Mind Marathon

stats of the week: run 66km, cycled 160km, gym 2h
Ruhr Marathon result: 3:55:44

You could rate this as a failure and you'd probably be right. Today's marathon was intended to become a build-up run to put miles into the box for the Comrades challenge.

The marathon ended up as another race and the burden I feel now is even higher than last time. There is no part all along my legs that doesn't hurt.

The pace seemed to be easy and once I noticed that I was too fast I wasn't able to slowdown. However, I could keep the speed until to the end but it was a matter of mind.

Relaxed attitude after 20K

 

See the difference after 36K

 

 



Back to proper training

stats of the week: run 50km, cycled 190km, gym 3h

For the first time in 15 years I missed the London Marathon Ballot! It was closed at noon on Monday after it was opened at midnight. Organizers didn't tell how many applicants had been accepted. Last year there were 170,000.

Overseas runners should make their agency reservation well before September 2013! No doubt who is best for Germany: www.interair.de  :-)

As the headline shows it was a proper training week for me. Next Sunday will be a decisive day concerning my Comrades participation. If I'm able run the Vivawest Marathon free of pain and injury I'll give it a go.

The 14th

London Marathon time: 3:58:11

A happy runner half time ...

and so it was at the finish.

It was one my best Londons as I was able to run two equal halves that just differed by 13 seconds. Conditions were perfect and crowds better than ever. The day was too great to run slow. The load let me rest for a whole week now but I still hope to get ready for the longer one.

Greetings from Hyde Park

stats of the week: run 30km, cycled 93km, gym 2h

The view from Lancaster Hotel room

Hope everyone coming for the marathon had a good journey. Weather is perfect for a PB, 13°c, cloudy with patches, no rain, wind calming down.

London Marathon organizers have decided to donate 2 GBP per finisher on Sunday which makes up more than 100,000 $ going to the victims of the Boston attack. Every runner will be provided with a black ribbon to be worn during the marathon in memory of the victims. There will be also be a minute of silence prior to the start.

Regarding my personal preparation there are no good news. The Achilles tendon problem still continues and my only target is to finish the Marathon without any significant worsening.

Cycling Adventure

stats of 2 weeks: 700km slow cycling, run 25km

Cycling Cuba was more of an adventure than we expected. People even more friendly and helpful than hoped, vegetarian eating sometimes limited, roads very different, shops empty but guarded, accommodation very close to local way of living. Didn't smoke cigars, but had some cocktails ...

The come back now is almost pain free but London has to be tackled without long training runs. I have to admit I have never tried a marathon with such a bad preparation.

Pain free day

stats of the week: run 20km, indoor cylcing 2.5h, gym 2h

After more than 2 weeks today was the first day without tendon pain. That let's hope. Even more after I extended the treadmill session to 30min and 5K today. During the week I cautiously did just 1-h-triathlon workouts of a combination of crosstrainer, bike and treadmill. I've to admit that I returned to taking a bit of diclofenac after my sado maso physio diagnosed a light Inflammation.

Alas the Achilles tendon will be given a break while I'm on a fortnight of touristic biking on Cuba. Looking forward to enjoy sunshine and heat ...

Bad Habit

stats of the week: gym 2h
stats of the previous week: run 19km, indoor cycling 1h, gym 2h

A significant set-back reminds me to be patient getting ready for the season. Problems with the Achilles tendon have to be taken serious. It is one the most stubborn injuries a runner can be confronted with.

It stroke me without advance warning after a double session of running and indoor cycling when I followed the group's stretching exercise. Usually I never do stretches after training because I believe the muscles need to relax after the workout's burden. To follow the cycling group's habit was a momentous mistake and forces me to rest for at least a fortnight. And it enabled my physiotherapist to plague me more than ever.