Ironman Kalmar

Kalmar: Third Place, a Kona Slot and a Swiss Record

Kalmar was the final opportunity to qualify for Hawaii. Three slots, more than eighty athletes on the start line. I was nervous for days, and even more so on race morning.

As a kid I set myself three milestones: the Olympic Games, Hawaii, and a family of my own. So qualifying meant everything to me. But since becoming a father eight months ago, my priorities have shifted. There are days when I would much rather spend time with Lou than train for an Ironman. Still, I am not someone who gives up easily.

Standing on the pier in Kalmar, looking at that field, I knew exactly what was coming.

Swim: patience pays

I am a strong swimmer, but I never take the swim for granted. I prepare it in detail before every race, because one mistake at the first buoy can put you back in twentieth place, and in triathlon that is a huge loss.

When the cannon went off, I sprinted hard and found a perfect position. Today was about saving energy, so I let the athlete next to me take the lead and settled straight into his feet. As expected, Jonas Schomburg went to the front and the pace was fast, but with wetsuits everyone swims fast. We took turns pulling, and Sven Thalmann led the longest stretch to the exit.

I came out of the water in 44:59, right with the front group, and my legs felt fresh. I saw Schombi sprinting to the bike the way he always does, and this time I could follow easily. Quick transition, socks and all, and I was out on the road.

Bike: 180 km of wind

Schombi charged ahead and I was ready to push hard behind him. But there was no attack from him, and I even had to take over the lead. He said something about his cockpit that I could not make out, because I was busy keeping control of my own bars in the crosswind.

Leading the bike was never the plan, and neither was 380 watts. But my legs felt relaxed and the power did not hurt. I also knew it was not something I could hold for four hours.

Then came the Ölandsbron. Full gas, wind hitting hard from the side. I had to come out of the aero bars again because the bike was shaking. I used the wind like I was windsurfing and suddenly I was flying, around 50 km/h with a crosswind. I loved every second of it.

But my focus stayed behind me, on the chasers. I do not need to lead a bike race. I was there for a Hawaii slot.

When the chase group took over, the work started. Wind from every direction made it brutal. I made myself as small as possible and only drank in short windows so I could get straight back into position. By kilometre 50 I was almost at my limit and could not understand how the others were riding so fast with so far still to go.

I was still with the lead group, but my numbers were way above what Ben and I had discussed. The plan was 300 watts, 305 maximum. I was at 330. So as soon as we had a tailwind, I let them go and rode my own race at 305 to 310. It was going to be a long day and I wanted to finish strong.

For a while I rode alone, drinking my carbs regularly, and my legs kept getting stronger. I think the fuel was finally reaching my muscles again after burning through it too fast earlier. Around kilometre 100 I suddenly saw the lead group ahead. I did not even sit in. I rode straight past them like it was nothing. The bike was flying and I was not hurting.

Then the bill arrived. I had drunk too much too early and did not have enough carbs left for the last 10 km. I cannot take gels, so this was going to be survival mode to T2. My power dropped, I could not hold the group, and one other athlete fell off with me, which was at least some comfort. I counted the kilometres down: eight, seven, six, five. My eyes were closing and my head was spinning. I rode straight into a fuel hole.

Bike split: 4:02:23.

Run: back from the dead

Getting off the bike and wobbling through transition was hard. I could not imagine running a marathon in that state. But it did not matter, I had to finish this race.

On went the vest with 2 litres and 320 g of carbs, a bottle of water to drink and cool down, and of course my bucket hat. I started slow and immediately sucked in carbs, non stop for the first kilometre or two. And then my legs came back. The power returned and I could finally run my pace. I had forgotten my watch, so I had no idea how fast I was going, but it felt quick.

At that point I had no slot. I was sitting just behind third, exactly like in Frankfurt. There was no way I was going through that again.

I closed on Daniel Bækkegård and felt strong, so I lifted the pace and went past him. Yes, I am going to Hawaii. I never looked back, only forward. Robert Kallin was ahead of me and I was gaining. Matthew Marquardt was slowing too. Only Schomburg was out of sight, and Gregory Barnaby was running too fast to catch.

I worked my way forward, first past Marquardt, then past Kallin, and moved into third. A podium and a qualification. But there were still 15 km to go and a lot can happen in 15 km.

I settled in, took nutrition every five minutes and ran a controlled pace, saving myself for the last 10 km, which are always the worst. And that is exactly where Barnaby started to lose time. His form was falling apart.

At kilometre 30 I dumped the vest and grabbed a 500 ml flask with more carbs at the last special needs station. Running without the pack felt like being set free. A few kilometres later I went past Barnaby and I was still flying.

But that flask only had enough in it to get me to kilometre 38, so I needed to start picking up cola. Unfortunately the aid stations were packed with age groupers and I only managed to grab cola once in four attempts. In the final two kilometres I felt the power fade, and then I heard Marquardt breathing behind me.

I knew he finishes strong. I did not expect him to close a 50 second gap in barely one kilometre. But my head was only on the finish line. I was on the edge of cramping and did not want to overcook it. And let us be honest: a podium and a Hawaii slot is huge for me. So I focused on myself, let him go, and kept my mind on my legs.

One last shock: a ramp one kilometre from the finish was full of age groupers, so I had to take the stairs instead. Instant cramps through both legs. Luckily I was not completely on the limit and could control it, but that last kilometre was hard.

The finish

Then came the finish chute, and the best crowd in the world. Kalmar's spectators are something else entirely.

Across the line, a handshake with Marquardt, and straight to the ground. Dead.

I had no idea what I had just run. Someone told me sub 7:30 and I was stunned. 7:28:54, with a 2:38:43 marathon. Almost seven minutes faster than Ruedi Wild's Swiss record. I never expected that, not even in my dreams.

Third place. A Kona slot. And the best race of my career.

Now I just needed to tell Eva and Lou.

Results: 3rd place, 7:28:54 Swim 44:59 | Bike 4:02:23 | Run 2:38:43