Sooo, we found a 6-hour ride from Amsterdam to Hamburg with 3 changes. First two train rides went smoothly and on time. The last and final leg was, guess what – canceled – and we had to wait for another train for an hour.

After a total of 8 hours, we were finally in Hamburg – which some say is the most gorgeous city in Germany.

First order of business: register ⬇️

Saturday Swim Out:
We decided to take advantage of the test swim out in the lake to get a feel of the cold water. It was the first time I donned a wetsuit for a cold swim and I was unprepared. The shock of cold water in a wetsuit made me disoriented in the first few meters. I had to lie on my back to calm myself and catch my breath and not swallow water.

Swam back to the start line and tried to muster enough courage to try again. The second try was better. A little bit confident, the plan was to relax the rest of the day.

Race Day:
The sun was out and the weather was predicted to be fine with no wind – totally different from last year’s wet race. Water temperature was at 20C, slightly warmer than previous day’s 19C.

Disorientation set in in the first 400m, i felt the wetsuit constricting my lungs, did a lot of floating and Hail Mary’s to calm myself.
Stopped at every buoy to rest (which were not a lot by the way) and targeted each succeeding buoy to keep myself going.

The rescue guys in the paddle boats were constantly beside me, so much so I was thinking – are they going to pull me out soon? Am I the slowest swimmer?

Thankful for them though as I got to ask which direction the next buoys were and helped me calm down as I knew I’d be easily rescued if all else failed.

After swimming 4.2 kms (over the 3.8k because of zig zagging 😅) which felt like forever, from the Jungfernstieg jetty through the Binnenalster and the Außenalster lakes, I reached the swim finish line.

Time check 2:09 – I had 11 minutes before the swim cut off.

Went to transition and fixed all bike stuff – sunblock, helmet, shoes, bib number, chocolates as fuel. Grabbed the bike and headed to bike start. It was a beautiful bike course – passing thru the city, the port, the countryside with greens and nice houses.
Going back to the city was a breeze with the tailwind helping me go faster on the way back.

Passed the 90k marker with 15 mins to go before cutoff.

At 108km, I got lost and asked for directions. I was directed back to the start line, where I had a discussion with 2 different people who both didn’t understand what I was saying (I assumed because they cannot give me an answer) so I had to rack my bike and continue with the run.

I consider the run as my strongest discipline- yet I had a hard time.

The run course, like the bike course was a beauty – taking us to the heart of the city of Hamburg, along the world famous Alster Lake and passing through the Rathausmarkt lines with locals cheering loudly for everyone who passed serving as extra motivation.

I’m pretty sure I walked half of the course. Miraculously, after 4 loops, 6 hours and dead legs, I completed the 42k run course.

Perseverance. Endurance. Mental toughness. Counting your blessings, no matter how small. Trust the process – months of hard work will get you where you want to be. Pray.
Showing up and give your best on race day — whatever it brings.

Pray some more. Accept what you can’t control — the weather, bad luck — and remaining in control of what you can — your attitude and your ability to adapt to whatever race day throws at you. Anything is possible.

Read on to the last leg of our whirlwind trip > https://norhene.wordpress.com/2022/06/25/beautiful-brussels/

Missed the first part of our adventure? Check it out here > https://norhene.wordpress.com/2022/06/25/whirlwind-trip/