Asian experiences

stats of the week: run 34km
stats of the week before: run 10km

The recent fortnight was full of unforgettable impressions.

After I raced a local 10K within satisfying 47:24 minutes I made my long way to China to visit the famous Great Wall Marathon.

It is a memorable event for every runner. Participants were highly excited, not just to experience running parts of the Wall, but by a route going through local villages and their life.

After 5 days in China I have to admit the Great Wall Marathon would make my only reason to go to China again. It turned out to be the most misantropic country I have visited. The polluted air is well known, but adding to this  many people are ruthless, traffic is a deathrap, food can't be worse. At first glance people seem to live freely. They dance on public places and ignore every traffic rule. China obviously has one of highest differences between rich and poor. Though there is no crime. Obviously this is only thanks to draconic penalties, China has the world's highest death penalty rate, not counted inofficial executions. At the airport we had to show the books we took with us. US software like Facebook, Google and Twitter is blocked and cannot be used. News websites are slowed down. Our local guide did not mention any critical matters. However the marathon was really very nice. While running you just have to refrain from thinking about it.

The following week was another story. I made my way to Bhutan and the Himalayan Mountain Marathon. Bhutan is a very small very mountainous counry counting 700,000 inhabitants overall and estimated 350,000 dogs. The Buddhism and a very wise King make the people happy and relaxed. Everybody seems to be smiling. They don't mind food can get short, electricity can drop out any time, the very few roads are only arduously to be used. Happyness is the law. The law says you might smoke at home but selling tobacco is prohibited anywhere in the country. Road workers from Bangladesh have to live in miserable tents beside their working place. But things are moving forward. The progressive King has installed an elected parliament. Tourist still are not allowed to move freely. They have to be guided by a local agency.

The marathon was a gorgeous little event with a mountainous route and very kind marshals.
I was happy to take part in the half distance. Even this was a very strong test for my knees.

Mourning the knee

stats of the week: run 41km, cycled 38km, gym 3h

More than 5 months gone since my knee was cut by the doc - and if you ask me now I would say it was the wrong decision. I should have tried without surgery. Of course I cannot turn it back now.

I am still taping the joint for every run. I take collagen tablets, aminoglucose, and eat chili, kurkuma and ginger daily. I do weight training regularly.

The knee still tends to swell after strain. However, at least it is free of pain as long as I am running. A pity is that one has stop sometime.

Gran Week and Fondo

stats of the week: run 10km, cycled 421km

Preparation in the Piedmont week up to the Gran Fondo Desenzano del Garda was successful. Well, I did not lose weight. But Italian cuisine and red wine proved to spend the energy needed.

The German-Dutch express train at the final stretch to finish alongside Lake Garda. The Gran Fondo with nearly 3,000 riders is a nice event with good roads in beautiful countryside.

Italian Recovery

stats of the week: run 8 km, cycled 36 km, gym 2h

The Piedmont is a perfect area to recover from the London Marathon. The food is excellent and healthy.

 The wine is among the world's best.

And cycling is pure enjoyment.

Don't forget: The London Marathon 2017 ballot has started today and will close on Friday.

London Race Day

stats of the week: run 60km, gym 2 h
London Marathon result: 4:04:36 h

Race director Hugh Brasher called it an incredible day and that's what is was. A record field of more 39,000 runners, Kipchoge winning close to a world record, on the way clocking a 30K world record. A dramatic scene when three leading women fell heavily to the ground after 23 miles with Jemima Sumgong rebounding strongly to win the final sprint over defending champion Tigist Tufa.

My own race developed much better than expected. Starting cautiously I could hold up the pace to 35K before I had to have a short rest after 38K and then I was able to enjoy the final two miles and finish with a smile.

With worried thoughts I passed a scene where a runner obviously got reanimated. On Monday I had to learn that David Seath, 31, shortly later passed away in hospital. If this kind of dissolution would happen to me at 63+ I would call it a life fulfilling end. R.I.P. Dave, you were far too young. The charity Dave was running for is Help for Heroes.
Visit his Justgiving donation page.

Tough times waiting

stats of the week: run 63km, gym 4h
stats of the previous week: run 28km, cycled 36km, gym 4h

7 days to go to London!

That's all what I could do. Following the Berlin Half Marathon ironically the non-operated knee was worse than the repaired one and forced me to reduce the mileage. Finally and overall I put in three 20K-runs and one 28K-run in the weeks counting down to London.
This should get me to the finish number 17. I know the final 10K are going to be very tough. But I am used to that.

Did you know that there is a Facebook tracking now available that posts your start, half time and finish in time in London? Register

Easy running 5K into Berlin Half Marathon

Sand work pays

stats of the week: run 35km, cycled 150km, gym 2h
half marathon result: 1:47:28

Running on the sandy paths of Lanzarote paid in Berlin. No muscle soreness after running the half marathon at a speed I never trained.

I cautiously started my race with a pace adjusted for a finish sub 1:50 h. First and second 5km had exactly the same time of 25:38. Happily I was able to increase the pace to 25:26 and 25:15 on the second half of the distance and finished smiling.

Two days later the meniscus complained and reminded me of being still cautious approaching April 24. I still have to do at least one long run of at least 25km. I hadn't done more before my last NYC marathon - and it worked.