Old man flowering

stats of the week: run 38km, gym 4h

It looks like a low key sports week but I was forced to recover from post race muscle pain until I started a much loved long distance hill race in the Teutoburger Wald. I thought it'd make a good preparation for the NYC Marathon as it boasts 29km and 600 vertical meters with some really steep sections.

Disappointingly I had to walk three times (!) - more than ever before at this race. By the finish I clocked 3 min more than 2 years ago. Still fast enough to climb the podium for the very first time at such a big and renowned event. After 2:32 h I was 3rd of 33 age group runners and a proud old man being awarded with a potted flower.

By the way: If you ever need to rent a car on Majorca be aware that "Goldcar" is a dubios company not to be trusted. They charge extortionate petrol prices and will debit unjustified fees weeks after you have returned the car.

Still fit by the Alps

stats of 3 recent weeks: run 92km, cycled 380km, gym 4h

Recent weeks were far from a structured training. A hot and sunny week on Majorca let us keep to cycling the island's pretty hills and we had one day of extraordinarily enjoyable walking. The spectacular climb up Torrent de Pareis from Sa Calobra to Escorca was a memorable experience.

After these weeks with very little running I started today's local half marathon with big questions on my capabilities. Luckily I found the perfect pacemaker to follow for the whole distance. Finally he was tougher than me but I was very happy to finish after 1:38:51 which in fact was my age graded second best half marathon ever. The transalpine performance effect still seems to operate.