Failing to prepare for London

stats of the week: run 24 km, cycled 234 km
stats of the previous week: run 13 km, cycled 46 km
stats of the week before: run 14 km, cycled 124 km

Building up my mileage was interrupted by an infection that kept me resting for a week. Now I aim to do just one longish run of more than 20 km to get somewhat fit for the London Marathon. The plan is to finish the marathon by jogging 5 km each followed by a short rest and some minutes of walking. This hopefully will enable me to get to the finish line at sub 5 hours. Last year this worked fairly well.

This weekend's highlight was a bike tour from our French home at Mollans sur Ouvèze to the Ardèche Gorge and back the next day.

Success in Berlin

stats of the week: run 14 km, cycled 90 km, indoor cycled 30 km, treadmill walked 12 km
stats of the previous week: run 35 km

The Berlin Half Marathon was a success regarded my limited volume of training. Unexpectedly I was able to finish just sub 2 hours at 1:59:29. The final 3 km were a tough fight but I finished in style in front of a doctor who inspected my eyes and let me go on to receive my well earned medal. It was such a good experience to be part of real running event again.

Now the next countdown has already started: 5 weeks to London. I hope Boris Johnson will let us in.

Photo: Enjoying the final stretch to the finish line in Berlin.

Ready for Berlin

stats of the week: run 39 km, cycled 73 km

I was able to fulfil my schedule and increased my long run to 18 km. Quite happy about this. It nearly feels like at the time I was a real runner. Now I look forward to Sunday and running my 7th half marathon in Berlin and 60th half marathon overall.

I don't feel ready for a sub 2 hours but 2:05 should be possible if it isn't a bad day. Half an hour slower than in former years, that's life.

Farewell to Provence

stats of the week: run 29 km, cycled 110 km

I was able to extend the "long" run to 12 km what is sufficient at the time. I still hope to get to about 17 or 18 km to prepare for Berlin Halfmarathon in 2 weeks. Cycling has to stand back now and I reckon most of this year's cycling is done meanwhile. I will certainly sum up more than 6,000 cycling kilometers this year what makes still one my best cycling years ever although my performance was somewhat low.

Some more impressions of my number one cycling area.

Increasing Tiredness

stats of the week: run 26 km, cycled 134 km

I increased the running distance to a 10 K and was able to finish sub 58 min what makes a proper base to build up. However, the combination of frequent running and cycling results in increasing tiredness. I will have to cut down the workouts to cope with longer runs. Just 3 weeks to Berlin. I will be happy if I can build up the long run up to 16 K.

Col de Perty is the most beautifull pass in the area.

From blue Lavender to the white tower

stats of the week: run 27 km, cycled 190 km

A proper sports week with increased running and another ride up Mont Ventoux, taking the easy way up from Sault, however, the final 2 km are always really tough.

5 weeks to Berlin, 10 weeks to London. I hope to increase distances up to 18 km in time for Berlin.

The area around Sault is famous for its vast Lavender fields.

In high season the top of Ventoux is a crowded place.

Focus on running now

stats of the week: run 20 km, cycled 139 km

Focus is on running now as there are just 5 weeks to the Berlin Halfmarathon. I am happy with my beginner's course for my calf until now but there are still doubts that I will be able to finish 21 km. Current workouts sum up to 7 km so far. Running events seem to come back finally, signs are good that London will take place on 3rd Oct.

A new hobby is beaver watching down at our local river, the Ouvèze. Every evening our friend is on time at 8.15 pm for his evening meal across the river.