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:-(