Still running while cycling

stats of the week: run 28 km, cycled 93 km, gym 2 h

Starting the cycling holiday in Italian Piemont we discovered that a local running event took place on Friday evening. No question we had to take part. It was a short race of some 6.2 km at the hilltop village of Moncalvo. Hilltop meant the course start was at the top, then it went steeply down to the valley and steeply back to the piazza in the village.

It was a very informal race without timing and results. Luckily I studied the route map before race day so I was right en route while several runners in front of me went wrong although there was a volunteer to show the direction but he kept calm and let them go. At least half a dozen runners finished minutes behind me though they were much faster. However, it was sort of a fun run and nobody really complained.

Most impressive was a 89-year-old guy who finished just 2 minutes behind me!

Still tired

stats of the week: run 26 km, cycled 154 km, gym 3 h

Still feeling tired and especially my running performance is dreadfully low. May be running half ill during several weeks takes its toll now.

There is not only a Boxhill in England (part of the London Ride). This is Boxberg in the heart of Germany, east of Cologne.

Heading for next challenge

stats of the week: run 8 km, cycled 236 km, gym 2 h

It's cycling season now and I am surprised that the legs don't hesitate to rotate again. The season on the bike will be short this year because after only two bike races there are more interesting runs waiting. And I am looking forward to these events.

However, next challenge is no less than Mont Ventoux!

65 and happy

London time: 4:46:53
Boston time: 4:32:48

I'm not certain about how to judge my double marathon week. Of course I'm happy that I was able to finish both runs.

In Boston happened what I planned to avoid absolutely. But due to the cold and wet weather the muscle pain was the worst ever I had after any marathon. Therefore it was very hard work to complete another marathon after only six days. In London I was able to run painfully for the first 30 km but then the muscles had their own finish. I walked nearly all of the remaining 12 km. So I got my medals and should be happy with this result.

The main finding of my races this year is that I am no longer able to run a sub 4 hours marathon. However, in London there were only 437 men of 65 years and older among more than 40,000 runners. I was one of them. That is why I am really happy.

London celebrations

stats of the week: cycled 36 km, gym 1.5 h
stats of Boston-London week: run 84 km
stats of before Boston week: run 23 km

London winners 2018: The world's best ever marathon runner, Eliud Kipchoge, and perhaps the new dominat champion, Vivian Cheruiyot, who became the 4th fastest women ever at her only 2nd marathon.

The World Major Marathon winners 2018, Eliud of course, Mary Keitany, Manuela Schär and Marcel Hug of Switzerland. Eliud has collected 7 majors wins and an Olympic marathon gold medal, Mary has 6 major wins too.

The six world major marathons' race directors line up before Tower Bridge.

All four 2018 London Marathon winners: Vivian and Eliud together with David Weir (UK) and Madison De Rosario (US). David celebrated his 8th London win!

Some less known but equally happy London finishers:

Final Countdown

stats of the week: run 49 km, cycled 131 km

I fulfilled my schedule to run 100K during the 11 days on Lanzarote. Together with 240K of hilly cycling it makes a decent holiday. I don't think I could do more for the final countdown to the Boston-London double.

It may help that I have to start at the very end of the 25,000 pack in Hopkinton. This will prevent me from beginning to fast. My plan is to keep a 6:30 min/K pace to avoid too much load to the muscles.

Scenes of Lanzarote:

Long jog done

stats of the week: run 55 km, cycled 109 km, gym 2 h

We are lucky with the weather on Lanzarote and conditions are perfect for cycling and running. Managed to complete the long jog but only with two short walks at 25 and 27 km. Cannot really imagine to finish a marathon in two weeks. However, experience teaches that you can do more than you think. So I stick to my plans doing the double of Boston and London. There is no plan B.