Lungs and legs recovered

stats of the week: run 37km, cycled 42km, gym 4h

To get back to faster moving and to test lungs and legs I spontaneously joined a local 10k race. The new course turned out to be a very hilly route with a steep road which had to be climbed five times. Not too much for alpine proved muscles!

Although I didn't do any speed training all summer I was able to run faster than at my last short race, a flat 5K 2 months ago. 45:45 min was better than expected. The conclusion for me is that I should stick to regular hill training as it seems to make me stronger.

photo: top of the hill. (copyright Heinz Schier HSR Fotografie)

Legs fit, mind empty

stats of the fortnight: Transalpine Run, 261km, 15,800 alt.m, 48:03 hrs
cycled 155km

German speaking readers might have followed the daily blog and noticed that we indeed finished the transalp race. A unique 8-day-experience that has proved that one can do more than one thought.

The following week was far less than relaxing with some hill walking and cycling up Jaufenpass, Timmelsjoch (Passo Rombo) and the Sella Ronda Bike Day. But this kind of activity can't cover that my motivation to do any more competitions in oncoming weeks is lower than low. My legs are still okay but my mind is exhausted.

The last and least thing to do

stats of the week: run 36km, cycled 198km, gym 4h

To fail is not an option.

It's not the time to think about anything. It's time to run. Up and down and far away. The only pity is that I have to use my own legs.

German speaking readers might like to follow the Transalpine Sterntaler Blog.
It all starts next Saturday.

Training peak too low

stats of the week: run 75km, cycled 35km, gym 1.5h

It was a tough week including a hilly 20k-race which I clocked 1:39:54. One and a half minute slower than 2 years ago what is the normal age-caused decline I reckon. My present fitness is the year's best so far but I doubt that I will be able to cope with 260km and 15,000m of altitude difference in 8 days.

That's the challenge at the Transalpine Run which I was persuaded to take part in. It starts next week on Saturday. I guess my chances to finish are less than 30 per cent. No chance to do more severe training - it's time to taper now.

Blue London

stats of the week: run 57km, cycled 54km, gym 3h

London's colour 2013 is blue.

 

 

Lately erected on Trafalgar Square the bright blue big Cock is a sculpture by German artist Katharina Fritsch. The proud male bird makes an adequate addition to the historic statues around - Lord Nelson, George IV and a couple of British generals. "I like the British humour," Ms Fritsch is quoted.

Inaugural London Cycle

stats of the week: run 36km, cycled 268km, gym 1.5h

The inaugural cycle race London Ride 100 turned out to be good fun. The weather was perfect, the Surrey landscape beautiful and the cyclists were relaxed. More than 15,000 finishers with an extraordinary female rate of 20% enjoyed cycling through the City of London, Richmond Park, Surrey country roads over Leith Hill and National Trust's Box Hill with a royal finish on the Mall.

There were very few overseas participants but this hopefully will change next year after this successful first time event.

My personal performance was fairly satisfying, clocking 5:48h for the 100 miles lap with 1,000m of altitude difference, with the only downer that I lost about 20min using the crowded food stations.

Event site: www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk

Memories of Fate

stats of the week: run 33km, cycled 95km, gym 3h, hill walking 9h

The tragedy of the Zugspitz Run is 5 years ago now but it is still present. Germany's highest top has become sort of a fate mountain for me. Whenever I climb it - as I do every year to care for the memory plate - I worry about anybody who accompanies me. This time C and I again chose the Höllental ascent and I was very relieved after we had easily crossed the glacier and made the crucial step over the crevasse to the ferrata. However, it was a very hot day and after 9 hours of walking and climbing the two of us were both exhausted.