Going North

stats of the week: run 65km, gym 3hrs

With just 5 weeks to go to London Marathon day, time seems to be going by faster than ever. However, the recent week was the first one to let me hope for sort of a come back. A proper long run midweek and a decent hilly workout today ... that's a promising sign.

Plans for next Sunday are to take part in a 33K race along Germany's most fashionable island - Sylt. The run depends very much on the weather as the place is far north and exposed to the winds. I already did it four times and enjoyed it. So I look forward to getting back to gladsome days.


The race always is sold out about 10 months before race date. I don't tell you how to get in now ...

Turkey Trip

stats of the week: run 53km, gym 2 hrs

Last weekend I made my first ever visit to Turkey where I guided a group of interAir guests around the Antalya Marathon. We had two sunny and summer like days before Sunday. The view of the Taurus mountains which rise up to 3,700m was magnificent. Open minded people and a very modern city life contradicted my prejudice of a still to be developed state of law.


Sunday's weather was different. The start line was flooded and runners had to wade across the timing mats.

Turkish Handan Eser (133) is leading the pack and finally wins her age group F50 after 3:27 hrs.

For those of you who like to see more photos there is a gallery.

Regarding my own sports week I wasn't satisfied with my workouts. My legs' muscels were still hardened and I missed the scheduled long run.

The older the slower

stats of the week: run 44km, gym 4 hrs
half marathon: 1:44:38

I had to skip Thursday's workout after the treadmill intervals made my thigh harden for a couple of days. No reason to be concerned about. But today's half marathon race let me once again face that recent months left their marks on my performance. The pace of 5 min/km (8min/mile) was according to schedule but my state wasn't. It's hard to notice that I am 7 minutes slower for half marathon compared to last year. Now my London target of 3:30 no longer seems to be realistic.

Long run without choice

stats of the week: run 55km, gym 2hrs


This was my afternoon meal after today's long run of 2.5 hours. It has been my longest run done since early November last year. So I am glad I was able to complete it without physical problems. It was even longer than scheduled for this week but B was convinced she had to do it and I was asked for escort. No choice!

The London Marathon is famous for the Guinness World Record attempts, runners go for every year. German born London resident Uli Kilian is going to raise money for prostate cancer while solving 100 Rubik's cubes during the marathon! See his website and think about donating.

Slow week

stats of the week: run 54km, gym 4hrs

The week's mileage is fine but it wasn't more than an ardous trot all the time as I suffered from a cold. Don't worry, there was no fever and I kept my heart rate low while running - so I think I was ok with it. With 9 weeks to go to London I now hope for more quality training in upcoming weeks.

More start than finish

stats of the week: run 34km, cycled 320km

Did the usual 7.5K february race today and felt it was okay. Nothing spectacular, just ordinary running only a bit slower than recent years. I really can confirm what fellow H said while running: Mental condition is vital for physical activities. I havn't yet got back the head for running close to the limit. It will take more time to run free of thoughts about how life will go on. It may sound strange but my biggest achievement today was to reach the start line.


The weekly mileage looks limping but there were also 400K of very hilly cycling added to this. So I feel confidence to equal the schedule next week.

Island report

stats of the week so far: run 25km, cycled 320km

Folks,

I'm glad to report of a successful week of training on the Canarian island of Fuerteventura. I've to admit it's a rather barren sort of landscape. However, passing its central mountains I imagined it could be Northern Scotland if it would just be greener and wetter.



Our southern hotel was'nt conveniently situated for cycling as the first 17km were the same every day out and back. Therefore it was also sort of training for psychological stamina.

Regarding my personal circumstances I'm happy that I had proper week of sports what makes kind of a start to a new year and a different life.