Blog 5: Ironman Switzerland

IRONMAN ZURICH - July 28, 2013

This was the second visit to Zurich in three weeks. The first was following a sensational drive from Lake Como in northern Italy, over a spectacular, high Alpine pass, to the hotel in Horgen, near Zurich. Here, the bike was put in storage until the race to free us of the hassle and restriction of dragging it around Europe.

On the Italian side of the border
near the summit of the Splugen Pass

A Sat Nav will not direct you from Como to Zurich this way, nor would this road feature in a European Road Atlas. The Splugen Pass, north from Chiavenna, starts with a 33km climb up a tortuous, narrow mountain road of countless hairpin bends, alongside vast chasms. This pass is typically closed from November through the winter. This year it was still closed in June. The Italian Swiss border at the summit is not usually manned, hence the bonus of not being stung for the road license sticker you have to buy when you enter Switzerland on busier routes. An absolutely amazing drive, but not if vertigo or narrow roads are an issue.

Three weeks later, flying into Basel from Manchester, for the Ironman, the landscape gave a completely different impression. The northern part of the country, where Basel and Zurich are located, is picturesque and scenic, but gently undulating, rather than the more spectacular, mountain scenery we experienced on our drive over from Lake Como, Italy.

Arriving through Basel Europort was an experience in itself, being sited at the junction of three countries. After getting the luggage off the carousel there were three options to exit customs - France, Germany or Switzerland. Taking the Swiss option it was a very short wait for a shuttle to the train station, another short wait for the train from Basel to Zurich, then another short wait for the local train to Horgen, where I was staying with Nirvana (the Euro version of Tritravel). At Horgen, the station was about 50 metres from the hotel. Swiss efficiency. Magnificent.

Typical Ningaloo tour bus passengers.
Swiss and German. I should drive the
 bus more often. For those who have
the impression I am not very dedicated
just look at the sacrifice made to get
to Kona

Meanwhile in Australia, the Murdoch Press, Abbott and Hockey, Gina and Clive, were warning us about the evils of carbon prices, environmental levies, high taxes and government investment in rail systems. The result of all this, they claim, would be inevitable economic doom and gloom.

Have they not been to Switzerland?

I don't think they have been on a tour bus in Australia recently either. My fellow tour operators are very grateful the Swiss economy is so strong. The tour industry is struggling from the huge fall of international travellers to our shores. Luckily, the Swiss can still afford to travel to, and within Australia. They are making a significant contribution in keeping sectors of the Australian tour industry afloat, with young Swiss currently making up a large proportion of the travellers around Australia.

Chilling out in Zurichsee

Lake Zurich is a fantastic location for an Ironman. A perfect lake to swim in, an excellent scenic bike course, challenging but not daunting, on impeccable roads, all superbly organised. Not so perfect though, is the fact that our hotel, which many triathletes were staying in, was 10kms down the lake from the Ironman Village. The athlete accommodation was very dispersed. There were no places to stay close to the race site.

The location of the "village" itself was fantastic. Start, finish and transitions were all here, and it was situated in beautiful parklands on the shoreline of Lake Zurich. This was perfect in the hot days leading up to the race, chilling on the grass, eating and drinking, with fellow triathletes, and frequent dips in the water to cool down.

Except the water was not cool. It was warm. This might sound nice, but for me this was a cause of great concern – no wetsuits allowed over 24C. Without the buoyancy of my wetsuit I thought there was the real possibility I could drown. And who would notice in the middle of 2,500 thrashing swimmers?

2013 European Champion
Javier Gomez

Whilst we were checking-in our bikes, the day before the race, there were a lot of support events going on. I assumed, as is usual, that these races were merely for children or beginner triathletes. But they were absolutely flying. As we got closer there was one who looked remarkably like Javier Gomez.

We had stumbled upon the European 5150 Championships (not that I know what 5150 is). With the obvious exception of the Brownleys, here were Europe's best, plus a fair sprinkling of world class Aussies and Kiwis, including the day's female winner, Emma Moffatt. Unfortunately, for Emma, the small detail of Australia not being in Europe prevented her from becoming European Champion.

This was raced in exceptionally hot conditions, which were a concern for my new mate Rob Doherty who had done most of his Ironman training in the wet and cold of Ireland. Following the race Rob went to congratulate fellow countryman Kevin Noble on his impressive performance in the pro ranks. Kevin responded by giving us some pre-race advice: "Get out of this feckin heat man, and put your feet up". (Rob ended up having a very impressive sub-11 race despite the heat).

