In loving Memory of Fran Crippen (April 17, 1984 – October 23, 2010)

It's been a week that Fran has left this world to swim at a better place. He will be dearly missed and leaves a huge hole in the lives of those who loved him and in the swim world.

A few weeks ago, I've been chatting with my swim pal about going to the Sea of Galilee to swim a 3.5K fun swim. Unfortunately we didn't manage to go due to my friend being ill. Kineret Swim

I told him, that he owes me big time for "standing me up" and I teased him, telling him, that next year we'll do the 21K (13 Miles) across the Lake. He started laughing and said, "no way you'll ever manage that". Well he should know me better by now.

So the bet is on. I will take a coach and hope that very soon I'll be able to join the TI Group in Tel Aviv. This is by far the biggest challenge I am facing so far and most certainly crazier than running a marathon (which will be in 5 months and 1 week.. woohoo)

OW Swimming is not only physically very challenging but mentally just as much, especially when it comes to "marathon swimming". I did some OW 10 years ago in Switzerland and it was pretty crazy with all the other swimmers trying not to get punched and kicked too much.

This swim will be very different. Yes it is a tempo swim too BUT due to the distance there won't be too many people swimming. (lets hope.. the event will even take place... if not.. we'll do a 10K in Tel Aviv).

I am looking for a Charity to swim for at the moment. I am sure, the Crippen Family will put up a fond or I will be swimming to collect money for Swim 4 Humanity for which Fran was a spokesperson. (I have another 11 months, so I'll have some more time to find the right charity to swim for in memory of Fran)

Tel Aviv Marathon 10K

Can't believe it but I'm finally running again. Going to run the 10K in 7 weeks, May 14, 2010!!! Two weeks ago, I went to buy new running shoes and trust me, that was anything but easy. My feet are still pretty much in pain when in running shoes. So I decided to buy Adidas size 7 (yup... half a size bigger than usual.. and Adidas is pretty wide, so my Halux doesn't hurt. Really love those shoes.

Since I got the shoes, I am running almost daily and I also walk to and from work which is another 10K every day. Going to the pool when ever I can too and after trying out the pool at the Andromeda Hill, I have to say... I soooo love Salt Water Pools so much more than Chlorine Water.. lol... 

Right now I am looking for a gym to get my weight training done too. Just to make this absolutely clear... I HATE the gym LOL... I checked out Holmes Place, the good thing, it's in the same building as my office, so I can go before or right after work but the bad thing, it's super expensive. The gym at my pool is not that pro and it's not really close to my place but the pool is better and it's just half the price of Holmes Place. Pretty tricky... ;)

Well first thing I have to do now, is fixing my bicycle, will make loads of things easier and I get my "TRI" together... hahah

Oh and I got an amazing run buddy. Super happy about that and highly motivated.

Alright, first thing's first... getting fit for the run... figuring out about the gym and get my bike fixed... and then??? Well there is an open water swim and of May 1.5K or 5K... maybe I get fit enough to race... and who knows.. beginning of June, Woman's Tri... who knows.... 

(to be continued...)

Meeting Michael Phelps in Berlin 2009

I still can't quite believe, that I am in Berlin... and.. that I actually met Michael Phelps...

Thursday, Ellen and I went to check out the Swimming Hall and thank G-D we did. We found out, that MP is going to be at the Alexa Friday morning.... so of course.. we decided, that is the place, we have to be.

Friday morning, still cold and well... looking as if it starts raining in a few... I took my cam and my t-shirt and headed towards Intersport at the Alexa. I was pretty surprised, to find so many 'older' people standing in line for an autograph. (made me feel slightly better... I really thought.. I'll be the oldest by far).

If you ask me now... what happened when MP entered.. I wouldn't know... I just can't remember.... too emotional.. all I do remember, it was pretty crazy.... and people pushed ... (hmm hey.. just because you push, doesn't mean, it goes faster!!!)

Finally, when my turn came... holding Herman the second... I realized... that with all the pushing and crazy people, I lost the card I wanted to give him. I couldn't go back to search, so I just gave my shirt to sign.. and put Herman II on the table... (is it ok, to say, it's a good thing, MP doesn't swim as slow as he signs... lol)... Not that I minded, standing there.. looking at him... ahhhh.. after he signed the shirt... I told him, that Herman was a present for him... he looked at Herman.. laughed.. and thanked me.... and tata I suddenly found my voice.. so I also wished him good luck for the weekend.... and he smiled and thanked again. (ok.. I have a crush now.. rofls.. who cares... the cutest smile ever!!!)

So, after heading towards the exit... I started making the whole team of Intersport crazy, with my card.... (yes.. I can be a nudnik)... and finally I saw it on the floor... and one of the girls took it and put it together with Herman. (now, don't ask, what I wrote.. that is private... lol)

You can of course imagine, that I went to bed with a big smile that night. ;)

Today was finally racing day and I headed to the Hall pretty early... Seeing Bob Bowman was so surreal and then seeing MP standing next to him.... gosh.. just amazing...

I am still lost for words.. you have to forgive me... but.. I mad tons of pics... and had a great time.. even thought MP didn´t do too good.. but I loved watching him swim....

Peter Marshall did very well and so did Jessica Hardy and Whitney Myers.... congrats guys!!! We even saw a few WR... and yes... Paul Biedermann... new WR 400 Free... amazing race.. sorry to see Dominik Meichtry finishing 6.... he did so well the first 250... ah well .. tomorrow is a new day.. new chance... and who knows whats next ...

Pics... will follow... tomorrow.. I promise...

Love you all... having the time of my life!!!!

woooooooohooooooooooo Michael Phelps you ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love ya... soooooo much, thanks for the amazing and fun race...