TNF100 Singapore 50k…

TNF100 Singapore 50k…

medal of TNF Time medal of TNF

OK, this was my second Ultra-Marathon with a little more than just the 805 meters from the Craze Ultra I did 3 weeks ago. So the verdict is, 7.805 km are to your legs like running a Marathon all over again 😉 IT WAS LONG… But as you can see I didn’t lose the good spirit, overall it was a great run. I do like the idea from the Craze Ultra that we started in to the night, the temperature is much more bearable compare when you have to start at 7:00 and you running right towards the heat.

A little note on the side: the organisation was more than questionable, starting on the event where you got your BIB, there was a big sell of TNF stuff… now you guess it… hardly any running stuff, no SHORT running tights 🙁 BUT YES tonnes of winter jackets, caps, scarves and gloves. What the heck did they just flown this guy in from Alaska??? Just unbelievable. Then they changed the flag off time on a very short notice , and like that is not enough several chips where multifunctional. Of course I was one of the victims as well, I to have to say they did a great job with recovering all the times, so I guess shit happens.

As usual the helper were very helpful and attentive, THANK YOU GUYS!

Looking forward to next year, however not sure yet if I will go for the 100k 😉

 

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First ride with the Felt A3 bike

First ride with the Felt A3 bike

Me with Patrik from Alaska...

Me with Patrik from Alaska…

I still have difficulties getting up this early, meeting time was 6:30 in the morning 🙁

This wasn’t really the trip I was hopping for, my chain kept derailing of the front chain ring every so often towards the pedal. After several times my strength wasn’t enough to catch up with this guys again and again… and there is no thought, this guys are damn quick 😉

A big thank you to David for the warm welcome at the West Coast Riders, made me feel at home right away.

Anyhow in the end I manage to get 67 km, not bad…now we have to see what Colin thinks, I’m sure after some adjustment it should be fine.

 

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My new road bike… a FELT AR3

My new road bike… a FELT AR3

 

Today I got my new road bike, a Felt AR3, with a Campagnola Athena EPS shifting unit, very excited to take it for a ride tomorrow morning. Colin from the Bikehaus did a great job in selling me that bike, I wish he let me update his webpage doe 😉 

Craze Ultra 43k, my first Ultra-Marathon…

Craze Ultra 43k, my first Ultra-Marathon…

 

 

This was my first Ultra-Marathon, with 43 km only 805 meters more. However, your brain and mostly your legs are so used to the 42.195 that they need some talking to convincing them that they d o have to continue 😉 

Now I know I can do it, ready for the 50 km TNF run…

As the start was in the evening 19:00 the heat wasn’t a problem, and the heavy rain at the end was kind of nice as it felt like a warm shower.

 

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The timer on the photo was started 12:03 hours earlier for the 160 km runners, YES that’s right 160 km… so plus the time it took them to drag me back there equals my finishing time.

And yes, I’m now certified 43% nuts, like you didn’t know that already 😉 I will try to top that at next years race, next step will be 78%, let’s see if I eventually make it to 160% that really would be mind blowing…

 

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SAFRA Half Marathon

SAFRA Half Marathon

SAFRA Half-Marathon 2014

Arriving in Singapore on Saturday 30th August, didn’t leave me much time to get adjusted to the Singaporean climate. Sunday morning 5:00 o’clock I had to start running, so glad it was only a Half-Marathon anything more would probably kill me. I was dripping wet…

Now we have to prepare for my first Ultra-Marathon on the 20th September, it will be 43 k. That will be fun 😉

SAFRA Half-Marathon 2014

I guess the advantage of being tall is obvious 😉

 

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Zermatt Marathon

Zermatt Marathon

My 13th Marathon and my 2nd Mountain Marathon in 4:54:26

The day starts at 5:30, after taking a shower and having my breakfast I head down to St. Niklaus a 1/2 hour train ride from Zermatt. Here I meet my friend Christoph, enough time to go through all the details of the race. At 8:40 the race starts, everything went well until shortly before Zermatt which was the halfway point. A second not looking at the ground and already I miss a root which made me fall, luckily it was soft forest ground and I didn’t hurt my self. The weather was still partly cloudy, but slowly getting warmer, as at the same time it starts to increase in steepness so I’m actually feeling quite hot. Good thing they had lots of refreshments stands, which I made good use of. Lots of the second half I had to walk, it was just to steep to run. Finally, I heard the Bagpipes which were playing about 1 km ahead of the finish, this was a relief, knowing that I almost made it. The last meters (lined with the little Swiss flags) I’m just flying right through the finish line… WOW, I did it under the magical 5 hours… I feel so happy, this was a great run.

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Zermatt Marathon – the way to the top
(text from the official site)

Starting in St. Niklaus, situated in the lowest-lying mountain valley in Switzerland, and ending on Riffelberg by Gornergrat, the highest-altitude finish line in Europe at 2,585 m.a.s.l., the Zermatt Marathon is the supreme alpine racing challenge. Total acclivity: 1’944 m (3’678 feet), declivity:  444 m (1’457 feet).

This event will be the most exciting and ambitious marathon competition in Europe. On the first 20 kilometers of the race from St. Niklaus to Zermatt, the course continues through the valley floor, mainly along the left bank of the Vispa River. The half-marathon distance will be reached at the Zermatt Bahnhofstrasse. From there, the course winds along an alpine road up to Sunnegga. The next leg of the race is via Gant, and after a stretch of flat land, competitors will reach Riffelalp at 2,222 m.a.s.l. Here is where the heat is really on! Because over the remaining kilometers an elevation of almost 400 meters has to be overcome before finally reaching the finish at 2,585 m.a.s.l. on Riffelberg by Gornergrat.

Starting shot
St. Niklaus, a legendary provenance of alpinism, can look back on a proud tradition of being the birthplace of outstanding mountaineers. Numerous are the ‘four-thousanders’ which were first conquered by the native sons of St. Niklaus. It follows that St. Niklaus is the absolutely ideal starting point for a new generation of intrepid spirits on their way to the top – the marathon runners.

Half-time
Zermatt, the epitome of alpine resort sophistication with its overwhelming view of the world’s most glorious mountain – the Matterhorn. The Bahnhofstrasse in cosmopolitan Zermatt marks the athletes’ fleeting and final passage through the realm of civilization before they once again compete with the forces of nature on their ascent to Sunnegga.

Breathing space
Sunnegga, the long ascent through pine forests and alpine pastures, acknowledges the athletes’ spirit with a magnificent panoramic view of the Alps. The next few kilometers over flat terrain offer a welcome breather.

Last lap
Riffelalp, lying at an altitude of 2,222 meters. One glance at the resplendent Matterhorn fortifies the athletes for the even greater test of strength to come. For the arduous ascent from Riffelalp up to Riffelberg is next – and this last lap scales an elevation of yet another 400 meters.

Finishing line
Riffelberg, 2,585 meters above sea level. The pain subsides. Breathing becomes easier. 29 four-thousand-meter mountains cheer each runner who reaches the finishing line.