stats of the week: run 46km, indoor cycling 1h, gym 3h
stats of the week before: run 16km, gym 1h
During the week's workouts I got the impression that the cold had been cured largely. Running a race is a different thing I had to learn on Sunday.
After a speedy takeoff I was shaken by a series of cough attacks. Already at half of the 10K distance I was forced to slow down seriously until some energy turned back and let me finish satisfyingly after 46:13min. Fast enough to be placed 2nd in my age group. It was my 8th runner-up finish at this traditional event out of 32 starts but I still have never won it.
Older and wiser
stats of last week: run 33km, indoor cycled 1h, gym 3h
Was struck down by a bad cold this week and wisely decided not to go out for any workout. This behavior makes a difference to my earlier years when I wasn't able to abstain from sports for minor illness.
Disease never comes in handy but this time at least it doesn't keep me away from any event. So I don't complain although I won't get fit enough in time for the unavoidable New Year's Eve race.
Was struck down by a bad cold this week and wisely decided not to go out for any workout. This behavior makes a difference to my earlier years when I wasn't able to abstain from sports for minor illness.
Disease never comes in handy but this time at least it doesn't keep me away from any event. So I don't complain although I won't get fit enough in time for the unavoidable New Year's Eve race.
Body and Soul tired
New York City Marathon: 3:53:36
After two fast races I looked forward to running a sort of better NYC Marathon. My last sub 3:50 run dates back more than two years ago. So I started the race by a steady 8:20 min/mile pace and clocked 1:51:30 for the first half.
But already then my body and soul felt tired. The days in Manhattan were strenuous with too much trotting the pavements for about 10 miles per day. The travel group work let no time to relax. I reckon that all this led to an all over body and mind tiredness that obviously dispersed during the second half of the race. I lost 10 minutes while I stumbled the final 10K culminating in a thigh cramp 150 meters before the finish line. Eventually I wasn't unhappy by the result as it makes the end of a really successful sports year. Having completed six life decades one can be fortunate to be able to run 26 miles without more than minor pain. However, this time I was indeed proud to have run it until the end without walking.
After two fast races I looked forward to running a sort of better NYC Marathon. My last sub 3:50 run dates back more than two years ago. So I started the race by a steady 8:20 min/mile pace and clocked 1:51:30 for the first half.
But already then my body and soul felt tired. The days in Manhattan were strenuous with too much trotting the pavements for about 10 miles per day. The travel group work let no time to relax. I reckon that all this led to an all over body and mind tiredness that obviously dispersed during the second half of the race. I lost 10 minutes while I stumbled the final 10K culminating in a thigh cramp 150 meters before the finish line. Eventually I wasn't unhappy by the result as it makes the end of a really successful sports year. Having completed six life decades one can be fortunate to be able to run 26 miles without more than minor pain. However, this time I was indeed proud to have run it until the end without walking.
Toronto flat iron building
Old man flowering
stats of the week: run 38km, gym 4h
It looks like a low key sports week but I was forced to recover from post race muscle pain until I started a much loved long distance hill race in the Teutoburger Wald. I thought it'd make a good preparation for the NYC Marathon as it boasts 29km and 600 vertical meters with some really steep sections.
Disappointingly I had to walk three times (!) - more than ever before at this race. By the finish I clocked 3 min more than 2 years ago. Still fast enough to climb the podium for the very first time at such a big and renowned event. After 2:32 h I was 3rd of 33 age group runners and a proud old man being awarded with a potted flower.
By the way: If you ever need to rent a car on Majorca be aware that "Goldcar" is a dubios company not to be trusted. They charge extortionate petrol prices and will debit unjustified fees weeks after you have returned the car.
It looks like a low key sports week but I was forced to recover from post race muscle pain until I started a much loved long distance hill race in the Teutoburger Wald. I thought it'd make a good preparation for the NYC Marathon as it boasts 29km and 600 vertical meters with some really steep sections.
Disappointingly I had to walk three times (!) - more than ever before at this race. By the finish I clocked 3 min more than 2 years ago. Still fast enough to climb the podium for the very first time at such a big and renowned event. After 2:32 h I was 3rd of 33 age group runners and a proud old man being awarded with a potted flower.
By the way: If you ever need to rent a car on Majorca be aware that "Goldcar" is a dubios company not to be trusted. They charge extortionate petrol prices and will debit unjustified fees weeks after you have returned the car.
Still fit by the Alps
stats of 3 recent weeks: run 92km, cycled 380km, gym 4h
Recent weeks were far from a structured training. A hot and sunny week on Majorca let us keep to cycling the island's pretty hills and we had one day of extraordinarily enjoyable walking. The spectacular climb up Torrent de Pareis from Sa Calobra to Escorca was a memorable experience.
After these weeks with very little running I started today's local half marathon with big questions on my capabilities. Luckily I found the perfect pacemaker to follow for the whole distance. Finally he was tougher than me but I was very happy to finish after 1:38:51 which in fact was my age graded second best half marathon ever. The transalpine performance effect still seems to operate.
Recent weeks were far from a structured training. A hot and sunny week on Majorca let us keep to cycling the island's pretty hills and we had one day of extraordinarily enjoyable walking. The spectacular climb up Torrent de Pareis from Sa Calobra to Escorca was a memorable experience.
After these weeks with very little running I started today's local half marathon with big questions on my capabilities. Luckily I found the perfect pacemaker to follow for the whole distance. Finally he was tougher than me but I was very happy to finish after 1:38:51 which in fact was my age graded second best half marathon ever. The transalpine performance effect still seems to operate.
Lungs and legs recovered
stats of the week: run 37km, cycled 42km, gym 4h
To get back to faster moving and to test lungs and legs I spontaneously joined a local 10k race. The new course turned out to be a very hilly route with a steep road which had to be climbed five times. Not too much for alpine proved muscles!
Although I didn't do any speed training all summer I was able to run faster than at my last short race, a flat 5K 2 months ago. 45:45 min was better than expected. The conclusion for me is that I should stick to regular hill training as it seems to make me stronger.
photo: top of the hill. (copyright Heinz Schier HSR Fotografie)
To get back to faster moving and to test lungs and legs I spontaneously joined a local 10k race. The new course turned out to be a very hilly route with a steep road which had to be climbed five times. Not too much for alpine proved muscles!
Although I didn't do any speed training all summer I was able to run faster than at my last short race, a flat 5K 2 months ago. 45:45 min was better than expected. The conclusion for me is that I should stick to regular hill training as it seems to make me stronger.
photo: top of the hill. (copyright Heinz Schier HSR Fotografie)
Legs fit, mind empty
stats of the fortnight: Transalpine Run, 261km, 15,800 alt.m, 48:03 hrs
cycled 155km
German speaking readers might have followed the daily blog and noticed that we indeed finished the transalp race. A unique 8-day-experience that has proved that one can do more than one thought.
.jpg)
The following week was far less than relaxing with some hill walking and cycling up Jaufenpass, Timmelsjoch (Passo Rombo) and the Sella Ronda Bike Day. But this kind of activity can't cover that my motivation to do any more competitions in oncoming weeks is lower than low. My legs are still okay but my mind is exhausted.
cycled 155km
German speaking readers might have followed the daily blog and noticed that we indeed finished the transalp race. A unique 8-day-experience that has proved that one can do more than one thought.
.jpg)
The following week was far less than relaxing with some hill walking and cycling up Jaufenpass, Timmelsjoch (Passo Rombo) and the Sella Ronda Bike Day. But this kind of activity can't cover that my motivation to do any more competitions in oncoming weeks is lower than low. My legs are still okay but my mind is exhausted.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)