On Sunday 8th dad got up early and walked down to the Eiffel Tower to set up his gear in transition for the race. Then he walked up along the Seine for 1.5kms with the rest of the Wave 1 competitors to the Alexander III Royal Bridge for the start. (We didn’t get there for the swim but we were there for the bike leg and the run leg and at the finish line). It was an Olympic distance race.
He said he had a slow swim because he was busy looking around at all the sights including the Eiffel Tower getting closer and closer. Also he wasn’t too keen to get a mouthful of water because the light rain in the last day or so might have made the water less than healthy. He swam under several bridges all lined with cheering spectators. He exited the swim onto a platform next to the Eiffel Tower and ran to transition around the edge of the Tower.
He jumped on his bike and the 40km bike ride took him through the little café areas of Paris and along the Seine, through road tunnels and into a massive park where they did a few zig zags within the park and then back along the roads along the edge of the Seine, across a couple of bridges and then back under the Eiffel Tower. He had a great ride and interestingly he said that drafting was allowed which made for some hairy moments and very aggressive riding from all the “wanna be” Tour de France riders. He jumped on a couple of groups going at about 50kmh through the park at times. Very fast, lots of crashes especially with the road a little damp and lots of sharp turns in the park.
He quickly transitioned and into the 10km run which went through narrow café streets where there was a big morning crowd out for coffee and breakfast - cheering the competitors on all along. At one stage he ran about a kilometre down a little narrow island that ran down the centre of the Seine between two bridges. He said that was cool. He ran around the Trocadero and Palais de Chaillot and then across a couple of bridges and up the finishing chute at the Palais de Chaillot opposite the Eiffel Tower. He was pretty pleased with his finisher medal. He went pretty well given he has done little training in the last 2 months. He set an Olympic distance PB which made him happy.
He said it was great fun. A fabulous experience he said.
After we went home for a rest. Then went out to the Louvre Carousel for dinner (roast ham, chicken, vegies etc) and the into St Germain for crepes for desert. Mum and dad had a Grand Marnier Crepe which the waiter set on fire before they ate it.
We then watched Gladiator on the ipad before we went to bed.
Another big couple of days.
Elodie, Holly and Erin xxx
didn't your Dad do well, except for the looking around when swimming !! very funny, but to achieve an Olympic PB is pretty cool - good for you, Guy!! - another medal to put on the wall...what a great day you had, and the evening meal sounded just wonderful - strolling through Paris..main course here....desert there......Grand Marnier - that sounds wonderful....then another stroll through romantic Paris, and a film even! You girls...will life ever be the same for you!!!! xxxx
ReplyDelete