3 weeks to go

stats of the week: run 18 km, walked 16 km, gym 3 h

Three weeks to go until London. The plan is to complete a fairly long 28 km run next Sunday, hopefully followed by another 15–20 km the weekend after. I’ve developed a particular routine at the gym consisting of 30 minutes on the cross trainer, 30 minutes on the bike, and a 5 km treadmill run, which allows me to build endurance without placing too much strain on my joints.

Meanwhile, The Guardian has revealed plans to expand the London Marathon from next year onwards: 50,000 runners on Saturday and another 50,000 on Sunday. I find it hard to imagine how such a two-day event could be organised. Just think of the number of volunteers required. And what about the Mini Marathon, which already sees around 15,000 young runners take part on the Saturday?

Nevertheless, the Mayor of London is reported to be in favour of the idea.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/mar/25/revealed-secret-plans-for-two-day-london-marathon-with-100000-runners

Unexpected Comeback

stats of the week: run 26 km, walked 35 km, gym 1.5 h
Prague Half result: 2:10:43 h

My performance at the Prague Superhalf Marathon was a lot better than I expected. I started the race cautiously but still reasonably fast. To my astonishment I was able to keep the pace of around 6 min/km for 16 km, with the last 2 being the fastest. Then I had to take some short walking breaks - Garmin documented walking for a bit more than 2 minutes during the final 5K. However I was happy to clock an average pace of 6:12 min/km what makes sort of a comeback, half a year after the spinal disc incident.

With 4 weeks to London I now hope to build up more endurance that will let me run significantly more than half the marathon distance. I set my goal to finish below 5 hours.

More longish distances done

stats of the week: run 38 km, gym 4 h

Now it's time to taper for Prague after a proper week with a record mileage since the incident. I was able to complete a continuous 15K with three very fit fellows (photo) and was happy with an average pace of 6:20 min/km. 3 days later I managed a 5 K at 5:55 speed and finally I escorted C on a 18 K walk-jog with a pace of 7:10 what by far would be fast enough to beat Prague's time limit of 3 hours for the half marathon. Anyway, I consulted last year's results and found 700 runners who took more than 3 hours to finish. The organisers don't  seem to be really strict. 

A glimpse of hope

stats of the week: run 28 km, gym 3 h

This week I managed a 5K in under 29 minutes, which marks a significant improvement on my previously rather modest performance. I also increased my longest run to 12 km, accompanying C and taking it cautiously with including several walking breaks. Nevertheless, it felt easy and comfortable for the first time since the incident.

I have also started another series of ten physiotherapy sessions. I am not entirely convinced they will make a decisive difference, but I am determined not to neglect anything that might help.

The plan now is to complete two slow 15 km runs before tapering for the half marathon in Prague. Two weeks to go.

Counted down to 50 days

stats of the week: run 21 km, hiked 20 km, gym 1.5 h

No news so far. Every time I feel some improvement, the next setback follows. For the first time, I experienced nerve pain while running and had to stop moving. Fortunately, after a short rest, I was able to complete another two kilometres.

While my performance level is slowly improving, doubts remain about whether I will be able to increase my mileage enough to be fit for the half and full marathon. To motivate myself, I designed and ordered a special shirt to wear while running in London.

Our plans for the spring in France are currently uncertain, as C’s best friend has become seriously ill and needs constant support. It may be that we spend April at home for the first time since Covid. I don’t mind, as being at home will probably give me a better chance to maintain a structured training routine.

Hiking instead of running

stats of the week: run 13 km, hiked 48 km, gym 1.5h

While still on La Palma, our main focus remained hiking, and any additional running would simply have been too much for our legs. We thoroughly enjoyed the island’s walks, although we had to refrain from tackling the more demanding routes as C was still taking antibiotics to treat her infection.

We can certainly imagine returning to La Palma one day, hopefully to complete the trails we had to forgo on this occasion. Unfortunately, we also missed the opportunity to admire the island’s famously clear night skies, as the final days of our stay were rather cloudy.

3 weeks now to Prague and urgent time to increase the distance to more than 10 km.

Photo: The new volcano who destroyed 10% of the island in 2021

A misty day on the volcano, but soon it cleared up

The pines were killed by Magma at their roots

Busy Santa Cruz harbour

Efforts on an island

stats of the week: run 18 km, walked 21 km, gym 2 h

We are spending a fortnight on the Canarian island of La Palma, a perfect destination for hiking. It is a volcanic and very hilly island; therefore, it is not easy to find a flat route on which to build up my running mileage. The promenade in Santa Cruz de La Palma is rather short, but running out and back makes up a reasonable distance.

My efforts so far, however, have been disappointing. Every step feels like torture. I am unable to maintain a pace of six minutes per kilometre and have to take walking breaks to recover, hardly the best prospect for completing a half marathon, let alone the full distance.

Photos: The new volcano Tajagoite has changed the islands landscape and destroyed many homes

At the southernmost point of La Palma salt is extracted from the ocean.