Sunday 26 June 2016

Good Bye old home

stats of the week: run 18km, cycled 186km, gym 2h
stats of the week before: run 17km, cycled 138km, gym 6h

It was the Brexit week. So it was a disappointing and a sad week. I have spent 30 years' holidays in all parts of Britain and I learnt to love it. Actually I did not have to learn loving it as I loved it right from the first visit.

Now I have to learn that My Britain no longer exists. Today it is a country of yesterday's Nationalism and full of fear instead of former frankness, politeness, modesty and consideration. Warm Welcome is no longer a British trade mark.

My next visit to UK is in less than 5 weeks to cycle the London Ride for my 4th time. I always felt like coming home when I crossed the Channel to Dover. There will be very different feelings this time.

Monday 13 June 2016

Big but not great

stats of the week: run 22km, cycled 284km, gym 2h

As the stats show it was a good week, actually the third toughest of the year so far.
It was more quantity than quality but I have to be happy that it was possible without any hurt.



The local 10K race documented that I am still far away of recent years' level. 48:07 is not presentable. No time for improvement, it's the time to concentrate on cycling now. Maratona is just 3 weeks away.

Monday 6 June 2016

Happy Summer Day

stats of the week: run 24km, cycled 82km, gym 2h

Midweek my knee complained  a lot after the strenuous hillrun in Bhutan and I didn't dare running another hilly race within the near future. But the knee is a mystery and a constant back and forth. On Saturday I felt ready for a new run.

I was happy to finish a local 15K including 300 meters of altitude difference without any pain - apart from heavy breathing in the heat of the day. I even was the quicker one of two in my age group. What a happy day!

Thursday 2 June 2016

Asian experiences

stats of the week: run 34km
stats of the week before: run 10km

The recent fortnight was full of unforgettable impressions.

After I raced a local 10K within satisfying 47:24 minutes I made my long way to China to visit the famous Great Wall Marathon.




It is a memorable event for every runner. Participants were highly excited, not just to experience running parts of the Wall, but by a route going through local villages and their life.

After 5 days in China I have to admit the Great Wall Marathon would make my only reason to go to China again. It turned out to be the most misantropic country I have visited. The polluted air is well known, but adding to this  many people are ruthless, traffic is a deathrap, food can't be worse. At first glance people seem to live freely. They dance on public places and ignore every traffic rule. China obviously has one of highest differences between rich and poor. Though there is no crime. Obviously this is only thanks to draconic penalties, China has the world's highest death penalty rate, not counted inofficial executions. At the airport we had to show the books we took with us. US software like Facebook, Google and Twitter is blocked and cannot be used. News websites are slowed down. Our local guide did not mention any critical matters. However the marathon was really very nice. While running you just have to refrain from thinking about it.

The following week was another story. I made my way to Bhutan and the Himalayan Mountain Marathon. Bhutan is a very small very mountainous counry counting 700,000 inhabitants overall and estimated 350,000 dogs. The Buddhism and a very wise King make the people happy and relaxed. Everybody seems to be smiling. They don't mind food can get short, electricity can drop out any time, the very few roads are only arduously to be used. Happyness is the law. The law says you might smoke at home but selling tobacco is prohibited anywhere in the country. Road workers from Bangladesh have to live in miserable tents beside their working place. But things are moving forward. The progressive King has installed an elected parliament. Tourist still are not allowed to move freely. They have to be guided by a local agency.

The marathon was a gorgeous little event with a mountainous route and very kind marshals.
I was happy to take part in the half distance. Even this was a very strong test for my knees.