Only watching Stockholm

stats of the week: run 24km, cycled 204km, gym 2hrs

Stockholm certainly offers one the world's most beautiful marathons. For any dedicated runner it can only be hard to watch it without having the chance to take part. At least I was able to do two short training runs along the coastline and rent a bike for a two-hour-sightseeing tour. It was an enjoyable weekend although with too cold temperatures.

The oncoming week now should see me doing more cycling! 4 weeks to go ...

A week to remember

stats of the week: run 21km, cycled 255km, gym 3hrs

The week will be kept in mind as the one when a 3-year-old called me "old grand-pa" and a fellow runner asked if I was in age group 60. The latter has happened to me since a decade of years and is less hurting now as there are just 2 years to become a member of this club.

This also was the week when I have run my best 5K (21:37) since 4 years what is quite satisfying after I have reduced my mileage to one or two workouts per week.

Regarding cycling it is still the same thing: I haven't done enough but I have done what was possible.

All I can do may not be enough

stats of the week: run 14km, cycled 377km, gym 1.5hrs

Six weeks left to prepare for Tour Transalp but I feel way off to be ready for the challenge. After a hilly ride of 120km on Friday I was still worn out the next morning. This was even less than any of the 7 stages will demand! However, I can't do more than recent week and feel satisfied with the bike mileage.

On a leisurely bike trip throug East Westphalia I passed a stork sitting in his airy nest:

Watching runners in sunshine

stats of the week: run 20km, cycled 197km, gym 1.5hrs

Watching and photographing the Dusseldorf Marathon today was nearly as exhausting as running it would have been. Staying in bright sunshine all day let me come home worn out.
You might like to have a look at the gallery.

Since long I have wished to go to this landmark when passing along the motorway. A visitor from Hongkong now made me climb it finally. It was worth the visit. The Tetraeder Viewpoint:

8 weeks to the challenge

stats of the week: run 10km, cycled 330km, gym 2 hrs

As expected the 2012 ballot is closed already. At least it was open for nearly two whole days this time. I once again applied for the overseas lottery - for the 13th time, probably in vain as 12 times before.

After a close study of the calendar I cancelled my appearance at today's 10K race around the local lake. I had to accept that I should concentrate on cycling now. No time to bath in disappointment any longer. There are only 8 weeks to get ready for my biggest ever challenge.

2012 race starts

My stats of the week: run 13km, cycled 104km

Don't miss the opening of the 2012 ballot tomorrow morning. Unfortunately there is no information about the exact time of the opening. Last year it was around midnight. For 2011 125,000 applicants were accepted for the national ballot, 5,500 for the overseas one. 46,698 numbers were provided but less than half of them via the ballot.

Date of next year's race is 22 April. Good luck!

Black Marathon Day

stats of the week: run 56km
London Marathon result: 3:57:13

I finished my 32nd marathon and 12th London. That's all to notice. It was the worst race I ever did. Don't ask me why. I don't know. I think it was just my personal black marathon day.

I started the race highly determined but had to recognise first problems after only 10km. Serious problems occurred after 25km and soon I had to stop aside to vomit. However, I never thought about giving up and walked most of the remaining miles while I anxiously watched fellow runners dropping down to the tarmac. That's how I looked during the final stage:


Nevertheless I performed a smile having received the medal.


B did far better and finished her fastest marathon for five years! She made up for my desaster.


She received her well earned congratulations by Emmanuel Mutai (KEN), winner 2011 and course record holder.