Too much for my legs and me

stats of the week: run 60 km, gym 1.5 h

It was a decent amount of mileage this week. Alas, it turned out to be too much. At the end of yesterday's long run of 28 km, I was so exhausted I could hardly move any more. The feeling afterwards was like I had run a full marathon distance!

Now the only option is to recover until next Sunday to deliver a proper half marathon in Berlin. However, after yesterday's performance I doubt that I will be fresh enough to have a good race.

Well, I have to admit this bad long run would not have been necessary to prepare for a half marathon. It was scheduled looking at the next target in 4 weeks: The London Marathon.

There's the Cup!

stats of the week: run 31km, gym 2h
stats of the previous week: run 56km, gym 1h

An old man's modest dream came true when I entered the stage to receive my cup for the 3rd place in my age group at the legendary Syltlauf. Well, there was a bit of luck as all of the 5 runners in the higher age group of M70 were faster than me. Nevertheless I was happy and content with my time of 3:09h for the 33.3km along the whole of the island from South to North. There is even hope for more as the final 3 km were the quickest of the whole distance.

Still on schedule, two weeks to go for Berlin Half Marathon.

Schedule completed

stats of the week: run 72 km, gym 1 h

7 weeks to go till London, with two more highlights on the way to it: the 33.3K Syltlauf and the very big Berlin Half Marathon.

I completed the scheduled mileage but still have no proper 30K run in the box. However, I am happy that I could get through 87 K in 8 days on Lanzarote. The volcanic Canarian Island is a perfect place for running. We did flat jogging along the endless promenades between Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen but you can also opt for trail routes along the coast or across the hills.

Private training camp

stats of the week: run 43 km
stats of the previous week: run 40 km, gym 3 h

Successfully finished the hilly 26 K race at slow speed. Only finishing matters and having a longish run in the box.

Now a private one-week running camp on Lanzarote has started. Well, I skipped the 30K jog but at least I did 2 runs in one day counting 24 K, what is not too bad. I try to complete an intensive week with a mileage of at least 80 K. Half is done so far.

Some impressions of Lanzarote and neighbour island La Graciosa. As we abandoned the bikes this time we get some new experiences of the island on foot.

Still waiting for better days

stats of the week: run 44 km

I skipped the local half marathon race because I am still not yet recovered from the long time cold. At least I was able to do some easy jogging, including a longish run of 17 km today after what I was so exhausted that I had a sleep on the sofa. It will take some more days until I can do some speed work again. Desperately I entered a 26K race for next Saturday.

Mad, rich, colourful, poor and disturbing: New Orleans

stats of the week: run 10 km
stats of the previous week: run 55 km

The New Orleans Rock'n'Roll Marathon is a rather small event with less than 2,000 runners while the half marathon counts around 8,000 participants. The race has few spectators but quite a lot of music and a perfect organisation. I worked as a supporter for a small group of German runners.

New Orleans is crazy and vibrant little town where you can enjoy top class jazz and any kind of great music after you strode over more homeless people living on the streets than I have ever seen in the US. NOLA is nothing short of Big Easy for many. It is a colourful South country place but also a magnet for those who struggle to survive. The main impressing is the experience of a disturbing society.

On the other hand it is a town of happiness and frequent road parades. This is Crewebacchus parade which is the kick-off of Mardi Gras weeks.

Weak week

stats of the week: run 43 km, gym 4 h

The week's mileage is on schedule, but the feeling is still weak. Tried to run treadmill intervals at 12 kmh but had to reduce to 11.5 kmh to finish six legs of 1 km.

Winter climate doesn't help to get rid of the cough. Now I hope to find warmer conditions in New Orleans and to do some long jogs in City Park wearing shorts. And Rock'n'Roll Marathon on Feb 10 will be fun to watch.
New Orleans Marathon