BodenSee Maraton 01.06.19

Warm weather, flat water with occasional lazy small waves, beautiful green countryside with white Alpine peaks on far horizon. And great family athmosphere in the Kanu-Club Singen in Inznang.
It was my first impression after my arrival to participate on Bodensee Kanu Marathon for the first time.

After the starting gunshot the surface begin to boil under the padlle hits. After the initial quick start the pace moderates slightly, but I keep the speed about 11,5 – 12 km/h. Paddling in a group with other guys I reach the Bruckgraben canal separating the Reichenau Island from mainland after 10 km.

There is important junktion here – half marathon paddlers have to turn right and return back to start=finish line, marathon paddlers have to turn only slightly right and continue toward the Stein am Rhein, Switzerland. Easy to understand on map, difficult to realize it during the race on the water.
I lead the group when passing the imaginary junktion and try take a correct way. But I am not sure, so I slow down the pace and look around me. Somebody behind me (maybe on the shore) calls „turn right“. I believe this command is forwarded to me. Later I find out it was not true....

I catch the group of paddlers again and continue the fight. After some time I see that it is something wrong, the skyline before me is too similar to the place of starting point. The competing guys confirm me that they go half maraton. I lay my paddle and consider quickly, what to do. To continue to the finish line, expecting disqualification, or to return back and join to correct marathon route?

I return back. It takes some time to explain to my body that the race will be a little bit longer. I paddle alone toward the Stein am Rhein. About 1 km before the turning spot I see the last marathon paddler in fron of me. My heart start to race. I catch him directly on the turning spot. I continue back and see next fluttering paddlers silhouettes far in front of me. I catch one, the second and next....

I look to my sport-tester, I cross the 42nd km but the finish line is still far away. Passing a couple of paddlers, Stephanie Seelhof on Fenn surfski joins me. Partly next to me, partly behind me, we are approaching to the finish line. The pace increases, we squeeze the last energy supplies.

Finish line, last stroke, last movement. Then quiet and calm. The race is over. The life is nice.

Sportester stops on 47,5. km, the final time 4:33 h. Approximate speed 10,4 km/h. Not so bad, considering my course of the race.

Many thanks Stellar for support and for the perfect seakayak S18R.