Together with Irina - 4 weeks to go

stats of the week: run 60km, gym 2 hrs

Just 4 weeks from today on. What means that only 3 weeks of proper training are left. Luckily I came back this week in spite of a mild cold.

My countdown is the same schedule as Irina Mikitenko's. Half marathon race on Easter Monday in Paderborn, Full marathon two weeks later in London. I look forward to comparing our performances on both events.

Setback

stats of the week: run 14km, gym 2hrs

As you see the week was a steep setback. After the enjoyable Syltlauf of 33km I suffered from a muscle problem and had to rest several days. In addition to that I caught a cold on the weekend when I went for a short trip to the German Alps and wasn't prepared to stand on a glacier for hours. After the Syltlauf every runner received a box of cough sweets. They're very appreciated now.

Diet race

stats of the week: run 53km

To spend the weekend on Germany's poshest North Sea island and in its ugliest coastal village was somewhat depressing as I had to stay on my own.

However - the 33.3K race was a personal success. Despite a noticable headwind and minor digesting problems I clocked 2:53:22 hrs. 3 minutes faster than last year and one minute faster than two years ago!

Really surprising: Due to my active stomach I drank only 0.4 liters of energy drink and gulped just half a portion of energy gel - and this diet made me able to increase the speed on the final 5K. No cramps, no blue lips at the finish.

Average pace was 5:12 min/K (8:23 min/mile) which would make a marathon in 3:39 hrs. May I dream of this?

Peak Week - 7 weeks to go

stats of the week: run 63km, indoor cycling 25km, gym 4hrs

After this week containing an interval speed session and a very long Sunday run
it 's now urgent time for a recovery week. I look forward to treating my legs and body with care for some days ... alas, the weekend awaits me with a non-published long race. I didn't intend to do it again but for some reasons there's no other choice by now. Nevertheless I'm quite sure I'll be enjoying it.

Days getting tougher - 8 weeks to go

stats of the week: run 48km, indoor cycling 25km, gym 3hrs

The week's program looks moderate but it was a rather tough one. Counting from Sunday to Saturday there were 71km of running: One long run, one hard interval session on the treadmill and a long hilly race.

It was my 4th start at Salzuflen. In former years I always ran the 34km distance but this time I didn't feel fit enough and finished after 3 laps and 26km like most of the runners did. At least I was able to finish 115th out of 470 what does sound fairly okay.

Cautious schedule - 9 weeks to go

stats of the week: run 45km, indoor cycling 1.5hrs, gym 4hrs
9 weeks to go until the London Marathon - high time to create a training schedule. Looking at the graph I already doubt that the mileage is big enough to make me really fit for the day. But I have to stay realistic. The schedule should enable me to get to the start line with the prospect of finishing. That's most important. Time Target is second.

If my body agrees I'll think about carefully upgrading the load.

full schedule

Painful and modest

stats of the week: run 29km, cycled 125km, gym 2hrs

With the weekend coming closer I suddenly decided to go for a longer run and opted for the half marathon distance at the notorious Bertlich road races. I have always pointed out that any route longer than 15km is a real torture in this place as you have to add a further lap on the always windy route.

However, it was a calm Sunday but rather freezing at -6°c and so it was the expected painful morning. While racing I realised that this was going to be my longest run since October. My legs agreed with a noticable statement during the final 5km.

I clocked a modest 1:45 hrs and was reminded of a lot of work to do until being fit for a marathon in 10 weeks.