Rob Doherty with fellow countryman
Kevin Noble

Unfortunately, following this sound advice was not as simple as it should have been. Amazingly, despite Swiss technological expertise and economic strength, air-conditioning seems to take a much lower priority than having a nice accurate clock. Our highly rated 3-star hotel did not even have air conditioning in most rooms. This was awful. During the nights leading up to the race the room temperature was 31C! It was practically impossible to get a decent night's sleep. Before the race even started we were dehydrated and knackered. Not good! 

But it was what is was, and there was bugger all we could do about it. The better news, and more importantly, all my limbs seemed to be functioning without any major issues, and I felt healthy. They say recovery is the most important part of training and over recent months I had done plenty of that. Also, the few rides that I had done were long and hard, and just 5 weeks ago I had done an Ironman. That had to be worth something.

By the time the race-day came, I had even got my head around the shock of swimming, without the buoyancy of a wet suit, in tepid freshwater. I just had to accept I would be slow. I was ready to go, able to smile at my incredible fortune of being on the start-line, in another magnificent location, healthy, and confident that I could get round without too many dramas.

Before my first couple of Ironman races I did get nervous. After a break of a few years I did my third Ironman, and first at Busselton. This time I remember standing with Mike Wren who was trying to reassure me I would be OK. I was looking out at the Busselton Jetty and practically shitting myself at the thought of having to swim all that way around it. I wasn't bothered about the rest of the day, just the Jetty.

Since then, other experiences have taught me a far better philosophy. There have been a number of races I have entered, but not even been able to start, so I now appreciate that getting to the start line fit and healthy is a major achievement and worth appreciating, and something to savour as you wait on the start line.

How is it possible that you can buy a
motor-bike to do the Australian Safari,
for much less than many pay for a
 push-bike to do a triathlon?

Participating in the Australian Safari was a game changer. It was like doing an Ironman every day for 8-days, but worse - a real education. This was truly brutal - many times more physically and mentally challenging, and with a similar statistical risk as Russian Roulette. Also racing that year was a lean AFL legend Tony "Plugger" Lockett. He said he was far fitter, and trained harder for this event, than at any time in his AFL career, and even he said it was the most challenging thing he had ever done. 

Racing through the bush and desert, at stupid speeds, often doing over 140 kph, from dawn until after dark, inevitably having a few high speed crashes along he way. At times it felt like I was merely hanging on to the bike waiting to die, yet being so extremely fatigued, apathetic to the potential consequences. How any of them manage to survive the Dakar is beyond comprehension. Now, before an Ironman I do not feel nervous, or apprehensive at all. Perspective!

Race day dawn. The calm
before the storm

This time, being ready to go for the second time in five weeks, the water actually looked welcoming, the setting magnificent, and I was really looking forward to going on a nice, long, catered bike ride. Bring it on.

Predictions

On the eve of the race, at dinner with fellow participants, we all stated our predicted race times: My prediction, taking holiday, wet suit and Kona into consideration, was:

Swim:1'40"-1'45"; Bike: 5'59"; Run: 4'30". Finish: 12'29".

 The swim

I was prepared to be slow, but not that slow. It was a shock to see my swim split as I entered T1. 1 hour 46"! Shit - it did not feel THAT bad.

My IOAR mate Greg Mickle did an IM swim almost a full hour quicker than that two years ago - in 49 minutes! That is a monumental difference.

It must be pointed out though, that the typical Swiss precision was uncharacteristically lax here. With the lake being surrounded by hills it was the straightest swim I have ever done, which my Garmin confirms. There was always a church, mast, tower, or other landmark to sight and aim for. So, unusually for me, no wasted distance covered - yet, the Garmin distance was 4.3kms!

Need to include a disclaimer somewhere: both my swimming coaches are threatening legal action if their names are associated with me. I will thank them both publicly, when I improve that time by over 30 minutes in Kona. In all sincerity I do owe both a great deal of gratitude. I may not be fast, but I am so much better than I used to be. Without them, I could very well have drowned. I enjoy swimming now, and it is much easier.

Enjoying the scenery

To be fair, it was a slow swim for everyone. Even many of the professionals were in the water for over an hour. I also met a bloke who had done Busselton in 1'06"; his time 1'25".

 The bike leg

Two very nice laps, through pretty Swiss villages and hamlets and past celebrity homes, such as Tina Turner's who had Oprah staying there for a visit. A few decent hills, but nothing like the monster climbs of Nice. The highlight was Heartbreak Hill at the end of each lap. Not too long, but quite steep, with enthusiastic Alpe d'Huez type crowds lining the road.

