No training - no prize

After moving to Brisbane end of last year with the new job, flood and endless days of rain, it was hard to get regular training done. So as a result after 10 weeks I managed a dismal 200km or 20km a week. Pretty poor and the result was of course a shocking Twilight 1/2 marathon yesterday in Brisbane. Perfect conditions weather wise but miserable condition for me. Finished in my worst ever time of over 2 hours. I am just glad I did not have to guide anyone on this race as I probably would have been pulled along by a blind runner. So to get me on an even keel again the first thing I did last night is to sign up for the 50km Cook's Tour in May and the 100miles Glasshouse Mountains in September. That should get me back on track pretty soon. I will start running to and from work 2 - 3 times a week plus get the long runs in on the weekend. I hope by May I am back to my old form. Happy Feet

Running with 'new' eyes

I consider myself very luck to have had the possibility to address my vision problem and finally got rid of my glasses. I had Laser Lasik done 10 days ago and it feels like new chapter of life. Should have done this years ago....
I can't wait to start my training again and run without prescription glasses. Go for a run, finish at the beach (no option in Brisbane) and jump into the waves without the problem of where to go with my glasses was always a dream. Can't wait to get back to Sydney and do the beach run......
Uli and I settling in fine in Brisbane, which finally puts on a much better face with blue sky, sunshine and a cooling breeze most of the days. I am allowed to kick start my training next week again and my first goal is the Brisbane Twilight Run in March.
That 1/2 marathon will give me a good indication where I stand and than we can plan the year for some major adventures.
Gold Coast Marathon, Simpson Desert, Glasshouse Mountains, Brisbane Oxfam and much more is on my wish list.
I will try to continue my work with visually impaired runners here in Brisbane and have started to get in touch with Vision Australia and Guide Dog.
Happy Feet
Markus

Still alive

Sorry, has been a while - Happy New Year save training and accident free running to everyone in 2011.

Since we moved to Brisbane my running was very sporadic as the continuous rain was not encouraging to go out and run.



The recent flooding made it even harder to go out there, so will kick start my training later in the month and in the meantime try to help cleaning-up where I am needed and can help.

Save running and happy feet everyone

Adios Sydney, Hello BrisVegas

A week ago I did my last run with my running friends along the beaches in Sydney in nice sunshine and sea breeze.
On Monday I started my new job in Brisbane and first thing in the morning is going for my first jog along the river. Apart from the humidity, I was surprised how hilly Brisbane is and those hills back to my hotel almost killed me at the end.
Did two more runs this week and look forward to one or two slow discovery jogs around the city during the weekend. This city seems to be very sporty and loves cycling and running for sure. Another big difference is that daylight starts at 4.30am! So by 5.30am I am up and running and still have time before going to work - love it.
Have to find some good tracks and find out about local races to get my fitness up again for next years season. Not sure if I can stick to the plan for 2011 but for sure will get in one or two bigger races in.
Happy feet
Markus

Last runs in Sydney

Italian red wine, French soft cheeses and German bread is probably not the best food for a runner but hey, it was great to enjoy some nice food for a while. After Ben and my 1/2 marathon last month I enjoyed a rest doing absolutely nothing for 3 weeks....nice!
Last Sunday, finally with some warm sunshine and blue sky, I went out for a 12km jog for 80 min and sure enough I could feel those cheeses and custard tarts from the last 3 weeks...it was pretty slow and heavy going.
Anyway, the big news is that in the next couple of weeks I will have to run for the last time my favorite runs here in Sydney, soon Uli and I will pack our bags and move North to sunny Queensland. Warm Brisbane is waiting and the city seems to have a great running culture which I certainly will join as soon as we have found a place to live. Looking forward to finding new routes and places to run and train as well as meeting new runners and hopefully new supporters for The Fred Hollows Foundation too.
Happy feet
Markus

Running free weekends

I forgot how good those running free weekends can be....Italian Wine, French Soft Cheeses, German Bread and Swiss Chocolate...hmmmmm, how good is that! I just have to make sure I am not putting too much weight on before I put those running shoes on again.

Talking about running shoes - just cleaned-up my garage and got rid of some old shoes --> don't simply put them in the rubbish but help someone who loves to run and has no shoes. I passed them on to Viv at Shoes for Planet Earth

I met Viv at a pre-Comrades meeting in Sydney. Viv and her husband started a great project. I used to give my old running shoes to my South Africa friends every time they come to visit Sydney and they took them home for the poor locals. On my last visit in May I met their gardener who was still wearing my Asics runners from 2006!

Now it has even become easier to make some feet happy!

I plan to enjoy my break now from training and relax a bit - I know that in a few weeks time my itchy feet will be aching for new shoes and a run - until than, Happy Feet and Save Running

Markus

Finishing the year in style

It was almost too early today at 4.45am and waiting for a taxi which never turn-up was not the ideal start for a race day. Luckily a friend borrowed me her car so I was able to drive into town to catch the train to the start in time.

Ben & Ellis were already waiting for me and we had 15 minutes to get ready...race number on front-check, name tag on back-check, blind runner tag on back-check, race chip on foot-check, so we were all good to go. Moving down the hill to the start block of our group we ran into Marathon Man and Susie - a few minutes to chat and before we knew the gun went off and....nothing happened.

It took us another 8 minutes to start moving and crossing the start line. The start is always challenging for Ben and me, as the crowed is still too packed together and everyone is too excited and rushing forward.

Thanks to the excellent help of Ellis, who moved the slower runners in front of us two out of our way, we had literally a free run all the way to the finish.

I decided to carry two water bottle with me during the race so we don't have to stop at the drink station for water and could run through - saved certainly a couple of minutes. The excellent weather conditions and the flatter course were no doubt reason too that Ben finished his 2nd marathon in a new personal best time of 2 hrs 08 min. Ben is already dreaming of the full marathon now....maybe next year?

Running over the bridge is always a great experience and having a helicopter hovering just above our heads add to all the excitement. We cleared the bridge rather quickly and moved on towards Darling Harbour but this course had many surprised in stall - quite a few sharp and unexpected 180 degress U-turns we had to maneuver - not easy when we had to look out for all those cat-eyes (ankle twisters), checking which way to go avoiding having faster runners trying to run between us. Needless to say we managed all those challenges in style and Ben kept up his great form and pace almost to the end - we both hated that last bit along the wharf on Hickson Road, and this time we had to do it out to Pyrmont and back to Opera House - 4 very long and booooring kilometers. Ellis and I kept encouraging Ben to find that extra strength and together with the help of cheering, clapping, drumming and music playing spectators he dug deep and found some extra power to spring onto the forecourt of the Opera House and finishing the race in just a bit over two hours! Well done, Ben - as always an inspiration to many out there today.

Ben and I would love to say thank you to all our supporter next Friday, 24th September when we have a drink and chat before watching Michael Douglas in 'Wall Street 2' at the Ritz Cinema in Randwick.

Please join us for a night out from 7.30pm and support two great charities - The Fred Hollows Foundation and The Achilles Running Club. Your $25 will get you a drink and movie ticket and will help needlessly blind people see again and support people with disabilities.

We hope to see as many as possible of you Friday night.

Thanks and happy feet
Markus