It feels good to be back running. No more eye on pool or gym opening times, no more cold lakes or wet and windy bike rides. The freedom of running training is back – finally.

Since 20 days i can maintain a usual running routine without huge pain. My physio, Mark Kenneally, got me back in the mix and i am able to maintain 2 runs a day between 20′ and 45′. My problem is still not 100% solved but it is getting better every day. I still have to stay patient.

For a change i had a training partner the last couple of days. I met up with Martin Fagan for some easy jogging in the evenings around Mullingar. After last weekends Great North Run he is back in Ireland to visit his parents. Good company and chat.

This one was for the Write-Off section.

One day after the Sandycove Island swim i entered the 5K swim that was held as part of the Camlough Lake Water Festival just beside Newry in Northern Ireland.

Camlough Lake (from Irish: Camloch meaning “crooked lake”) is just made for open water swimming. A beautiful scenery together with perfect water conditions. Not perfect for me this sunday.

After the Muckross Lake 5K i wanted to lower my PB over the distance. I failed pretty badly. Never got my head right and never found my rhythm. The rest was pure survival and frustration.

It was just not meant to be at this day.

Sandycove Island is a holy place for irish open water swimming.

No other area is a busier training ground for open water swimmers. The small island at the mouth of Ardkilly Creek on the south coast of Ireland is the hub of countless training miles for dozens of straight of gibraltar, lake zurich or channel swimmers.

Today the Cork Masters Swimming Club had the annual “Sandycove Island Challenge” in the calendar. Close to 300 swimmers lined up to take on the 1.800 meters around the magical island.

As i had not been out swimming since the Muckross Lake 5k i did not expect too much. The start hit me by surprise and i lost my googles when i jumped in the water. Lucky enough i could catch the googles and lost time by putting the gear back on.

Overall it was again a special experience to swim in such clean and challenging sea water. Tomorrow will be round two with the Camlough Lake 5k – a wet weekend!

A simple mail in my inbox can be so beautiful!

Hi Markus Mzungo

Your online registration for the Comrades Marathon race was successful! Please make a note of the information below for your own records:

Full Name: Markus Mzungo Roessel
ID Number: XXXXX38X7X1
Event: Comrades 2011 (International)
Category: International
Entry Fee: USD XXX.00
Donation: USD XXX.00
PLEASE NOTE: this transaction will appear on your statement with “Mr Price” (and not the specific event) as the reference.

Thanks,
Comrades Marathon

The Powerman Zofingen 2010 is history.

Arne Dyck wrote a brilliant article on the german website Triathlon-Szene.de about a race that deserves to be highly appreciated.

ARTICLE GERMAN
ARTICLE ENGLISH
My 2009 Zofingen Post

The best 50 photos from nearly 23,000 action and adventure sports images submitted to the Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2010 can now be seen in their full glory in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.

The open-air exhibition is open until September 11 and is free to the public. Every evening after dark, the images illuminate the front square of the university. Gates to the exhibition are opened every night between 8-10pm. The images are arguably the world’s greatest collection of action and adventure sports photography.

via redbullillume.com

Just a great exhibition – the Red Bull Illume. The magical environment of a nocturnal Trinity College is the perfect place to present the winning pictures of the annual competition. Watch a short VIDEO clip of the opening and give Dominic Zimmermann, Chris Burkard, Tim Korbmacher, Stuart Gibson & Mike Smolowe, Vincent Perraud, Daniel Grund, Oskar Enander, Josh Letchworth some props. Staggering work!

Residents of Kilgoris once again erupted into celebrations following David Rudisha’s second 800m record-breaking act in a week when he blasted to 1:41.01 in Rieti, Italy.

Hundreds of locals thronged restaurants and pubs to follow their illustrious son shatter his own 1:41.09 previous best as the sleepy town came alive. All recreational joints remained packed as early as 5pm as residents took positions to witness the long-awaited event.

Anxiety gripped most joints as adrenaline-filled spectators watched Rudisha outpace his challengers to romp to his second world beating mark inside seven memorable days.

The whole town and its environs was deafened by shouts, singing and dancing when Rudisha smashed his own record. Thereafter, merrymaking followed with free drinks flowing courtesy of Rudisha’s relatives and friends.

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