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.

Vienna and before the final week

stats of week 2: run 58K, cycled 73K, 1 gym

Greetings from Vienna where I guide a group of runners around the 26th Vienna Marathon.

One of the town's famous landmarks: The old big wheel

The very typical residents' view of the world: (And you should hear them speaking ...)

The pasta party is a "Kaiserschmarrn Party", held in the town hall:

A half marathon runner in high spirits shortly before the finish:


I now nearly finished the best marathon training I have done since 2004. But I very much doubt that I will be able to run 3:30. I think I can do something around 3:40... but I'll try anyway. The weatherforecast promises a rainy race day what would be the best case for me.

56 and very tired

stats of week 3: run 56K, cycled 4hrs, 2 gyms

I am 56 now. FIFTY-SIX! When I was 24 my father died of a double heart attack. He was aged 56. Since then I always have imagined myself to pass away at 56.

However, I don't feel like dropping dead tomorrow. In fact I feel like 40! Okay, there is lost hair, a weak sight, wonky teeth, arthritic knees, a deaf ear. Er - I have to admit this doesn't sound like 40 ... but most body functions are still working! Come back in April 2010 to see if I still will be alive.

Once again I missed a running workout this week. I did a tough cycling tour instead, so I am not concerned. But today I had trouble to get through my urgent long run of 30K. I got so tired I don't think that I would have been able to finish a marathon today... It will be really important to recover satisfyingly until race day.

The Beauty and Berlin

stats of week 4: Run 46km, Cycled 30min, 1 gym

Due to travelling to Berlin I missed a running workout but there is no reason to worry. Berlin Half Marathon was a very good speedy run (1:48:02) what makes up for the lost mileage. I was happy to be tolerated as B's pacemaker - in fact it was just sort of escorting.



German readers might enjoy my photo report, B's fans will definitely like the gallery, and finally there are some videos.

Recovered by record week

stats of week 5: run 65K, 1 gym

As you see I once more managed to beat the schedule! Nevertheless I got some recovery by cancelling the cross training workouts: no cycling, just one gym session, so I had rest days on Monday and Wednesday. Finally I found today's long run of 20 miles easier than 18 miles last Sunday.

Just a short look back at Hastings. I was really happy to receive the Hastings Observer, a weekly local newspaper the organisers sent as a nice surprise. And I proudly will show the Hastings award on my presentation desk in the guests' loo. The Brass depicts William The Conqueror banqueting after his famous victory over King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066:

Next Sunday I will be part of the Berlin Half Marathon, a really big and attractive event with more than 20,000 runners taking part. I hope to have some fun as I will once again be allowed to work as a pacemaker for B who always guarantees enjoyment.