Johnny Cash – Country Trash

Article: “Basqing” with Florian Reichert (Zegama Skyrace)
Medium: Internet (featured on Skyrunning website)
Release: 05/2013
Country: Worldwide
Link: CLICK

Article: A quick chat with Michel Lanne (Pre-Zegama Skyrace)
Medium: Internet (featured on Skyrunning website)
Release: 05/2013
Country: Worldwide
Link: CLICK

Article: Cover-shot: Sebastian Kienle Pre-Ironman Hawaii 2012
Medium: Pyöräily+Triathlon
Release: 01/2013
Country: Finnland
Link: CLICK

Article: Hart aber Herzlich – Trail Running in Argentina

Newspaper: New York City Marathon – In den Schluchten einer Stadt
Medium: Heilbronner Stimme
Release: 29.10.2009
Country: Germany
Link: CLICK

Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities. Truth isn’t.
Mark Twain

Crash! Boom! Bang! There is an end to everything. I believed Sundays end will be the “Festhalle”. It came a bit quicker, awkwardly.

The termination of my nomadic running spell came pretty reckless and opened me the eyes on what had happened the former months. Eventually a wild wandering around the world and an irrational racing agenda did not pay off.

Habitually I was looking forward to run the competition. Every race is special but the marathon in Frankfurt would be the end of a lengthy year dedicated on nomadic lifestyle and running.

I just wanted to bang an ultimate road marathon. Experience the city of Frankfurt, meet some old friends and just do what I love to do. It just shouldn’t be the day for it last Sunday.

When I began the race in front of the “Festhalle” It all felt so easy and comfortable. The cold temperatures happened to be perfect for me. Maybe too picture-perfect? The positive sun and the icy air inflated a bit too much enthusiasm into my jetlagged and fatigued brain. I wanted to find my rhythm and a nice group. I was searching for my lately learned road-marathon-cruise-control as revealed in Santiago or Quito. I never found whatsoever.

The unbelievably deep field on the fast amateur front didn’t do me any favour, as I couldn’t judge in what way I was running. Nevertheless it is great and extremely motivating to see the class of the Frankfurt Marathon. Do yourself a favour and check the results. To solely run on your own on this course you need to be really fast.

I didn’t start defensively and paid for it. My belly, again, had a different idea and shortly after the 22k mark I had to vomit. I tried to go on but after I puked a second time running appeared dreadful to me. I jogged easy and checked if I could see my friend Seb. I thought he would pass by in a few minutes. He never came, at least not when I was waiting for him. When I saw a tram approaching I took the easy wait out and rode back to the finish area.

Now it is undoubtedly time to retune the system. I essentially ran through the 2011 and 2012 season without a break. The way I was roaming in South America was more less commanded by running. Races led my way through that continent. I never looked at a thoughtful or structured training regime, which I really appreciated. My days in the mountains and on the roads down there will be in my mind eternally. The opportunities and delight I got through this sport are immeasurable and I’m truly thankful for that. One of the beauties of running is that there are no shortcuts. The body only allows certain punishment. Now is the time to rest the body and the brain. No running until January. Reset the system for new goals in 2013.

I’m already full of motivation. The action has to wait though.

Tune of the day: ‪Tycho‪ – The Daydream

Certain off-road related writing and photography by myself in the newest TRAIL Magazin!

No steady blog updates is a good sign I guess. I was way too busy roaming Hawaii and time in front of the computer seemed to be wholly wasted.

After a great time around a fascinating and diverse Big Island we moved over to Los Angeles and then down to Newport Beach to run the “Whoo’s in El Moro 50k” in Crystal Cove State Park.

After a little warm-up jog on the first flat miles of the race and amusing chat with James Walsh I already felt the lack of recovery after severe IM Hawaii celebrations and Manua-Kea jogging plus travelling. Just right from the start it was pretty apparent that this would be a stretched 50-kilometer fight. The only optimistic thing for me was the weather. As the mist and fog not really cleared off during the morning of the race I just put the head down and tried to keep moving. Pretty sluggish moving I guess.

A race that long with worn-out legs and mindset is not really fun. Molly Richter and her team made the best to enjoy the course and the race as best as possible. Thanks for that and the tasty burgers afterwards.

As we tune in Backspin we hit the road towards San Francisco…

© Sally McRae

© Sally McRae

© Fabian Eberhard

© Fabian Eberhard

Since I knew I was going to Hawaii the existing FKT for Manua-Kea got my full attention. I don’t want to go into too much detail on the development of the current FKT as it is described on the official website.

Jorge Maravilla was the record holder and he is definitely not known as a slow runner. Anyway. Fabian and I craved to give the up-to-date time a proper shot.

The problem with this run is pretty evident. Most if the accommodation on the Big Island is at sea level. To run the Manua-Kea on the current route you have to start at the “Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station” of the National park, which is located at around 9,000-foot level on the Mauna Kea access road.

We began around mid-day and gradually made our way up the steep serpentines. Shortly after the 6,5 mile mark the altitude was too much for me. The dizziness was too crazy for me and I let Fabian go as he felt stronger. He pulled away quickly on the last paved part of the road. I met him just about 300 meters before the turnaround on the 14,000-foot summit of Mauna Kea.

As a good downhiller I thought I could catch him on the downhill part to finish the route with a new FKT together. Straight on the first part of the down-run I did not feel well. My back, still sore from a little surf crash earlier in the week, did not really loosen up and so it was a painful and long downhill.

I met Fabian after 3:06:something in the park lot of the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station. He did not look too good but had a huge smile in his face when pointing at his watch. 2:49:03 – new FKT for Mauna Kea. Well-done bro!

Pre-FKT Posing

Weapons of Choice – Brooks Pure Grit. You can’t do wrong!

Handmade Hydration Systems.

Top of the Pops.

Nearly as prominent, nearly as hectic and nearly as important as that other big race on the island – The Path 10k a week out of the Ironman World Championships has it all, well nearly.

We lined up with greats such as Uwe Richlik and Chris Legh. Up Alii Drive and back down. That’s it. All in melting heat. You have to love it.