Constant muscle problems

stats of the week: run 18 km, cycled 182 km
stats of the week before: run 22 km, cycled 138 km, indoor cycled 1 h, hiked 12 km

I am rather gutted about my poor running mileage. Due to several muscle problems I had to stick to cycling most of the time and even had a number of rest days. Probably the reason is the lack of strength training and stretching. The gym has opened again meanwhile but I still hesitate to go. Our town is no corona hotspot but there are still a few new infections and I prefer to avoid the risk. However, I can't find the motivation to do strength training at home.

The one highlight of the last week was our 2-day-cycling tour. Towing the baggage trailer with my bike for 90 km each day was a good exercise and got me to my limits. This was another test for a big project I still dream of to do next year.

75 years after - German participation

stats of the week: run 43 km, cycled 98 km, hiked 14 km

The week shows a decent amount of training, however I am still not happy with my level of performance. Okay, I should be content with this volume of exercise having in mind that I count 67 years meanwhile.

Hiking does not only exhilarate your mind. This is how spruces in the local forests look like this year due to the mighty bark beetle.

By the way the ugliest term of the year does not deal with corona. When Germany prepares to be able to throw US American atomic bombs by German jets and threatens to kill hundreds of thousands of people they call it nuclear participation.

Less bruises and higher speed

stats of the week: run 42 km, cycled 63 km, indoor cycled 1 h, hiked 30 km

In Germany we are still lucky to be allowed to do our sport outdoors. So staying at home develops to sort of a training camp.

I am very happy that I no longer have to take the antikoagulants that had been necessary for one year after my heart attack. It not only means less hematomas. To be honest I now hope to get faster again. I will do some speed intervals to show proof of that.

On our way to a hiking marathon we have now reached 30 km. 42 should be possible in a few weeks.

Increased sadness

stats of the week: run 25 km, cycled 175 km, hiked 36 km

What a sad day! For the first time after 20 years - a third of my life - there is no London Marathon for me. There was no action necessary to have this in mind but to increase the grief I was wearing London Marathon finisher shirts all week.

The event is officially postponed to 4th October, but I doubt that it will take place. Today first thoughts were published that the marathon could be limited to the elite field. That would make another very sad day.

I wonder how long hiking through the local woods can keep us in a good mood. The situation starts to get depressing especially there is no end to be seen.

Tough lonesome job

stats of the week: run 19 km, cycled 145 km, hiked 44 km

Did another virtual lonesome race, this time a 10 K on a flat local bike path. The speed was rather okay as I finished after 53:00 min. Usually I enjoy running speed intervals on my own but to keep up the pace for a total of 10 K without any competitors is a tough job. Alas I feel a rising motivation now to get back to speed training.

The Berlin Marathon that was scheduled for 27th Sept is already cancelled. I doubt that London will take place on 4th October.

We still try to stay in good mood by hiking the local woods.

New heart rate wake up custom

stats of the week: run 8 km, cycled 130 km, hiked 51 km

During the first Corona panic I bought a treadmill to ensure exercising while being locked-in. Luckily we are still allowed to run and cycle outside. However I developed a new morning habit. To accelerate my morning sub 40 b/sec heartrate I walk 2 km on the treadmill to wake up before breakfast. That really helps my body to get under way.

Corona time is hiking time. As you see my weekly mileage schedule is still fulfilled thanks to long walks through the local woods. 

Worst ever

stats of the week: run 40 km, indoor cycled 1.75 h

I was so silly to run a personal Berlin Halfmarathon without proper training. And there were more faults. I didn't warm up. I started too fast. I ignored the temperature, it was the year's first warm day. This process ended up with one of the most gruelling experiences of running I ever had. It was my 62nd half marathon but the first one when I had to walk parts of it due to exhaustion. I finished after depressing 2:04:20 h. I am not sure if it is depressing too that I was the oldest runner taking part in this virtual race.

Lonesome at the startline what should have been my 7th Berlin Halfmarathon.

By the way: Imagine you get a fly into your throat but hesitate to cough because people would be scared you are spreading the virus. I was nearly puking until I got enough distance to surrounding walkers.