Memories of Fate

stats of the week: run 33km, cycled 95km, gym 3h, hill walking 9h

The tragedy of the Zugspitz Run is 5 years ago now but it is still present. Germany's highest top has become sort of a fate mountain for me. Whenever I climb it - as I do every year to care for the memory plate - I worry about anybody who accompanies me. This time C and I again chose the Höllental ascent and I was very relieved after we had easily crossed the glacier and made the crucial step over the crevasse to the ferrata. However, it was a very hot day and after 9 hours of walking and climbing the two of us were both exhausted.

Italian bits and bites

stats of the week: run 47km, cycled 196km

 

The Italian region of the Piemont is a perfect area for cycling. Narrow winding roads with very little traffic, tough shortish climbs, a green countryside with picturesque villages ... ice cream is very good and the wine is even best. So I had a week of proper training that let me feel a bit more confident for the oncoming events.

 

Less happy I was about the at least 150 mosquito bites I counted on my body ... 

Home Disaster

stats of the week: run 45km, cycled 90km, gym 3h

I knew it was a fault. But my sponsor provided me with a free start at the local 5K run. And I'm one the guys who can't say No. Moreover the race takes place alongside the lake where I train every week. So it's sort of a home match.

The result was more than disappointing. By far the weakest 5K time ever in 36 races. 23:12 is a shame. I knew that my lungs would be limited. But this kind of low performance is a disaster.

(photo: saw many females just from their back)

My happy part of L'etape du Tour

stats of the week before: run 18km, cycled 220km

The warnings were reasonable! This years 21st L'etape du Tour was the shortest ever, with just 128K. And 3,500 vertical meters didn't sound too challenging.

But the final climb to Annecy-Semnoz proved to be worth to be a stage of the Tour de France. It was really tough. However, the finisher rate was indeed the best I have seen in 5 years. 10,600 out of 11,400 made it to the finish line in time. So did I, but my performance was disappointing once more. Place 6,631 overall doesn't look too bad for a 60-year-old, but I got the impression I did far better in former years what is not a pleasant feeling. Anyway, I am still happy to be part of the event.

The professionals ride this stage on Saturday 20th July, the day before Paris.

Tired legs don't like cycling

stats of the week: run 18km, cycled 136km

Not surprisingly my this year's fifth Maratona dles Dolomites was my slowest one. On the 106K course summing up 3100 vertical meters I was 4 minutes behind 2009. The cold conditions were no excuse. My low performance obviously was induced by a lack of cycling training and sort of fatigue after two marathons and the ultra race just 4 weeks ago.

photo: On Passo Pordoi the day before the race

However I still hope to do better next Sunday when attending my 5th L'etape du Tour which will be the same as the 20th etape of the professional cyclists.