Week 1 - post City 2 Surf

I gave Ben a day to recover from his C2S run but Tuesday morning we were out there again doing our rounds in Centennial Park. We also got cards for the SFS gym which is very close from Ben's home, so he will be able to go on a bike or stepper during the day and build up his strength and endurance. This weekend we covered some sections of the Marathon Route and covered each day 18 km in 2 hours. I must have pushed Ben a bit too far today as he was completely exhausted at the end of it. But we both know that the hard work and suffering now will pay off in 4 weeks time and make the long 42 km a lot easier.
Next week will be a though one - training everyday with a big weekend ahead.
Happy Feet

City 2 Surf 2011 - done!

Well, first test passed with flying colors! I can not remember a C2S were it rained prior the start. Ben and I managed to get to the start and kept as dry as possible wearing some old clothes and a rubbish bag over it. After meeting up with the other Achilles members prior the start preparing our shirts with the appropriate signs we managed to get ourselves into a pretty good starting position about 200m ahead of the other 'green' runners. With the 2nd gun at 8.10am we were able to start running down Williams Street straight away as the 'red' group already has disappeared in the Edgecliff Tunnel and the thousands of 'green' runners were behind us only slowly overtaking us half way down William Street. This was perfect start for us. The other smart decision was to carry our own water bottles so we never had to stop at the drinking tables and kept running non-stop from the city to the beach. A big thanks to Rael, who re-filled Ben's bottles from times to times! So Ben and I managed to get to Bondi in a stellar 86min. An improvement for Ben from last years time of over 1 min per km! Great job! So now it is back to gym and training runs to get ready for the big one - Sydney Marathon! It is Ben's dream to finish the real thing and helping raising needed funds for The Fred Hollows Foundation. I am confident that with some extra efforts in the next couple of weeks we will finish at the Opera House on Sunday, 18th September. Happy Feet and Congratulations to all C2F finisher!

It has been a while

A few weeks of settling back in - finding a new job and a new home, I am now back in full swing running with Ben (my blind running partner) training hard for the Sydney Marathon. After last years 1/2 marathon and a successful 100km Oxfam Trail Walk, Ben is keen to go the full monty! For sure we both have some work to do, as both of us have been a bit slack the last 6 months and we have now just a bit over 6 weeks to get ready. We currently do our rounds in the Centennial Park on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 7 and 8 plus have some longer runs on the weekend. Ben is also joining a gym so he can get on bike or treadmill and clock up some more miles. With the great weather we enjoy currently in Sydney we will of course spend as much time as possible outside along the beaches and coast.

First run back home

After 2 days and 1200km of drive from Brisbane I was ready to move my legs. It was not a big one - 7 odd km but was great to jog around the bay and enjoy the views, water, sunshine. Good to be back.
Just realised that only 80 days to go before the Sydney Marathon, so better get cracking. So, hopefully I find soon a home to live and then I can get set for regular training again. Plan is for Ben and me to start serious training next week to be as well prepared as possible to achieve Ben's dream to finish his first full marathon in September.
Happy feet

Coming home

I am looking forward to returning home to Sydney and start my regular training runs with my running buddy Ben again. It has been too long and Brisbane was not too good for me training or running wise...
After 7 months in Brisbane, where Uli and I never found really our feet or felt at home we are moving back. I know that Ben is already looking forward to it and to make sure we get out and about during the cooler winter months we made the commitment to run the Sydney Marathon in September and start fundraising for The Fred Hollows Foundation as soon as possible. Looking forward to catching up with all of you back in Sydney soon
Happy Feet

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