Right! We went to Zurich/Switzerland for a long overdue visit with Auntie Ulli!
Neil brought his tools so we could help Ulli take apart some furniture, and I brought my bike to do a little sprint triathlon (500m/20k/5k) on Saturday morning. We had a great time in Zurich! We especially loved the BBQ with ANnika and ThOrsteN, who not only threw their genes but also their names together, the result being an adorable little boy named Anton. Playing with him and his toys was definitely the highlight of Finn's and Lily's trip. I secretly think the food that night was the highlight of Neil's trip. :) D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S.
And aside from meeting with old friends from "back home", we also made new friends! It was a lot of fun doing the triathlon with Keri and Will from Ulli's church. You guys rocked the show! What great finishing times for your first triathlons! Maybe some day I will be as fast as you, Keri. :)
As for me, the Zurich triathlon was a learning experience. I learned that no matter how hot it has been, always ALWAYS bring a jacket. I couldn't believe how cold it was Saturday morning, and that icy rain certainly didn't help. None of us was equipped for that kind of weather, and now poor Lily has a major cold. I went out Saturday afternoon to buy them jeans and sweaters.
I also learned that it's not good to not eat enough before a race in the freezing rain. I had to get up so early that I didn't feel like eating at Ulli's, and I forgot my protein bar, so all I had was a carb bar an hour or so before the race. By the time we finally started our swim I was chilled to the bone, and struggled through the whole thing. My muscles just were not working right. I had hoped for a 12 min or so swim time, but when I hopped on my bike 18 (!) min had passed from the swim start.
I had actually looked forward to the bike ride. Thanks to a generous gift (from a Swiss bank account, he he) I now own a road bike. I had only ridden it maybe 4 times before the race, and am still not all that comfortable on it. I was happy the weather forecast didn't predict any rain. But of course it DID rain on Saturday (plenty), and the bike course wasn't all that great either. Four very narrow 180° turns that scared the dickens out of me, bumpy asphalt and last not least the Zurich buses were still going on the race course! What the heck? During the bike ride I was getting colder by the minute and could feel my body going in starvation mode. I had a sports drink in my bottle but didn't dare drink some while doing almost 30kph on slippery asphalt.
The second transition (bike to run) took me a while because my fingers were so cold and stiff that it took a few tries to get my bike shoes off and my running shoes on. It took me even longer to tie my shoe laces. I also drank something, but soon wished I hadn't because I had terrible stomach cramps the first 2k. Luckily the run was short! I couldn't wait for that finish line to come. And I was so happy to see Keri and Will waiting for me! :) I had secretely hoped to finish in under 1:20h, but all things considered I can be very happy with my 1:24:00 (38th place out of 60 in my age group). It took me a long time to warm up after the race, but a nice hot bath, strong coffee and a nap at Ulli's place did revive me in the end.
The official race pictures are not online yet, but here are some that Neil took:
The swim was odd. We had to get out of the water, cross an island and get back in the water to swim to shore.
Meanwhile on (not so dry) land:
Biking
Meanwhile under a big tree, the driest spot around:
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