Sunday 26 July 2015

Request for rest

stats of the week: run 30km, cycled 272km, gym 3h

You might note that this was a rather tough week as it was following the long hill race last weekend. You're right. My body asks for a couple of recovery days now. A Tour de France cyclist was quoted: "I ate 'pain' for breakfast." This reminds me of how I got up this morning.

Tuesday 21 July 2015

Good days follow bad days

stats of the week: run 51km, cycled 240km

Holidays can get somewhat strenuous if you have your bike and your running shoes with you. This week we tried the original route of the notorious Ă–tztaler Bike Marathon - alas we divided it into 3 days and it was still a challenge with its more than 5,000 meters of altitude difference. I still have no idea how to do it within one day! I don't want to have a another bad day ending with the need of a salt infusion.

However, running the Eiger Ultra Trail I had an unexpected good day. 51 km including 3,000 altitude meters up and down turned out to be pure enjoyment. Perfect weather conditions made it a successful day and let me finish after 8:56 hours placed 6th of all men over 60.

To be honest I thought about never coming back to Switzerland due to the unbelievable high price level. If there weren't some very alluring events taking place in this beautiful country...

Sunday 12 July 2015

Physical limits in the Alps

stats of the week: run 28km/1,500mad, cycled 26km/950mad
stats of the week before: run 18km, cycled 323km/6,700mad

The alpine bike race Maratona dles Dolomites turned out to become a test of my physical limits. Not only it wasn't one of my best days but the temperature of nearly 40°c added to this. At the fork point after 76km I made the wrong decision and chose the long distance. Feeling that I had a problem I allowed myself more and long stops at the feeding stations and mid route. So I made it to the finish line but only to find myself cared for at the medical tent.

However, the salt infusion put me back on my feet and I was able to get on to some hill runs. Seems necessary to prepare for next Saturday.