Swimmers

I just got this picture.




These two guys are following me and my sports since we met in Louisville. It's nice to see being a motivation for the young future athletes!
That makes me feeling a bit older but also a bit proud and keeps me motivated for what I do...

I hope I'll be a kind of role model for younger athletes and I'm able to give something back by that way I got out of the sport.

Thanks to Kimberly for the picture.

Out of IMAZ

Hello,

Right after the decision not racing the IRONMAN World Champs cause of an ear infection I decided to go to Tempe. It was tough to get back in shape for an early Kona 2010 slot. However, I packed my stuff and went out for a three week training camp. I got some good training in. Worked a bit on my swim to hold the gap after the opener as small as possible and worked for a fast marathon. The Tempe Lake running course is known as fast and I wanted to improve my best IRONMAN-

marathon split (2:43h).

The last sessions on the race course were nice and I looked relaxed forward for race day. The home stay I' ve is GREAT. Everything seemed to be ready for a nice race before x- mas vacation.

BUT then I was out on the bike for some yummy ice cream and was rolling over a parking lot and a really fast driving car hit me. I was flying through the air, touching the ground and I knew the race is over. I was looking down my leg and saw just blood, muscles and my bones. It was like a view in a slaughter house.

I haven't seen my bike up to now cause it was flying away. I only realized someone said the bike is 'more than broken'.

Every time something like this happens it shows how fast things changing, being over and the perspective you're looking on things changes.

Everybody tells that and we cannot tell that frequently enough: Even if you just cruising on your bike for fun through the city PLEASE wear an helmet! Without wearing it I couldn't drop these lines now!

The doctors said I'm in luck nothing more happened.

At this time after two surgeries I can't say anything more about what happen next. I have much pain, I'm on crutches and have bruises everyhwere. The effusions on my hands make it even tough to grip a glass of water or moving with the crutches. I appreciate every email and wishes I got.

I'm happy to have good friends here in the states and in Germany. They support me in every way .

However, if there's one thing for sure: I'll be back training and racing as soon as I can...

I'm out of the race but there're more than 2,200 other athletes out on the course this weekend. I wish all of you the best for the race! You did so much to get there. So make the best of it! Don't try to enjoy the race itself. Enjoy the time after! You deserve it!

Thanks to all the volunteers making this race possible. I would love to help out on this weekend as a volunteer to give something back to the IRONMAN community. Maybe I find something but working on the ad stations will be impossible:-(

Need help:)

Is there anybody with some good advices how to improve my swimming???

Long run...

After a long run in the morning a 'yummy' breakfast. Please don't ask what you can see on the spoon:-)

Now it's time for a bike ride. A lot of sun and wind. At the end of the day I'll have done something for my tan and my legs.

I'm looking forward for a hot race in Arizona.

IRONMAN HAWAII

It's been a while ago I posted here.

I had to make the decision due to an ear infection not racing the IRONMAN world champs this Sat in Kona. I couldn't train the last weeks to get in proper shape for world champs. Furthermore, the doc said it's a healthy risk to race at the limit under these tough conditions on the beautiful pacific island. Health at first!

There was one question the whole time in my head:

What is more painful- Racing on the Queen- K or not racing?

Now I know the answer!

After racing since 2004 in Kona it's a hard time for me watching the race and not being part of the game.

I let my friends, family and sponsors know this at first. Thanks for all your kind words and motivating emails.

One of my sponsors slogan is: FAST FORWARD!

That's it!

I wish all you guys out there to race the greatest event on earth a painful day:) Remember:

You cannot enjoy the race. It's work! But the time after...

I'll keep on posting what's up until Kona 2010.

Water please

The Ironman Lousiville is nearly a month ago.

Nevertheless, I want to say 'Thank you' to the Louisville Water Company ( http://www.louisvilleky.gov/LWC/ ). The Louisville water Company served us athletes a long the whole race course and at the finishline with 125,000 cups of Pure Tap®.

What a great job!

Cheers:-)

IRONMAN WI

Going out of an IRONMAN is the hardest thing in a triathlete's life.

I made the decision on mile marker 18 last Sunday. I could have go through it but from the rational site it was the right way to quit. I wanted to make a new experience in doing two IM in two weeks but I felt in the race running to the end would have hurt my body too much.

However, I think it's possible to do it. Yes, you can see that on the results. Rynard even won the race just two weeks after the IM KY.

