After
a fantastic season’s end in Ironman Hawaii 2008, where I got on the podium
again, I first took a well deserved rest. Not too long (3 weeks only) but
enough to recharge my batteries. Since I already qualified for this year’s
race in Hawaii, I do not have to participate in another Ironman, so I am
able to prepare myself more calmly ( this is of course all very relative)and
enjoy the training. Through my training program of the last 2 years, I have
gotten much stronger, but I also lost some of my original speed and
explosiveness. It was still in my body, but I could not use it any longer.
Hence, these days, I regularly train with some young lads, preparing for
Olympic Distance racing. That makes it mentally easier to go deep, because
these guys always want to challenge me. In the last few years both the
swimming and running training schemes have changed a bit. These days the OD
athletes train much more on speed and intensity, mixed with power and
hypoxic training … Its hard to believe, but somehow it does not really
bother me and I can easily perform with the others.
My swimming had already improved before last year’s race in Hawaii and that
obviously helped me on my way to the podium. The nice thing for me is that
even today I am still slowly getting better (even at my age…). As a result I
can now put down swim times that are better than ever before.
I have not specifically trained for the bike leg yet, but I have been
working on my time trial position ( not for Ironman California, but rather
for Roth and Hawaii).
Aside from my training, everything goes quite well too. I enjoy the life
with my wife and my two little kids, and I also had some quality time with
my family and friends.
With regard to my sponsors, I stopped with Nike and started with K-Swiss. I
also switched over from a Cervelo P3 to a Ridley Dean and started using
Suunto and SportsControl. My longtime sponsors NorthgateArinso, BLOSO and
Oil service continue to allow me to work professionally.
Conclusion: after a carefree winter, I feel good, I am not suffering from
any injuries and I am ready for my first race of the season. I have looked
at the list of PRO’s participating . It’s going to be a tough race and the
speed will be forced up with all these OD athletes, but nevertheless, I
think I will do well. I’ll keep you all posted!
Rutger,
April 2 2009
Race Calendar 2009
Pretty soon, I will start my 2009 race season. This is
how my race calendar looks like. As always, it might be up for changes
during the season.
Date
Place
Race
April 4
Oceanside
USA
Ironman California 70.3
May 2
Lake San Antonio
USA
Wildflower Triathlon
half Ironman distance
May 17
Leuven
Belgium
half Ironman distance
June 20
Brugge
Belgium
Olympic distance triathlon
July 12
Roth
Germany
Quelle Challenge Roth
Ironman distance
August 2
Antwerp
Belgium
Marc Herremans Classic
Ironman Antwerp 70.3
September 2
Knokke
Belgium
Zwintriathlon
Olympic distance triathlon
October 10
Kona, Hawaii
Ironman Hawaii
Rutgersigns 3-year contract
with Ridley Bikes
Rutger
has signed a contract with Ridley Bikes from
Belgium. From now on, he will use the Ridley Dean and The Ridley Noah. The
Ridley Dean is the revolutionary time trial bike used last year by Cadel
Evans in the Tour de France.
Rutger tested his new Time Trial bike recently and the results were
amazing: after working a little bit on both the bike and his position, it
was found that , compared to the past, he needed 20 watt less power to develop a
constant speed of 45km/hr on the race track in Gent. That's very
promising for the coming season!!!