Not tired of New York

stats of the week: run 46 km, gym 1.5 h

With the help of some walking - 3 min every 30 min - I managed to complete a 25 K jog. It will need most of my running routine to finish in Central Park next Sunday. I reckon I will be close to 5 hours if I reach the line after 42 K. That will be late in the afternoon, my start is at 10.55 am, so finish will be around 4 pm. I will have to think about an eating plan to get through this long day without a proper meal.

However I am looking forward to being in New York once again, my 12th NYC marathon and my 16th visit of this event with interAir.

Recovery week and end of french season

stats of the week: run 21 km, cycled 55 km, hiked 16 km

The recovery week gave time for a long planned hike along Montagne de Bluye, a more than 1000m high ridge above our village. A day of pure enjoyment as we were once more accompanied by our holiday dog Lucha. 

And I got back to sort of proper running with a 10K sub 60 min. Hope again to somewhat finish the marathon in less than 2 weeks.

The view from the ridge to Mollans-sur-Ouvèze

Top of Montagne de Bluye

The climbers' rocks above Mollans

Another Setback

stats of the week: run 48 km, cycled 106 km, gym 3 h

I very much looked forward to run the half marathon in the Camargue. Glorious landscape, a totally flat route. So I hoped to jog easily not much more than 2 hours. Then it turned out to be kind of a hell. It was hot, the sun shined from above and from the ground as the white sand and the white salt and salines reflected the light. After a couple of kilometers my shirt was dripping wet. I kept to my planned pace until 10 K, but then the route turned to the beach into deep sand for 500 meters. From then on it was a nightmare. I could only switch between walking and slow running. It was now only a fight to reach the finish. Another disappointment after a fairly good week of training. 

However, my mood improved after I noticed the result list. At 2:11 h I was still fastest of my age group and more than half of the runners were still behind me. Not as bad as I felt. Now I urgently have to recover for a final long run before New York.

Photo: Start and finish took place in the middle of the bullfighting arena at Saline de Giraud

Disappointing result

stats of the week: run 28 km, cycled 51 km, hiked 10 km, gym 1.5 h
stats of the previous week: run 15 km, cycled 266 km, gym 3 h

The Gran Fondo Luberon was a glorious sunny day with 115 km of cycling through a beautiful landscape. I was happy with my performance as long as I noticed the result list. With an average speed of 21.6 km/h on this hilly course with 1,600 meters of ascent I thought I had done well. But I ended up as last one in my age group and with just 25 of the 562 finishers behind me (one of them my wife!). 

However, it was still a great day and now I switch my focus to running and look forward to  run a half marathon at the Grand Raid Camargue next weekend.

GF Luberon scenes: