London Race Day

stats of the week: run 60km, gym 2 h
London Marathon result: 4:04:36 h

Race director Hugh Brasher called it an incredible day and that's what is was. A record field of more 39,000 runners, Kipchoge winning close to a world record, on the way clocking a 30K world record. A dramatic scene when three leading women fell heavily to the ground after 23 miles with Jemima Sumgong rebounding strongly to win the final sprint over defending champion Tigist Tufa.

My own race developed much better than expected. Starting cautiously I could hold up the pace to 35K before I had to have a short rest after 38K and then I was able to enjoy the final two miles and finish with a smile.

With worried thoughts I passed a scene where a runner obviously got reanimated. On Monday I had to learn that David Seath, 31, shortly later passed away in hospital. If this kind of dissolution would happen to me at 63+ I would call it a life fulfilling end. R.I.P. Dave, you were far too young. The charity Dave was running for is Help for Heroes.
Visit his Justgiving donation page.

Tough times waiting

stats of the week: run 63km, gym 4h
stats of the previous week: run 28km, cycled 36km, gym 4h

7 days to go to London!

That's all what I could do. Following the Berlin Half Marathon ironically the non-operated knee was worse than the repaired one and forced me to reduce the mileage. Finally and overall I put in three 20K-runs and one 28K-run in the weeks counting down to London.
This should get me to the finish number 17. I know the final 10K are going to be very tough. But I am used to that.

Did you know that there is a Facebook tracking now available that posts your start, half time and finish in time in London? Register

Easy running 5K into Berlin Half Marathon

Sand work pays

stats of the week: run 35km, cycled 150km, gym 2h
half marathon result: 1:47:28

Running on the sandy paths of Lanzarote paid in Berlin. No muscle soreness after running the half marathon at a speed I never trained.

I cautiously started my race with a pace adjusted for a finish sub 1:50 h. First and second 5km had exactly the same time of 25:38. Happily I was able to increase the pace to 25:26 and 25:15 on the second half of the distance and finished smiling.

Two days later the meniscus complained and reminded me of being still cautious approaching April 24. I still have to do at least one long run of at least 25km. I hadn't done more before my last NYC marathon - and it worked.