Peak Week

stats of the week: run 59km, cycled 40km, gym 3h

It was a rather tough week, with the 10K race last Sunday, another 5K race on Tuesday, hill training on Thursday and Saturday, followed by a long jog on Sunday.

The photo shows me cautiously running the 5K track race what were the local championships. I thought to win my age group easily without competitors but had to learn that there was a new face almost a minute faster than me. However I appreciate any additional motivation for future starts!

The very last Sub46

stats of the week: run 46km, cycled 168km, gym 5h

Another proper week of exercise,  with the weekend seeing me running a 10K race along the local lakeside. The performance was okay, the result of 45:59 min was probably the last sub 46 10K of my life, so it was kind of a historical day. The (alcohol free) beer was well earned. (thanks to KP for the photo)

It's now two weeks to go until what I call my penalty marathon. After the failure in London I think I have to run a decent marathon and there is a local opportunity at Gelsenkirchen.

Hill at the doorstep

stats of the week: run 45km, cycled 182km, gym 2h

It was a step forward to decent training. I integrated hill training coz last year it helped me to improve my overall fitness without too much strain for the joints. Just at my doorstep there is a steep alpine style path of around 60m altitude difference which I ran up six times. This should make my legs stronger what helps on longer distances as well.

Cautious Come Back

stats of the week: run 9km, cycled 53km, gym 4h

This is how I looked like after 4 hours of running with almost no drinking and eating ... (photo by Isaak Papadopolous)

A slow marathon has one advantage: Your muscles recover more quickly. So I could get back to some movements without major problems. However, I got the impression that my aging process has done another significant step forward. Training should be planned more cautious now and recovery time more regularly.

Worst ever

London Marathon finished: 4:16:31

It was my 15th London and my 39th overall. And it was the worst ever!

Already during the night and before the start I noticed something wrong. The first 10K felt good but soon I knew it was going to become a bad day. Half way at 1:55h looked still okay. After 27K I had to pay the loo a visit. Hoped everything would get better after that. It got worse. Started to walk before 30K. As I wasn't able to drink or eat anything I feared to get hypoglycemic and walked the final 2 miles all the way.

Disappointed Mo Farah said: "It was just a bad day in the office." So it was, what a shame for such a nice sunny day and the best London crowds ever.

My first thought was: "Better give up the long distances." First action at home was: Applying for the next marathon. 5 weeks to go. Things can't get worse now.

Achim and the London Lovers:
4 Runners - 50 Londons

Forced Rest

stats of the week: run 5km, cycled 51km, gym 5h

As you see it was a week of problems. Pain in the adductor muscles changed from leg to leg and back again and isn't yet gone. I do not really doubt that I will be able to run the marathon. But it is better to relax as long as possible. It gives some solace that by now running won't improve my performance anyway.

At least I will feel rested by Sunday. Good luck everybody running in London or anywhere else.

 

Torments of an old man

stats of the week: run 39km, cycled 25km, gym 2h

The half marathon in Dutch town Venlo, called Venloop, is certainly one of the most atmospheric races in Europe. Big enthusiastic crowds and lots of music escort about 7,000 runners along the route. It's an event not to be missed.

My own performance was inside expected limits. 1:42:10 is not a bad result. But the final Ks were such a torture to my body that I wonder how often he will accept this kind of torment until he knocks me down. My feeling is I have to be more cautious if I want to get older.