The older the slower

stats of the week: run 44km, gym 4 hrs
half marathon: 1:44:38

I had to skip Thursday's workout after the treadmill intervals made my thigh harden for a couple of days. No reason to be concerned about. But today's half marathon race let me once again face that recent months left their marks on my performance. The pace of 5 min/km (8min/mile) was according to schedule but my state wasn't. It's hard to notice that I am 7 minutes slower for half marathon compared to last year. Now my London target of 3:30 no longer seems to be realistic.

Long run without choice

stats of the week: run 55km, gym 2hrs


This was my afternoon meal after today's long run of 2.5 hours. It has been my longest run done since early November last year. So I am glad I was able to complete it without physical problems. It was even longer than scheduled for this week but B was convinced she had to do it and I was asked for escort. No choice!

The London Marathon is famous for the Guinness World Record attempts, runners go for every year. German born London resident Uli Kilian is going to raise money for prostate cancer while solving 100 Rubik's cubes during the marathon! See his website and think about donating.

Slow week

stats of the week: run 54km, gym 4hrs

The week's mileage is fine but it wasn't more than an ardous trot all the time as I suffered from a cold. Don't worry, there was no fever and I kept my heart rate low while running - so I think I was ok with it. With 9 weeks to go to London I now hope for more quality training in upcoming weeks.

More start than finish

stats of the week: run 34km, cycled 320km

Did the usual 7.5K february race today and felt it was okay. Nothing spectacular, just ordinary running only a bit slower than recent years. I really can confirm what fellow H said while running: Mental condition is vital for physical activities. I havn't yet got back the head for running close to the limit. It will take more time to run free of thoughts about how life will go on. It may sound strange but my biggest achievement today was to reach the start line.


The weekly mileage looks limping but there were also 400K of very hilly cycling added to this. So I feel confidence to equal the schedule next week.

Island report

stats of the week so far: run 25km, cycled 320km

Folks,

I'm glad to report of a successful week of training on the Canarian island of Fuerteventura. I've to admit it's a rather barren sort of landscape. However, passing its central mountains I imagined it could be Northern Scotland if it would just be greener and wetter.



Our southern hotel was'nt conveniently situated for cycling as the first 17km were the same every day out and back. Therefore it was also sort of training for psychological stamina.

Regarding my personal circumstances I'm happy that I had proper week of sports what makes kind of a start to a new year and a different life.

Sunny interval

stats of the week: run 34km, cycled 78km, gym 4hrs

With a little help of Diclofenac our Fuerteventura cycling week started promising. The first two days saw fellow F and me doing 180km with an ascent of more than 3,000 meters of height difference. The island offers really challenging routes, actually a bit too tough at the begin of season. So we take it easy and slow but it is still exhausting.

Anyone looking for cycling early season in the sun I still would recommend to go to Lanzarote which is more convenient to start the new year's training. However, my target is to see all seven Canarian islands and Fuerteventura was my second last to visit. The only one now missing is El Hierro, the smallest one, not a cycler's destination but good walking area.

Cautious schedule

stats of the week: run 47km, gym 3.5 hrs

The week's mileage looks fine. Speed is still rather low but is improving. The only nuisance is that my back doesn't recover. For running it's okay but I doubt that I'll be able to have a good cycling week on Fuerteventura next week.

I'm going to ask the doc for another deep injection behind my spine and go for a session of osteopathy.

So far I refrain from setting a time goal for London but this is a rough schedule for the final 12 weeks: