First-ever Ironman – 70.3 Kraichgau. Time to get serious.

We traveled as a trio, but only two of us could actually start. One of my friends had picked up a stress fracture in his foot—bad luck, race over before it even began. So, he was left to spectate while we got ready to dive into the madness.

The swim? Let’s just say… it was an experience. I had borrowed my injured friend’s wetsuit, which—unsurprisingly—wasn’t exactly the perfect fit for me. But no time to worry about that. The race was starting, and I figured it would work itself out. Spoiler: it didn’t.

A few strokes in, and I realized I couldn’t breathe properly. Panic rising, I looked up—and by pure luck, my friend was right next to me. Perfect! I shouted at him mid-swim, begging him to pull the back of my wetsuit up so I could actually get some air. Crisis averted.

Well, sort of. While I could breathe again, the wetsuit was now acting like a parachute, dragging me through the water at a less-than-optimal speed. Not that it really mattered—my freestyle technique was non-existent anyway. My swim time was toast, but hey, at least I didn’t drown.

Then came the bike leg. Finally, freedom. The pent-up frustration from that chaotic swim turned into raw energy. I pushed hard, soaking in the beautiful course, feeling the rush of speed. And then—there he was. Jan Frodeno. Effortless, powerful, already on his way back while I was still grinding my way forward. Legend.

The ride was amazing, but then the cramps hit. Quads locking up, legs screaming. Didn’t matter. Keep going.

And then—the run. Absolute magic. The Kraichgau region isn’t called “the land of a thousand hills” for nothing, and my legs felt every single one of them. But the energy of the crowd, the atmosphere, the support—it was unreal.

Perfect race conditions, incredible aid stations, and the pure joy of crossing that finish line. And afterward? Lasagna, Guinness, and a full-blown local festival right in front of our hotel.

We grabbed some wine, celebrated properly, and toasted to an unforgettable day.

Thanks, Tommy. Thanks, Robert. That was one hell of an event.