Thumbs up before the race

And the shot of the day. My prepared calves:

We had a really nice home stay and enjoyed the days in Madison.

The organisation of the race was perfect. I've never seen such a spectacular transition area at any race. You have to run out of the water than via an 'Helix' on the parking deck of the race hotel. You head inside of the hotel where the changing 'tent' is located in the ball rooms. After you've changed you have to run on the top of the parking deck and pick up your bike.

It's great for the spectators!

My bike

My last test ride this afternoon.

I just love that bike!!!!

Bryan Rhodes

If there's an experienced athlete and a great charakter you can ask about race result predictions. Than it's this guy: Bryan Rhodes alias Rhodsey ( http://www.rhodsey.com/ )

Ask an expert

Here's Ben's (marketing of K-SWISS) prediction for IM WI:

Welchy's prediction

The big question:





That's what Welchy thinks:

Ask the experts

After my first swim in the Monona Lake I asked Justin from AQUASPHERE who's going to win on Sunday...

Road trip

We're on a long road trip to Madison, WI to full fill my 'Double'. We left our long time stay in Louisville. Debbie and Frank are real friends and it was tough to leave them and Louisville. However, I'll be back:)

The road trip itself isn't comfortable but I tried everything to have a nice lunch:-)

It's really a new experience for me to race two IRONMAN in just two weeks. I do not know how it'll work but my aim is it to finish it doesn't matter what happen.

We enjoy Madison and looking forward for relaxing days until race morning.

Last bike ride

That's the end of my last bike ride in Louisville before IM Winsconsin. I really enjoyed to ride through the fields

Greets to Germany

Some words to my german followers...

VOLUNTEERS

Thanks to all the hard working volunteers out there at the course the office and anywhere at the place of event.



Allways remember:



Nothing would work without YOU!!!!

Uncut

I tried to analyse my result but felt in sleep... Take it easy:)

Crew

My Louisville support crew.

Thank you so much!

NBC

The NBC interview with Peter Henning and his crew. It was like everytime before funny and interesting

My race bike

Louisville LIVE

Watch us LIVE!
http://www.universalsports.com/mediaPlayer/media.dbml?id=366186&catid=-2&sid=13056&db_oem_id=23000

Luxury X

Isn't that luxury?!?! Three different sizes of Xterra speed suits makes it possible for me select even minutes before the start. Which one will fit the best on race day morning:)

Interview Welchy II

Question about the difference between a victory race day morning and a 'regular' race day morning

Interview Welchy I

Asking Welchy about race day...

After Swim

Thursday swim prepare

Running greets

Some words how I feel on the run a few days before the race

Running impression

One of my last easy runs before the race

Bike part II

First miles of the bike part...

Bike Part I

I think one of the most difficult to handle bike courses.

Some words about the first section of the course...

Hungry Britta

After a short swim in the Ohio and a photo shoot we went for breakfast.

I was really hungry but Britta ate all my bagels like crazy;)

Start IM Loo

Short swim on race course 5 days before race day

IM Loo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTkxGm0TbZc&feature=email

Serious???

Six days to race day and a bit of humor:-)

Practice swim interview

Today there was a practice swim at Cardinal Harbour. An interview with two beautiful women

The coffee after

Enjoying a coffee after a hard training session on the IM Louisville race course.

2 weeks to go

It's Sunday morning Aug. 16th. Only 14 days until race day.

Waking up with a fresh brewed cup of coffee from my friend Debbie. What a nice start in the day. Debbie provides me a great place to stay and train. The IM Loo will be her first full Ironman. She's really excited about it and I'm sure she'll make a great race.

My training day wasn't special. A run in the morning (it was quite hot at 8 o'clock) and a longer bike ride in the middle of the day it was more than hot).

When I got out of bike was just happy to get a ice cold coke zero and call it a day.

Interview

Thanks to Patrick McCrann for this video interview one day before Ironman Coeur d' Alene:
http://www.insideendurancetv.com/post/145328418/

Twitter

Follow me if you can:
http://twitter.com/maxilon

At Waggener hight school this Tues for q & a , autographs, and brief talk. Track workout @ 7:10‏

Larry from Ken Combs running store invited me for a track workout at Waggener hight school this Tues. Please come aoround and have fun with q & a , autographs, and some small talk @ 7:10‏.
http://www.kencombsrunningstore.com/track1.asp

See you tomorrow

Start

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