Testing week in Emilia Romagna

stats of the week: run 17 km, cycled 137 km, indoor cycled 2 h, gym 3 h

A fairly proper week of exercising but I still haven't got the confidence to be fit for Nove Colli. My longest ride so far was 105 km, Nove Colli's distance is the double.

Maybe the Pinarello bike will help but it hasn't got a senior equipment to handle the steep hills. I will test it tomorrow on a guided tour that waits with 1,600 m of ascent.

Low level week

stats of the week: run 35 km, cycled 140 km, indoor cycled 2 h, gym 2 h

It was more running than scheduled as focus should be on cycling now. However, it was very low level running. While I got the impression that my cycling is even lower level, after I got overtaken by more female riders than ever. I keep telling myself not to be depressed. At least I extended my longest ride so far to 100 K which is half the distance of the Nove Colli.

Two more weeks to get prepared for the year's first cycling highlight.

London News

stats of the week: cycled 136 km, gym 3 h

My disappointing performance at the London Marathon provided one advantage. Due to the long stretches of walking my recovery seems to be faster than usual. But will it be fast enough to get fit on the bike for Nove Colli in 2 weeks?

There are some news around the London Marathon while the ballot is still open until tomorrow 7pm.

Adidas is finished as main sponsor and New Balance steps in for 2018 and onwards.

The World Marathon Majors have announced that the series will be extended by 3 more races in a few years. Obviously one of the new members will be in China as Wanda is the new main WMM sponsor. Cape town is another favourite and the third one will probably be in Asia.

And the London Marathon has launched a new London City Half Marathon called The Big Half. 5,800 public entries are already sold out. You can still get in via charity and via the 4 London Boroughs where the race will take place. The Big Half

London flop

stats of the week: run 71 km
London Marathon result: 4:17:18

The 37th London Marathon was a big success - not for me but for the organizers. The day produced a record field of more than 39,400 runners and a new women-only world record. Mary Keitany finished a truely brave race after 2:17:01. Even Paula Radcliffe was faster only once and that was with the help of male pacemakers.

Favourite Kenenisa Bekele was not able to fulfil expectations. Midrace he faced problems and fell behind. But he recovered and chased the leading Daniel Wanjiru who strongly defended 9 seconds and made it home first.

For me the story was not top but flop. I tried to be brave and kept to the schedule until 30 km. Then all my power was gone and I had to walk several stretches that made nearly half the way to the finish. I knew I couldn't make it within Boston qualification and preferred to reach the finish line in good health. 5 or 10 years ago I was able to run properly without proper training but nowadays at 64 things obviously are different. For my 50th marathon I hope to be prepared better.

(photos by Isaak Papadopolus / interair.de)

Top or flop

stats of the week: run 10 km, cycled 205 km

The cold turned out to be persistent and still kept me off running. I hoped the mild temperatures of Majorca would be helpful but they failed to do so. At least I could do some short road cycling tours that I highly enjoyed.

With a desperate attempt to get ready for London I completed a very slow jog of 2 hours today. A total of 45 km during the recent 3 weeks can't be sold as a suitable workload. I I feel nearly recovered next Sunday I will nevertheless try to beat 4 hours. Top or flop. When I have to admit that I am getting too slow than time will be of no relevance and I will have a relaxed walk to the finish.

Disappointing schedule

stats of the week: run 8 km, cycled 150 km, gym 4 h

With 2 weeks to go to London long runs are still missing in my schedule. The strained muscle has recovered but now I have catched a bad cold that keeps me off serious running.

At least I was able to cycle during the meanwhile stay on Majorca. There is no better place in Europe to enjoy road cycling than on this Spanish island. Roads are scenic and well-kept, car drivers are more considerate than anywhere else.

However, my thoughts are about running now. Boston qualification should be impossible now after failing to do the decisive long runs to prepare.

Toll of the test

stats of the week: run 9 km, cycled 150 km, indoor cycled 1 h, gym 2h

The half marathon takes its toll now and sends me back with a strained muscle. I tried to do some cycling instead but finally found it not helpful for the process of recovering.

18 days to London.

At least I made a sort of come back today with 2.5 km on the treadmill.