Another medal collected

stats of the week: run 31km, cycled 120km, gym 2h

Planned was a longish weekend of a bit of easy cycling on Majorca but shortly after having arrived I was confronted with the fact that there is the traditional Palma Half Marathon taking place on Sunday. As I had to do some training anyway the decision was easy. I had to do this race but stay to a calm pace of maybe 2 hours for the 21.1km.

It was a sunny and windy morning and no surprise my run ended up slightly faster than planned. I finished 1:50:06 after a decent painfree run along the promenade avenue below Palma Cathedral.

Painful success

stats of the week: run 40km, gym 3h

It was a week of tapering down for Sunday's Sylt run, a flat race of 33.3K along Germany's most fashionable island. Due to the strong north westerly wind it turned out to be the toughest of my 7 appearings here.

documented veterans

Adding to the conditions I failed to manage my food intake properly during the race. The result was that I was nearly forced to walk after 25K. Some fruit sugar rescued me and enabled me to get to the finish rather in style. The result was still presentable: 2:56:26 h was exactly the time I could expect and by placed 8th I reached my target to finish within the top ten of my age group.

On the downside part is the multitude of pain I suffered during the second half of the race. Not just several muscles but both knees hurt a lot and made me doubt that a good season can follow.

Travelling North

stats of the week: run 52km, cycled 50km, gym 2h

It was a decent week of training with one interval session and a longish run of 21K. However, it ended by coming up another light injury with hurting adductors. Anyway, this week is planned to taper off for Sunday's race on Germany's most fancy island Sylt. I just hope to be painfree until end of the week.

After a week of glorious sunshine weatherforecast for Sunday is rather gruelling. Rain and very strong winds! Let's wait and see - and run.

To be honest: I don't like the island but I love the race. It's already my 7th time.

Back on home track

stats of the week: run 65km, gym 1.5h
stats of the previous week: run 37km

Back on track, with the cutback that the marathon is missing in the schedule.
To make up for this I went for a 30K long jog today. Rather disappointed about my performance but I put the blame on the climate change: it's 25°c colder in old Germany.

I'm now curious about getting fit for the 33K Sylt run within 2 weeks. My declared target is to finish top ten of the 42 runners in my age group. Too optimistic?

Easy cross training: Paddling on Sunday River in South Africa
(no crocs, no hippos)

Lost in the heat

stats of the week: run 8km

You can imagine I'm not happy to report that I got ill the day before the marathon. There was no chance even to think about running. The unbelievable heat in Cape Town struck me down.
I think my clever body found a way to convince me not to start. I won't have survived it without major consequences.

At least I recovered so far that I could enjoy the Freshlyground concert in Kirstenbosch. Great venue, great music.

Running to Concert

stats of the week: run 50km, indoor cycling 1h, gym 3h

It was the 3rd consecutive week of 50+ km running. But will 2 long runs of 25 km be enough to prepare for next Sunday's marathon? Will I be able to earn my 3rd South African medal after these two?

Weather forecast promises 33°c for Sunday. However, I don't mind as start is at 5.15 am, so I hope to have finished at 9.30 in the morning. Needed to make plans for the rest of the day! Found the Kirstenbosch summer concert by Freshlyground and immediately booked.

Time lost, mileage missing

stats of the week: run 55km, indoor cycling 1h, gym 3h

I'm dreaming of South African summer already with just one week until leaving German winter.

Expanded the long run to 25K last Sunday without problems but causing big exhaustion. In fact at least one week of proper training is missing to put in a necessary 30+K run. However, I will try this next Sunday. Usually this would come too late to recover in time for the race. As the race comes as training, too, I don't mind.