I have been a very lazy blogger again. In my defense I have however been a very diligent runner.
September/Oktober were the most intensive running and racing time of my life. I started running more seriously (meaning more than once a month) at the end of 2012. I was once a gain trying to quit smoking and needed some sports as balance for my long days in front of a computer. This year it felt like the big payoff. I have run without illness or injury all year and have been constantly training (running 3-4 times a week). I ran my first marathon last year and had decided to concentrate on half marathons this year.
13th September 2015 Great North Run Newcastle – Gateshead – Southshields
My brother Paddy and me came up with the idea of running the Great North sometime around Christmas last year. I can’t remember if we were drunk, but we feltlike facing a sporty challenge together ( Paddy prefers cycling to running but ran the GNR in 2010). WE also managed to tempt our little sister and thus the Rosenrunners were born, as we fondly call each other.
I have run 12 races in my running career up to now, but honestly nothing compares to the Great North Run. For one it’s the biggest Half Marathon of Europe with about 55.000 participants. It was a very sunny day and thousands of Geordies and Mackems ahad come out to cheer the the runners along. It is more like a gigantic festivals with at least 13 bands next to the race course, people applauding you on every step of the way, handing you jellybeans, popsicles, water and yes, beer (drinkers with a running problem). It made me smile all the way. It does help you tremendously . I had a slight cold the few days before, so I did not feel in perfect shape, but the crowds carried me through. Alsoas a fundraiser for MIND mad me feel obligated to give my best. Thanks again to everyone who donated for my cause.
The course was a lot more hilly than I had anticipated and not the easiest half marathon to run. Just before the last kilometer you come over a hill and see the sea for the first time. Me as a mountain boy from Bavaria found that very moving and it gave me an extra boost for the last part, with tears in my eyes.
I finished the race at 1:44:44, a new personal best and better than my goal of 1:45.00. I felt very happy . Paddy and Meriel also ran their personal bests, so a lot of points were drunken that day to celebrate.
20th September Tegernseelauf Tegernsee
After travelling back home to Munich i didn’t train a lot during the following week, preferring to rest my bones and getting rid of the leftovers of the cold. I did run a slow 8k trainings round just to remind my body that there is a race coming up, but felt rather tired and exhausted on race day.
The Tegernseelauf was the first race I had ever participated back in 2013 and after missing it last year (I ran the Achenseelauf instead) I was eager to return and see how my running had improved over the last two years. The weather was perfect with temperatures around 12 celsius and a short burst of light rain in the last third to cool one of slightly.
Compared to GNR there were hardly any crowds to cheer you on, so this time I was listening to music via my iphpne. I got some odd looks while singing „Sunshine on Leith“ at the top of my voice to keep me motivated, but who cares. After km 5 I knew this was a good day for running and I managed to run without a pee break (as opposed to the two in Newcastle).
I finished 6 minutes faster at 1:38:40. Quite an improvement over one week. I felt exhilarated. In the finishing area even the sun popped up for a second. I downed a quick beer with a mate I had met there and went my way feeling like a winner.
11th October 2015 Halfmarathon Munich
Having run the Munich marathon last year, I decided to return this year since it was the 30th anniversary. It has been a half marathon year, so I went for that distance. I didn’t expect any record as I had already done my personal best twice this year and decided to take it easy.
Alas ambition took hold of me.. I had run a 4:43/km pace at Tegernsee and figured if I run a $:30 in Munich during the first 10k I could take things easier during the second half and maybe still run a new record. At km11 I was still running 4:30 and feeling fine so I went for it.
The crowd was pretty sad. Honestly I had expected more from my hometown. Come on, Munich, it’s a race with over 20.000 people and cheering is the energy every runner needs. But mostly glum faces staring at you with big eyes. At one point on the Marienplatz (the main square in Munich) I even shouted at the crowds to cheer a little. Imagine that.. the runner having to support the crowds. What a disgrace.
Anyway, I didn’t care and ran like hell. The highlight was running over the Königsplatz, one of the large squares built by King Ludwig I. with Greek style buildings and pillars. Later that day there was a concert, with artists thanking the fine folk of Munich for their effort in supporting the refugee waves from Syria. I caught a glimpse of local heros Sportfreunde Stiller doing soundcheck while running past the stage.
Running into the Munich Olympic Stadium is an epic feeling. Probably the main reason I returned to run in Munich again (it certainly wasn’t for the cheering crowds). As the Olympic park is my main training turf it felt like running into my living room.
I couldn’t believe my time when I read 1:35:20. Another 3 minutes faster than Tegernsee and a total improvement of 17 minutes compared to my first half marathon that year in March. Vince, ,y life and my mum where there to welcome me and I felt like a right smug hero.
So what’s are the goals for next years? 1:30:00, dunno… but it’s an addiction., specially when good results keep popping up.
Anyways, enough of running for the time being. I promise my next few blogs will be about vfx, movies, comics, photography. Anything but running 🙂
