Another setback

stats of the week: zwift cycled 52 km, walked 22 km, gym 3 h
stats of the previous week: run 21 km, zwift cycled 41 km, gym 3 h

My motivation to post has been quite low since the new year didn’t start as I had hoped. After completing the New Year's Eve 5K race, my meniscus flared up again, forcing me to stop running. I underwent a series of five hyaluron injections, which may help with the cartilage issue but unfortunately won’t address the meniscus problem.

With less than two months to go until the Lisbon Half Marathon, the trip is already booked, and we plan to travel regardless of whether running will be possible. Fingers are still crossed - I plan to ease back into light jogging next week.

Lazy week

stats of the week: run 4 km, Zwift cycled 22 km, gym 3 h

With some recovery from the Christmas Run and a weekend journey to Berlin this week was somewhat low level in question of sports. At least we walked a lot around Berlin visiting several Christmas markets, Charlottenburg Castle and the Jewish Museum. Looking at my running performance it is still kind of breathless while jogging at low pace.

Christmas step forward

stats of the week: run 15 km, zwift cycled 21 km, gym 3 h

Not surprisingly I could not resist to run the local 5K christmas run. I managed to finish it without walking in between so it was a step forward. The pace of 5:39 min/K was okay so far but I reached my limits. So there are doubts I will find back to pre-surgery performance.  However, I will be happy if I am able to complete longish distances without knee problems in the oncoming weeks.

Photo: I was the only runner in my age group but 82-year-old fellow runner Siggi was forced to join my group so I felt a duty to let him cross the line first.

Further improvement

stats of the week: run 10 km, zwift cycled 54 km, gym 3 h
stats of the previous week: run 10 km, zwift cycled 42 km, gym 3 h

I developed the cautious jogging workouts to a switch of 100m of walking with 400m of running. I was surprised how I lost the feeling for pace. The short stretches of running turned out to be way too fast I had to notice after looking at the Garmin stats. 

As I am now able to run 5K within 31 minutes I decided to take part at the local Christmas Run next Sunday. Just to be part of the event and enjoy the day.

This one is very long ago:

A cautious start towards a comeback

stats of the week: Zwift cycled 53 km, walked 15 km, gym 1.5 h

Sessions with the physio continue and I added lymphatic drainages to elimate the last swelling inside the knee. It worked and now the joint feels better than ever since the surgery. So I tried some very easy jogging today, 300 meters of walking followed by 200 meters of running, this for 4K. It's a start at least and I hope to repeat this session every 3rd day and cautiously increase it.

I also switched to real workouts with Zwift. Not too strenous, I have not exceeded 120 Watt so far. 

New York watching, not running

stats of the week: cycled 112 km, walked quite a lot
stats of the previous week: walked even more
the weeks before: waiting for improvement

A year ago I planned to run my final New York City marathon this November. Now I am okay that I failed to get an entry. I am not able to run anyway. But I still enjoyed the big city in perfect weather for the whole of marathon weekend.

My favorite place in Manhattan is Washington Square.

Macy's display "give love" and what they mean is "give money".

From Miami South Beach I made it to the lighthouse of Key Biscaine by bike. A relaxing extension of the interair New York weekend.

The view from the causeway to Key Biscaine back to Miami City.

South Beach

The scene at Ocean Drive, Miami South beach.

The leading ladies at mile 14 in Queens.

Former European 10,000m champion Jan Fitschen of Germany, excited to see his interair group at mile 14. 

It was my 17th journey to the New York Marathon, thereof 12 I was happy to run myself. Now at the age 71, not just because of the new so called President, I have decided to call it a life and say Good Bye to the USA. 

Slight and slow improvement

stats of the week: cycled 109 km, walked 23 km, gym 4 h

Our final days in France saw us cycling still in the sunshine and we enjoyed the Gorge de la Nesque once again. Tourist season is over now. The local bar has closed for their yearly holidays, also our beloved Pizzeria at Vaison is closed. Nights are cold and heating the house is essential. Time to leave for Germany. 

Nearly 8 weeks since the knee operation and for the first time I tried some easy jogging. Every 400m of walking I let follow 100m of jogging for 5K. At least a start of a long way to a comeback.