Game over

stats of the week: run 15km, gym 5h
stats of the week before: run 32km, gym 5h

The underestimated minor knee problem turned out to become a major one. It feels like a damaged meniscus and running will not be possible for quite a number of weeks. I know several runners who had to retire from running due to meniscus problems. A constant fear once you have reached your sixties.

Therapy is cooling, diclofenac and rest, rest, rest. Should I post my weekly weight gain?

End-of-season running

stats of the week: run 43km, gym 3h

One should reckon season is over. But running season never is over. There are the local end-of-year races and the local rivals waiting. It's tough luck that I have developed a minor knee problem that restrains me from doing speed work. We'll see what is possible.

Slow, happy and soon back

stats of the week: run 23km, cycled 50km, gym 1h
stats of the week before: run 56km
result NYC marathon: 4:13:14 h

With only one longer run in the box I made a cautious attempt to run the New York City marathon. Plan was to finish around 4:15 h. So I took up a 6min/km pace. I was happy to keep up this speed without any problems until the ascent of the 5th avenue at km 36. At this point I had collected a buffer of two minutes that I lost during the final 4km when I had to walk shortly for 3 times. My finish time of 4:13:14 is an average pace of exactly 6:00min/km.

That's my nineth and slowest NYC marathon. Alas I have to face that I have never been as old as this time so I have to be satisfied with my performance. A pleasant experience is that my muscles and body coped with the burdon and I seem to be able to get back to normal exercise soon.