Challenge Dubai – 27.02.15

Considerations
Rather big and promising, the Triple Crown Series got announced by Challenge Family, which should attract mainly the PROs with substantial prize money to their three middle distance races in Dubai (February 27) , Oman (August 7) and Bahrain (December 11). The winner of the all three races receives $1Mio; de facto no series per se!

Anyway, start was just now in Dubai:

As (European) Age Group Athlete you consider a participation in this competition probably more en detail since it is for most very early in the year and Dubai, due to the ex-pats and the financing by international corporations, a less-affordable patch (let alone logistical challenges). If the AGies, who are actually financing the sport, are going to benefit from the Series as well? There has been over and above not yet been revealed any single word!

For me personally the first mentioned point was per se not an obstacle, since I am of the opinion that you can have a different seasonal cycle. Who says that the triathlon year goes “only” from May to October, with the famous “November-Off-Season”? Because, it has always been the case like that?
In addition, the GCC Region and in particular the capital of the United Arabic Emirates (U.A.E) is for me on past professional reasons a well-known and much-visited terrain and the journey there aroused a slight “coming home” feeling and positive associations. So, for example, I have been lucky to have a “home stay” with a former work colleague; although we met at our both time in Chicago. That saved me from booking one of those exorbitant expensive hotels; even the Event-Partner Hotel glossed with high prices.

The week-long competition / What I expected
I headed off on Monday evening, with 6h flight time (+4h GMT) and +25C temperature difference to the Arabic Gulf. Unfortunately, I slightly hurt myself at the adductors only in the afternoon during warm-up for a last run unit. By online consultation with my doctor I could get the whole thing with Finalgon ointment and compression bandage somewhat under control. Now, the head was part of the game: “All will be fine!” After all, I was in really good shape over the past few weeks: In swimming, the coin dropped and the running trend over the last 3 years can be somewhat compared to a very lucrative share J I was just up for something really great, wanted to retrieve THIS form and ideally start the season of last year AK35 with a podium.

The race…
… was quickly over… Everything happens for a reason: Somehow there were too many indications telling me, I should not finish or even start. One thereof: a miraculous puncture in my tire overnight, bevor the race. The local mechanics borrowed me one which got also flat after 20k. After waiting 12′ for the mechanics, I decided not to continue though! Actually, it was a good decision as I got even another (the 3rd!) flat, when cruising back into transition. By the way, the first DNF in my career!
Overall, we had rough conditions; congrats to all finishers. Strong wind and waves made ​​the orientation in the water not easy (I swam immediately to the wrong buoy). On the bike I then lost after 5km my helmet visor and had to fight from the beginning with sand in the eyes.
Resume
“Measure your success by what you gave up for it to gain (D. Lama). For me success alone is already that I worked it out to start.
I had so many great and successful races over the past 2 years since working with my coach that it was time to face and deal with a negative experience. And you know what? I am feeling really great! Decisions done and good! And I am having such a great time here.

Finally, also a word about human rights in the GCC-Region. In a recent German press article one could read:  ”  No infringement noticed.. ” ? This sentence without mind had already been given by someone as part of the Soccer-World Cup and how the workers of the Handball World Championship (both Qatar) have to live has been recently researched by German TV (ZDF). However, for the individual sports and athletes a great promotion and I hope very much for our sport that the individual workers and volunteers of the Triple Crown Challenge Series a rewarded with appreciation!

Pictures