Cycling Adventure

stats of 2 weeks: 700km slow cycling, run 25km

Cycling Cuba was more of an adventure than we expected. People even more friendly and helpful than hoped, vegetarian eating sometimes limited, roads very different, shops empty but guarded, accommodation very close to local way of living. Didn't smoke cigars, but had some cocktails ...

The come back now is almost pain free but London has to be tackled without long training runs. I have to admit I have never tried a marathon with such a bad preparation.

Pain free day

stats of the week: run 20km, indoor cylcing 2.5h, gym 2h

After more than 2 weeks today was the first day without tendon pain. That let's hope. Even more after I extended the treadmill session to 30min and 5K today. During the week I cautiously did just 1-h-triathlon workouts of a combination of crosstrainer, bike and treadmill. I've to admit that I returned to taking a bit of diclofenac after my sado maso physio diagnosed a light Inflammation.

Alas the Achilles tendon will be given a break while I'm on a fortnight of touristic biking on Cuba. Looking forward to enjoy sunshine and heat ...

Bad Habit

stats of the week: gym 2h
stats of the previous week: run 19km, indoor cycling 1h, gym 2h

A significant set-back reminds me to be patient getting ready for the season. Problems with the Achilles tendon have to be taken serious. It is one the most stubborn injuries a runner can be confronted with.

It stroke me without advance warning after a double session of running and indoor cycling when I followed the group's stretching exercise. Usually I never do stretches after training because I believe the muscles need to relax after the workout's burden. To follow the cycling group's habit was a momentous mistake and forces me to rest for at least a fortnight. And it enabled my physiotherapist to plague me more than ever.

A first Quarter

stats of the week: run 54km, indoor cycling 1h, gym 4h

I just noticed that I didn't set up any training plan for London. Staying to weeks above 50km and two or three long runs of 30km should do it. A significantly higher mileage would risk problems with my old joints.

Did a 24km jog yesterday and can't imagine to run a distance four times as long. Just knowing that 20,000 people can do it every year keeps me calm.

Last Sunday's finish at Bertlich Half Marathon: There is still a sign of pleasure.

Good week, good race

stats of the week: run 51km, indoor cycling 1.5h, gym 3h

A good week of basic training ended by taking part in a local half marathon. I got into the race by cautious speed, conditions were perfect, so I was happy to realise a faster second half of the distance and finished after 1:43 h. That placed me 2nd in my new age group - once again I have to wait for my first runner's cup in Bertlich. Ironically I would have won if I still had been in my last year's age group.

Cautiously building up

stats of the week: run 52km, indoor cycling 1h, gym 3h

Hopefully back to regular running now - not yet trusting the silence. I'll know better next Sunday after a cautious half marathon race that'll be my longest run since October - and a first build up for more to come. It's only 9 weeks to go to London - thereof 2 weeks will be let for a non-running cycling holiday.

Painful success

stats of the week: run 40km, indoor cycling 2h, gym 2h

Thanks to repeated painful visits to the physiotherapist who enjoyed to torture my muscle fascias I came back to regular running this week.

Target now is to build up longer distances and get ready for London that indeed this time is just a milestone to the main challenge later here.