It was on Heartbreak Hill almost at the end of the ride, where it could have all ended in tears. Inspired by the exploits of Peter Sagan in the Tour de France, I remembered that I could do wheelies as good as him (the older I get the better I was). What I forgot? That was around 35 years ago. Regardless, inspired by Sagan and the crowd, near the top, up the front wheel came. Brilliant. I can still do th  . . .  shit! A gust of wind caught the deep dish front wheel (thanks for the loan Matt) and turned me sideways. The crowd, Deccy's wheel, and I, escaped unscathed, but I won't be doing that again.

A highlight was Heartbreak
Hill and the crowd

Elsewhere there were traditional Swiss bands lining the route, and a good vibe all the way around, on very smooth, safe roads. All very nice.

Except it was hot, and humid. On the second lap my Garmin recorded over 42C. I have done a couple of 40C Ironmen, and 43C in the Cape Epic MTB race in South Africa, but nothing with this humidity. On the last climb it was debilitating. Officially it might have "only" been 35 in the shade. We weren't in the shade!

Nevertheless, the only real difficulty was a climb that seemed to last forever on the second lap - running parallel to a railway track. Now, that does your head in. How can a hill be so steep when you can see a train track running parallel alongside? Perhaps the wind, heat, humidity and lack of fitness had something to do with it.

Regardless, with punctuality Herr Rolex himself would be proud, I completed the bike time, as predicted, in precisely 5'59".

This was slower than my time on the much more challenging IM Nice ride 5 weeks earlier, but considering the fact that my bike stayed in its box for 3 weeks, whilst we toured around Europe, this was OK.

A noteworthy debutant at IM Zurich was one of the world’s very best cyclists, Emma Pooley. Emma is a regular in Perth during our summer months, participating weekly in local races and time trials, and doing a lot of the better group rides around Perth.

She is one of the world’s best time-trial riders, particularly on hillier circuits, winning the World Championship on the testing hilly Geelong circuit a couple of years ago, and has won many stage races and some of the top one day international classics in Europe, some in recent months. And, what will impress some, she has kept Matt Illingworth honest on 200km+ rides into the Perth hills.

It turns out she can also swim, and knock out a marathon well under 3 hours. In a recent ultra distance triathlon in Switzerland, she was first female pro, and 5th overall! Yet, despite her undisputed class, feeling she was in form and had ridden well, she was beaten by several minutes on the bike leg. Raised eyebrows anyone? Overall she finished 5th Female Pro.

The run

The professionals did it tough. For them it was hot and humid for the whole race. I was seriously concerned about the heat and humidity at the start of the run. It was a real struggle, so was conservative with pace. I managed to run the distance, but walked through a few of the aid stations to make sure I was taking on as much fluid and nutrition as my stomach could tolerate.

Scenery not looking
quite so good now

Luckily for me the heat-wave broke at the end of my second lap, and I finished in heavy rain, which was quite nice after such a hot day, and managed to get to the end on schedule without any real dramas.

I did really like the swim and bike leg, but the run? It wasn't bad, with a stretch along the lakeside, but it wasn't the most scenic I have ever done, and a bit convoluted in parts - or is it just that I have been spoilt by Busselton and Nice. It was 4 x 10.5 km laps which seems to be quite common now.

And the time, again, with Swiss precision, bang on – 4'30"!

So, which was the best?

There were some absolutely great things about the Swiss IM, and special aspects that were unique, but when the athlete's accommodation is quite dispersed, and separate from the IM "village" an event inevitably loses some of the "vibe”. A consequence is that competitors often don't go back to watch the slower athletes come in, which for me, is the magic of IM.

Look at Taupo, or Nice, where the accommodation is concentrated around the event's focal point. At those races, spectators, and athletes who have finished earlier, come back to the finish until the very end. The atmosphere is special, especially as the last finishers attempt to beat the deadline.

I always try to get to the finish for the final hours, but this time did not, so am unable to comment on what the Swiss late night finish line experience was like. Why? After a long day, the hotel, like most of the accommodation, was too far away. And even the Swiss don’t run trains every 5 minutes between 11 and 12 on a Sunday night.

Both races were enjoyable, and I am glad I had the opportunity to do them both. Of the two I preferred the French race: a spectacular bike ride, compact event, really special setting for the pasta party and awards ceremony, great vibe at the finish and such a good holiday location; but the Swiss race is also a great event, very popular, and a fantastic experience.

BTW, my finish time in Zurich: 12'29"!

Just need to be an hour or two quicker in 11 weeks.

I did at least have one impressive statistic from Zurich, which was revealed when I downloaded my computers at home. Maximum speed on the bike: 94.4kph!