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.

Prizes luring

stats of the week: run 60km, indoor cycling 1h, gym 4h

It was a week of tough training that unsurprisingly ended with tiredness. 3 weeks to go to Peninsula Marathon and the longest run is now extended to 18K. Plans are to complete two more longish runs and take the South African event as a further build up with a target time around 4:15h.

However, I just discovered that the age group winners are offered prize money! The three first M60+ will earn 750 Rand / 400 Rand / 250 Rand. Last year the 3rd man M60+ clocked 3:48:24, still a capable time for my old tired legs. Remember 100 Rand are worth 6.50 Euro (8.90 US$).

More holiday than training

stats of the completed week: run 27km, cycled 340km, gym 1h

Lanzarote weather was slighty disappointing due to strong winds most of the time and unusually frequent showers. Cycling wasn't always a pleasure, so training was limited.

photo: cloudy day above Haria

 

4 weeks left to Peninsula Marathon. Target is now to build up long runs. The marathon is planned as just a build up for later challenges, so I don't worry. However, weekly mileage should soon increase to more than 30 miles/50km.

Cycling away the strain

stats of the week so far: run 14km, cycled 210km, gym 1h
stats of the week before: run 9km, cycled 60km, gym 4h

The strained muscle in mind I started the yearly Lanzarote cycling week without big hopes.
Luckily the problem decreased after the first tour and now I was already able to cautiously take up running again.

It's my 4th time on the island but the first time I experience rain. We had 4 nice days of cycling before we preferred to take a rest day due to bad weather. However, one touristic day is not the worst you can do escpecially when visiting the local vinemaker and buying some very good bottles.

Mad way to change the year

stats of the week: run 36km, indoor cycling 50min, gym 3h

I know I must be mad. The strained muscle was just cured I took part in a shorter New Year's Eve race of 10K. The thigh was fine but my lung was still sick. Nearly struck down to the ground by cough attacks I finished the 10K after 46:23min giving more than I had. Afterwards I wondered that I survived.

Only 5 days later - on Sunday - I felt I should be part of the inaugural 13K run around the wee Phoenix lake at Dortmund, called New Year Run. I reasonably took it as sort of speed training and followed the 5min/K pacemaker for 3 laps before I increased the speed for the final 4th lap. Surprisingly fast enough to win my age group ... but the result was another strained muscle.