel. Swimming is all the way really difficult - you have to focus and find his rhythm again and again. After 1:05 hours I am from the water - I'm not as ready as in Frankfurt, but also a little disappointed. I had planned a time of 60 minutes ... The change works then great. I can wear the long, wet shirt well and sprint out of the dressing tent to my bike where I received my little girl - what a surprise! Just before I run loose is still a kiss:)
In the first few kilometers I will again overtaken by hundreds of athletes. I orient myself to my Ergomo, remain steadfast and turn the first loop to the east. When I was almost finished, I encounter Hilton and Steffi. Good to see they have also come through the proper swimming. Sometime I find myself on this incredibly long drawn then route to the west Hawi. I can press well, hold me back at each mountain, food, me very much. The climb to Hawi the turning point will be all right exhausting. It is several miles uphill - the sun and the temperatures here in addition to an already pulling juice from the legs properly. At the turning point of my working time would look quite passable from - to end my target, the Radsplit to 5:30 fold could.
What then came was certainly dramatic. The distance downhill from Hawi, we are all still with more than 60 km / h hammered down. Those were perhaps 10 km. Then again, the usual topography begins with the many hills and a few curves. In addition, we blässt then receive a steady wind. After another 20 km will be my legs pudding, my arms feel worn on - I can hardly hold on the wheel. I have a hellish slump, I can not explain. And then the wind, the mountains, the sun, the straight road ... I'm pretty much at the end. I hit the same pure two gels and pour me at the following aid stations with liquid. But it is not better. However, there is many around me so - something soothing! I expect every moment of overtaking that of Hilton and Steffi - but should it take ...
I torture myself over an hour without pressure in the legs. Here, I'll call me then again the support of many people in our memories at home. I can imagine, what they think and talk when they now see the split times ... Now and then I have good periods - but overall I feel completely drained. At the marathon I will not even be there. The last few miles then pull into the incredible length. At some point I'm at Energy - by lab - here I have to ! Run I get almost sick. Here overtook me then Hilton - it motivates me briefly and then takes off, as if the race has just begun ...
On the last meters gene Kona we have some momentum, I can gather strength again, I feel a little better. When I then descending from the wheel to feel my legs completely empty - I am moving to somehow change tent, can change relatively quickly and then it on the run course. Quite different as in my previous long distances I have to speak today not to approach too quickly. I have a really bad feeling. Katie, Rosie, and Steffi Thomi me cheering from the side - something that gives energy and I guess the first run loop on the Alii - Drive to the east in attack. Fortunately we had already seen the yes, but my distance is twice as long before. The turning point will not come, but always a new mountain ... There comes the first aid station (Aid - Station). I choose now to go with each and take as much as is. I pour my ice front and back top, water on the head and arms, I grab water sponges. The great cooling feeling does well to 4 minutes, then edited everything is evaporated. It is incredibly hot - I feel all the time, as if I was bursting with heat. After the first 10 km I can not, must insert a short walking breaks. I feel incredibly bad, could cry. What's wrong today? The constant "You looking gooooodddd!" or "Great Job" to the many viewers in this region of the zone can not help me somehow ....
I creep up the Palani Road - go here, but almost all ... My "on-the-fans" wait for me to motivate me - but I am completely on the ground. At this point I can not imagine finishing the race! On the highway I am looking for like-minded people and find Chris - an Australian. After a few word changes is clear that he has the same problem. We decide together to tackle the next few miles. The conversation with him distracts good, I feel it with every Aid - better station. The distance to the inflection of the notorious Energy - Lab runs infinite - just straight ahead again and again this hill ... we still manage. Hilton seems to me then even against relatively early run. At this time it's me again quite good and I am sure I will finish the race. The only question is when ...
I turn with Chris - about half a mile before I still see Steffi - and continuously drink ... get out the way out of the cauldron I do not feel as bad as described by many. This may, however, at my now again are very good shape. I look on the clock, and counting after I choose to now go back on pace for my goal, the "Daylight - Finish" to be achieved. I can raise my pulse again, and now literally flying over the route. Each Aid Station is growing My hope is to make it after all. I have to bite scary to think of the split to just over 8 minutes a mile. I finally get back and the extra motivation. On the horizon I am always looking Steffi - he can not see, unfortunately ...
sprint the last few meters down the Palani Road and I literally overtaking Andrew Low - perhaps you know him from the movie and book "From Junky to Ironman." Now motivate I and he yells that I should walk slowly and enjoy it:) After a left and two right turns I walk on the Alii - Drive to the finish. Hundreds of people scream, cheer - I feel like I'm in heaven ... Just before the goal posts Kati, Rosi, Thomi and Steffi - I clap off, get a kiss and then walk over the moon after 10:54:39 h the goal. This is based Steffi - he's been run 44 seconds before me ... Too bad we have not done together (!).
together with Steffi then I get my medal from the 
- Kati and the others come to us and we are all in the arms. I've actually done it - I still echoes the comment by the Moderator "You are an Ironman" in the ear ... We enjoy the next few minutes, tell us the experiences from the competition, taking pictures and trap at us from ever again ... Then come the first calls from Germany - really incredible support! hole, after many wonderful minutes, I still dazed change my bag, the wheel and we make our way to the hotel. True you can not believe it, that one is already through - many are still running on the track at this time!
some point, there are a few quiet minutes to think about the competition and to ultimately stuck in focus following:
This was by far the worst thing I've been through so far in a competition. The two burglaries at Radsplit and running, mental depression, the incredible heat and the wind on the bike I have demanded almost everything. I know now, that we must never give up - even if it is still so bad. People must stay calm, believe in yourself, think of the many people with a cheer, and above all, do not lose sight of the goal!
I did it - "I'm an Ironman" - and with your support!
MANY, MANY THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
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