Weekly News Number 21

Autumn on the Other Side of the World

It’s the final week of autumn on the other side of the world. The nights are getting colder, while the days are still warm enough to ride in shorts and a vest. Of course, everything is relative. After months of 30°C temperatures, 10°C suddenly feels pretty cold.

The houses here are built to keep the heat outside. As a result, they also tend to stay cool during winter. You notice it most in the morning when you wake up and ask yourself whether you really want to get out of bed yet.

Training has been fairly uneventful lately. I handled the first more intensive swim sessions well. On the bike, I’m currently riding almost exclusively on my gravel bike. Apart from a few short sprints, everything is done in the aerobic zone.

Running looks very similar. Lots of easy mileage, with a few strides at the end of each session. I usually do my longer runs in the national park, where I can enjoy trails and some elevation gain. The big bonus is the ocean view. The water is becoming clearer and bluer, and the light keeps getting more beautiful. From around three o’clock in the afternoon, everything takes on that golden glow. I absolutely love it.

When the Chain Stops Cooperating

Of course, there were a few stories worth telling this week as well.

The first one happened on Monday during an easy ride. My gravel bike kept dropping the chain. Every time I shifted into the three smallest gears on the rear cassette, the chain would jump off the front chainring.

Fortunately, I could still get home using the easier gears. It meant riding at a slightly higher cadence than planned, but at least I made it back.

Since I couldn’t figure out the problem myself, I took the bike to the local bike shop. The diagnosis was quick and clear: the chain was about 98% worn out, and the chainrings had also seen better days.

That means the gravel bike will be getting a new chain and new chainrings over the next few days. In the meantime, the mechanics improvised by removing a tooth from the front chainring so I could keep riding.

Not exactly a long-term solution, but definitely a good solution for this week.

Back with the Swim Squad

On Friday, I joined the swim squad again for the first time in quite a while.

And I have to say: swimming in a group is worth every 4:40 a.m. alarm.

It was great to see everyone again and train together. The session was surprisingly relaxed, which made it the perfect way to ease back into squad training.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll probably be swimming with the group more often. Our 50-metre pool is about to undergo renovations and will be closed for around two months.

That’s a shame because I firmly believe that spending plenty of time in a 50-metre pool is incredibly valuable for triathletes. At the same time, we’re fortunate enough to have a 25-metre pool in the same facility.

Compared to Wittenbach, that still feels like pure luxury. The real challenge will simply be finding enough space and lane time to swim. There are countless groups using the pool.

A Sunday Afternoon in Frauenfeld

Sunday brought a special highlight.

A triathlon took place in Frauenfeld, back in my home region of Switzerland. One of the athletes I coach was racing, so I opened the live tracker and started scrolling through the start list.

I quickly realised how many people I knew.

Suddenly, my Sunday afternoon was planned: constantly refreshing the tracker and following everyone’s races.

To everyone who raced: congratulations on your performances.

It also reminded me once again that I apparently only have fast triathletes as friends. What exactly that says about me, I’m still not sure.

Next weekend already brings another highlight: Ironman 70.3 Rapperswil.

That was my very first half-distance triathlon. I honestly can’t remember exactly which year it was, but the memories are still there.

To everyone standing on the start line: have fun, enjoy the day, and soak up the atmosphere.

Consistency Beats Hero Sessions

That’s it from me for another week.

I can’t promise that the coming week will be particularly spectacular. What I am looking forward to, though, is another week of consistent training and working with my athletes.

Especially now, as many athletes are approaching the biggest races of their season, I’m reminded once again that success rarely comes from a single heroic training session.

What matters far more is what happens day after day.

Train consistently. Stay healthy. Trust the process.

That’s what prepares you for race day.

And while many of you are heading into summer, I’ll be heading into cold early mornings on my scooter ride to the pool.

The good thing about that? You’re definitely awake by the time you arrive.

Cyrill