Another Finish, another Medal

stats of the week: run 62K, 1 gym

Finally we made it to the RuhrMarathon's finish line in Essen, after B had to overcome an injury problem and her disappointment.

We clocked 4:21 hrs, not too bad after a delayed start when we had to wait in pouring rain and low temperatures for 50 minutes. We were on schedule until 26K but then B had a tough time to reach the finish. She proved to be a brave runner! And I have to admit her trouble helped to me to cover the distance in man-shape.


You might like to have a look at the photo gallery.

Another race number

The New York City Marathon seems to feel the crisis, too. Today I unexpectedly got confirmation that I received a Good-for-Age-Entry for the 2009 race on November 1!

I tried this first time in 2006 and was successful. 2007 I applied again and was told that I had to stand back because I got a number the year before. 2008 I was successful again. So for 2009 I expected me to be rejected according to the previous rules.

It was said that NYRR are aiming for a field of 50,000 runners within a couple of years. Applicants seem to have better prospects now. Anyway, I am happy to take part again. Provided I am staying fit to run it will be my 5th time!

Photo 2005: Leaving Queensborough bridge for 1st Avenue.

By the way - I qualified by running the Hastings Half Marathon 2009 in 1hr37min gun time. M50+ runners have to be faster than 1hr40min what is much easier than the marathon aequivalent of 3hr30min. See qualifying times at NYCM website.

Cycling to new limits

Stats of the week: run 37K, cycled 194K, 2 gyms

Oh folks, what have I done!

This week I received confirmation by http://www.interair.de/ that I got a number to cycle this year's l'etape du tour! It's not any leg, it's the one finishing on top of Mont Ventoux! What means that after 140K with some "minor" mountain passes there will be waiting 1,600 height meters to climb. I have done some sporty events so far but I reckon this is going to be the toughest day of my life. For me it's only a one-day-race - I have increasing respect for those who do it as just one leg of the 3-week-tour.

(wiki photo)

Recovered and enjoying

stats of the week: cycled 110K

It took a very long time for my muscles to recover. Today I did my first jog since the London Marathon. It was so enjoyable! Running through the spring time woods in a light drizzle reminded me of what is really important. One doesn't need to run a marathon. Just moving through nature keeping your eyes open is definately enough to be happy. Speed doesn't matter. Medals don't matter.

Er - this might be the moment to admit that I have entered another marathon not too far away. In fact it is just 10 days to go! I had to enter, there was no choice. I would have prefered to do the Half Marathon through my hometown again. But organisers changed the route. Now I have to go for the full distance to run through Bochum. Luckily it's the first 15K which I love to run. May be I will retire after half way. Alas - I have finished 301 races and not given up once. I would rather walk the second half than quit the race.

My London Struggle

Definately this couple did better than me! Samuel Wanjiru didn't worry about the high temperatures and won by course record of 2:05:10.


Irina Mikitenko (GER) defended her title and surfed to a safe victory after 2:22:11.


After 11 miles I managed to show high spirits but I already knew that this wasn't going to be the best of my days.

Finally having received my medal I was looking content - and I really was. The main target was to finish my 10th consecutive London Marathon. Shouldn't I be happy about this achievement?


Until 35K I was still on target of running 3:30. But right from the start I felt something wrong. With 5K into a marathon one should feel completely fresh like just started. But I felt tired already. Nevertheless I tried to stick to my time schedule. There was a refresh after half way and new hopes emerged. But after 30K I got slower and felt sick. With just 1 K to go I got a strong and sudden cramp at my right hamstring. I lost 2 minutes to get over it. Finally I was lucky that my sickness didn't get worse before I reached The Mall but only 3 meters behind the finish line where I was ashamed to have to vomit repeatedly. A tough finish!

3:35:31 still makes my fastest marathon since my PB in 2004. And just 11 seconds slower than my very first marathon in 1991 - when I was 18 years younger. The longer I analyse last Sunday's result the happier I get...

Finished - 3:35:31

I'll tell you later how tough it was. One of my toughest, so I am happy with my result which is the best marathon since 5 years ago.

Race number 54897

Greetings from London

Perfect weather?

The forecast has now changed to heavy rain and 15°c. This kind of scenery would be perfect. I performed my PB in 2004 in constant rain.

I am off to London tomorrow. Unfortunately I don't yet know my race number. Hopefully you can follow me by LIVE results along the race.

Honestly - I will be happy to reach the finish line. It would be my 10th London Marathon in a row - enough to be proud of whatever the time.

Whether you run in Bonn or Bielefeld, in Hamburg or London, have a good race and great fun.