Tears welled up in my eyes as I slowly walked out of the runner’s tent and towards the toilets. “I failed,” I thought. The reality of the sudden end to what should have been one of my big races this year set in. I’d completed 19 laps of the O-See Backyard Ultra. And then my […]
O-See Backyard Ultra Race Report Read More »
I stared at the email in disbelief. My heart raced seemingly as fast as it had just a few hours ago when I did my threshold interval session. The message was simple, but its impact was profound: “We are thrilled to announce that you have been selected for the CCC.” I had secured a coveted
Complete Blueprint For a DIY Ultrarunning Training Camp Read More »
“You will not give up again,” I told myself. “Stop calculating. Just keep running.” I took a sip of water and trudged forward in the dark forest. “Just until the next checkpoint. Then you can take a break.” I wondered if they had coffee. Halfway through my first 100-mile race, I was on the verge
Psychological Secrets of Ultrarunning Success Read More »
“Just grab something,” I repeated those words as I approached the aid station. It was 02:17 AM, and I was on a motocross track where I had been running lap after lap for 16 hours already. I grabbed a few dried dates and a handful of peanuts and carried on toward the first steep climb
From Bonking to Winning – Lessons on Ultramarathon Nutrition Read More »
“The final lap. This is the final lap. You already won. This is your victory lap.” I tried to force myself to comprehend what I had just achieved. To feel pride, elation and all those feelings I thought one was supposed to feel when winning. But I couldn’t comprehend it just yet. After running for
The Advantages of Starting Ultrarunning Late in Life Read More »
“To be a great ultrarunner, you need to have 3 things. First, a high threshold for pain. Second, a short memory. And the third…I forgot.” – Unknown. I could barely move when I woke up. My body ached, and my feet were swollen. I lay in bed, mentally preparing for what I knew would be
Ultrarunning for Beginners Series: Part I Read More »
After a disappointing running year 2023, I decided to explore as many races and distances as possible in 2024. Even though I won the 24-hour Mad Chicken Run in September 2023, overall, I was disappointed. I caught Covid-19 for the first time in March and canceled my start at the 100 km German Championships. And
Race Around Lake Werdersee 50 K Race Report Read More »
I didn’t expect to finish the race on the podium. In fact, just 2 days earlier, I didn’t expect to finish at all. Mysterious pains in my upper abdomen appeared on Thursday and made me question my decision to travel to the race. I had experienced these pains before. They appeared seemingly out of nowhere
“I wish you much grit. Because you don’t need luck in life. You need grit”. A girl shouted those words at me after I told her I was nearing the end of a 100-mile race. It was a warm August summer night, and the streets of Berlin were filled with people. While they partied and
Ultrarunning for Beginners – the Ultimate Guide Read More »
“I feel tearful” was the last message I sent to my girlfriend before I made my way to the starting area of the 24-hour German Championships. I was emotional. It was my first 24h race. Plus, my period also set in just one day before. On top of that, I experienced severe tummy pains just
24 Hour Race German Championship Race Report Read More »