After the Vienna marathon in April, I didn't know what I was going to do over the summer before I started my 14 week plan for the Budapest marathon.

Then a colleague of mine asked if I would like to do the Ultrabalaton in a team. I said yes. We had planned to run it with 5 guys, it ended up with 4. We ran the 212km in under 17 hours - an average pace of 4:45, we each ran around 53km - a bit more than we wanted, my pace was 4:40, tiring, but something different. That was the first new experience, and one I definitely wish to do again. The team did way better than expected.

The second experience was a triathlon. Well, I set myself up for a big challenge here. I had to get up to speed with the swimming - I am ok for that, I just needed to keep practising and improving my technique.
Then my big weakness is the cycling - I had to start cycling into work regularly and also try and get the longer distances going. I had some troubles here as the cycling made my back significantly worse. I already have back issues and am seeing a gyogytornaszno.
The other challenge was I needed a proper bike! My old one was horrible, and heavy, I was really tired after 60km, no idea if I could manage 91km.
I ordered the bike, but it was delayed for 2-3 weeks with issues at the factory. Then I was travelling for work. The bike arrived the day before Balatonman (fured) happened, I landed at ferihegy, didn't go home, rather picked up the clothes that I had left in the office, picked up the bike and met up with my friend Pierre to drive down to Balatonfured and get ready.
It was my first triathlon, interesting - I had never done an open water swim, never ridden my bike and a half ironman is a pretty big one to start with :)
In the swim I almost panicked - I didn't have a watch on, so was very worried I was slow and wouldn't make the cut off. I  swam all over the place - apologies to those I bumped into with my zig-zagging! In the end, it was the fastest pace I have ever swam :)
The bike was also interesting - it was the first time I had ridden it! It was awesome! I took it a bit easy as I wasn't sure how tired I would be for the run.
Eventually, I started the run - I caught up with Pierre who was a lap ahead of me. I left him and ran a fairly fast half marathon at 1h41 considering I had cycled a lot. I came in at 6 hours 25 - pretty good for a first half ironman with far from perfect preparation.

I had wanted to then try the Balaton atuszas as my 3rd event. That didn't happen as it was delayed and then clashed. Still I swam 4.2km in practise, so I count that here. My technique is improving, though I have a long long way to go. Swimming is rather boring! Maybe I should try some sprints and other things.

The good thing about the triathlon and this cross training is getting very very fit while doing other sports. I consumed over 32,000 calories in April when preparing. With running as the main sport, my max is 22,000.
It has got me into some very good shape. I haven't lost that much weight, but I believe I am stronger and seeing the results in my running now - together with the exercises the gyogytornaszno is giving me for my back, which is strengthening my core a lot.

It's looking good, hopefully I can get significantly closer to 3 hours in the Budapest marathon, I should.... I give myself 20% chance of breaking 3 hours this time.

I am thinking of the Zurich marathon for the first half of next year if I don't succeed in the Budapest marathon - I know the city and that is a very flat course - more chance than Vienna.