Morning Run

Nice run today in the morning, a bit foggy, approx. 8 degrees Celsius, sun a bit shining, no wind! Lovely! As I am still thinking about how to go on (actually I have decided to go on but still have some time for the real planning) I don't care about the current runs too much, just easy-going ;-) Moreover, I "had to" watch the Frankfurt Marathon at television...

Besides, here is the weather forecast for the upcoming week. Seems that we won't have any snow yet ;-)


Stats:
Distance: 8k
Time: 0:40

Ambition

"If you want to become the best runner you can be, START NOW. Don't spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it."

(Priscilla Welch)

That is from one of the best female masters runner ever. I found it as headline of Alison's blog. I just can agree 100% (or more). I will stick to it! I will prove it!

Marathon, Marathon, Marathon

So many marathons... On Sunday the Frankfurt City Marathon will be held. Actually, my first two marathons (in 1999 and 2000) I ran in Frankfurt. It's not far, it's a flat course, not to crowded (approx. 9.000 runners) but it's not cheap ;-) And since last year it's the only marathon in Germany where the finish line is inside a building ("the fair hall") on a red curstain!!!! I won't run but maybe I can go there for watching.

Besides, today I have registered for the Mainz City Marathon. Actually the 4th time in a row, it will be held on May, 8th but you have to register now as they intend to close registry by the coming weekend. They have a limit of around 6.000 runners and everybody from here likes to run there. Actually I was mostly struggling with that marathon, actually it's a nice city course with similar two laps but in 2002 and 2003 it was such hot weather, puh. But I steadily improved my times there: 3:11, 2:59, 2:56. Maybe I give it a 4th improvement try, haha...

A Plan is a MUST

And once again a day w/o running. Oh dear, actually I am pretty busy (who's not?) with work and family, off course, that's not an excuse. But in fact, as posted earlier, I am still thinking about how to go on. So, I don't care too much about my current "laziness". I will come back for sure, I am actually still to ambitious to quit ;-)
During the last days I've read some pretty interesting and inspiring posts like the big plan from Andrew and from Alison who have both put a lot of thoughts on "paper". Big inspirations! Read it, it's worth. - And one thing you will understand from them: A Plan is a MUST (and it cannot be ambitious enough!).

Quick Lunch

Had a big presentation today from 10 to 12:30, actually it was just the "dress rehearsal" for tomorrow morning when colleagues from Spain, Ireland, and Mexico will attend but anyway, the point is, after the session everybody was pretty eager to get as fast as possible to the canteen for lunch. My colleagues waited a second for me just to hear "Sorry, don't go for lunch ;-)". Have you ever seen these faces? Something like "Oh, this poor guy will once again go out for a run!" ;-)
AND IT WAS JUST A NICE RUN, not easy as I still feel this small hill&speed workout from Saturday in my legs but the current weather is just unbelievable. I wear shorts and a T!!!!! The weatherman just says "To warm for the season". Nearly 20 degrees C, no rain, bit windy, yeah, I LOVE IT. Unfortunately nobody wanted to join me...

Stats:
Distance: 10k
Time: 0:52:30

Hill & Speed

After weeks of "just" running I felt that good in my run today that I thought it would be the time for some "training". So, I headed out today in the morning on my usual course through the nearby forest but did some hill speedwork and one tempo run. Actually, it was in total just 12mins+ but, man, was I exhausted. I am not at all used to that any more, puh. Anyway, I liked it!

Stats:
Distance: 12k
Time: 0:58:30

3*2mins uphill
1.9k tempo (6:35)

Yours truly 50k 2005

Do you know Seppo?

Marathon 2005

As said in my previous post, I thought about how to continue with running in 2005. My problem is always that I am just thinking too much about races and just browsing the race calendar instead of real thinking about my training. And in fact if I am thinking about my training, I am always stuck with mileage questions, puh. I really admire Mark, he's striving for the complete runner with all his gym work etc. I swear I will also try to do so!!!! But first, my (longer) races for the next months:

27-Nov : Arolsen Marathon --> Hopefully a nice season closure
20-Jan : 50k in Rodgau --> Preparation
13-Mar : Bienwald Marathon --> Highlight!

System Crash

I really "love" this work! It's pretty unpredictable in the morning what the rest of the day will "do to you". Today I was much tooo lazy to run right in the morning when I arrived at work, so I fought the whole morning with myself if I should go for lunch or for a run, puh, that's really very often a pretty hard decision to take! Anyway, at 10 something all network connections broke down, no system available anymore and I really needed these connections that today for my work. But never blame any others and just go out for a short run, yeah, perfect weather and feeling really good!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was so great. And best thing, afterwards systems were still down, so, going for lunch: Fish and rice assian style, not too bad ;-) Besides, during the run today I was thinking about next goals, puh...

Stats:
Distance: 12k
Time: 1:01

Ok

Okay, I ran again but I still don't intend to race seriously again this year ;-)
Just a short run: One hour at work, RUN, some more hours at work...

Stats:
Distance: 10k
Time: 0:51

No limits

Inspiration needed? Just shot on my way from Frankfurt to Barcelona some days ago.

Over and out

I didn't achieve my goal, off course, how could I break my PB (1:20:30) over half marathon with nearly no training??? Anyway, I am bit proud that I started and that I finished in a still good time (my 2nd best ever). I really wanted to run that race, it's one of the few races which are 100% flat and on asphalt in my area. On the other side, it's not having one meter in the forest, and we paid for it, actually it was such windy and I hate wind! This can cost so much energy.
Over and out... I am really thinking to give me a break from running for the rest of the year. Actually there are plenty of other things to do and especially at work I will be pretty busy until January. Maybe I will focus on the first quarter of 2005 to achieve a new level in marathon.

Stats:
Location: Gießen-Wieseckaue
Distance: 21.1k
Time: 1:22:21
Ranking: 9/223 (overall)

Make my day

It's always the same and so "easy", you just have to convince yourself that you should go for a run right before work. Forget all the things you still have to do, which are overdue or... Just run and it's always such an isnpiring and motivating thing for the rest of the day! I love it. These 50 minutes MAKE MY DAY. Especially with such perfect weather and a lovely sun rise!