1/8 Amersfoort – divisieteam

While everyone was getting ready for Formula 1 competition in Zandvoort, the division team was getting ready for the second and final division game of the season. An eighth triathlon in Amersfoort, 750m zwemmen, 22km cycling and 5km running. Unfortunately, the third game in Arnhem has already been canceled due to the uncertainties about the event. Today's four participants are Jeroen Went, Martin, Pascal and Jeroen vd Valk. A number of participants participate in Almere a week later with the whole or half triathlon, so staying whole is more important than performing well.

Swimming in the Eem, a narrow canal with boats. Just after the start there is already a narrowing through the bridge where you swim under. Soon it will be busy. Swimming is a back and forth, because it is so narrow, halfway through the game you have to watch out for oncoming traffic. At the start we had to touch the line in the water, soon this line was gone because people stepped on it, causing the line to go far under the water. Just waiting for the beautiful intro music and then when the starting gun sounds we can start. Position well right away, because after 50m there is already a narrowing, so pay attention in the crowds of the start. After the narrowing of the bridge, quickly take up position and continue swimming to the turning point, back to the beginning of the transition zone where you can get out of the water. There are three ladders where you can go up, you may also have to fight for your spot to climb up to the transition zone. After the swim the men were in the midfield / to be found in the back.

Luckily we were in the back of the transition zone, so we only have to walk a short distance by bike before we could start cycling. After a small run-up for the bike course, can we cycle two rounds. First along the Eem on a narrow cycle path. Overtaking is difficult here and you have to watch out so that you don't stay. After that it's hard on the brakes for a narrow 90 degree bend over a bridge, here it is good to pay attention, if you don't brake in time, you drive into the ditch. Then you have to pay attention because a part of the road surface is in very bad shape, we had to stay in the middle there. After that, we went onto the highway where you could drive on and then finish the round through the small industrial area and a residential area. When cycling, a number of places could be won, so that we climbed a number of places in the ranking as a team. On to the walk.

The beautiful running course goes through residential area, a small park, along the Eem and the center of Amersfoort. The walking is two rounds of 2.5 km where you also walk along the transition zone. It's always fun to watch the other participants from different start times get ready or possibly switch to another start series after the swim as you walk by. Running is always a strong part of our team and here the necessary participants were overtaken.

Finally finished 17th as a team. For the standings, this means that with our previous place in 16th, ending the season as 18th team. With this we stand and our first acquaintance season in the second division has been completed. For next year we have to train harder if we want to compete at the top. At least we had a good time and are happy that we were allowed to participate in these competitions again after a year of sitting still! See you next season.