222019Sep

Stage 1: From Peña Ulaña to Sedano

Sunday, 22nd September 2019 Transfer to Start Line. (bus trip) Approx.48km. +1,645m -2,045m. The alarm woke me up at 5 in the morning. I had prepared everything last night, so I needed only 10 minutes to get ready. I couldn’t eat much for breakfast, there’s the nervousness in me that we all feel. Want to…

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212019Sep

The blogsitter takes over

 Hi! Great to meet you. My name is Kerstin, Im am the blogsitter while Dirk is running through Spain – and since Dirk asked me to add a bit of my own I made this short video. If you want to give feedback or contact me, here is my Facebook Account. But you can…

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212019Sep

Final preparation

Time has come. We finished the obligatory medical and mandatory items check this morning. All is good. After a quick breakfast and prior to lunch – they are serving so much delicious food here – I decided to do a quick warm up run. Just to setup the suspension system. Result, hilly and nice. Race…

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212019Sep

The big hello

I finally arrived and reunited with the family. Crazy amazing. Within 10 minutes I got easily 20 hugs and cheers. Everybody is super excited and eager to get to know you. The hospitality is what you would expect from Spain, fantastic. There is fresh food and wine… All of it. This is part of why…

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202019Sep

In transit

I’m on the plane, en route to Madrid. My mind is wandering. How will it be this time? What thoughts will come up during the many hours of loneliness? Will I gain new insights? I’m visualizing how the arrival will be. After all I know a few of my fellow runners from previous races. I’m…

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202019Sep

It’s happening

I slept well but woke up super early. I’m so excited, I don’t want to wait anymore. In know, it’s only a matter of miles and I will ask myself the “why?” question again but that’s part of the game. This stage is with Iberia Express, from Berlin, Tegel Airport to Madrid, followed by a…

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192019Sep

Almost there

From here on out it’s only a matter of hours. I finally packed my bag today, realizing that I carry way too many things but this time I won’t have to carry much on my back between the stages. I’m getting really excited, can’t wait to arrive. I will double check all items one more…

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162019Sep
It’s getting real

It’s getting real

Just bought my ticket to Madrid. I’m getting really excited. I also took another look at the multiple stages and are now as scared as excited. I seem to set myself up for trouble. Love it!

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142019Sep

Getting the gear ready

This part I’m actually looking forward to. Getting the racing gear, that I once owned and misplaced. This is my running backpack, my walking sticks, my headlamp, next to a few smaller items – bummer. A good enough reason to go shopping for another set. I also will need new trail running shoes. The decision…

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252019Aug

Slow but steady

It’s still slow but I feel I’m moving. It rained a few times and with the temperature dropping I took my chance and added a few longer runs. It finally feels as if I’m getting a bit stronger. I still have to do multiple 30+ km runs. I’m cutting it way too close and are…

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152019Aug

Painful

It’s not going well. My knees are finally fixed and work again but due to business I have to travel a lot and keep finding myself in places where it’s simply too warm for me to run. As a matter of fact, I found that I apparently develop some kind of exercise triggered asthma when…

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82019Jul

Getting in shape

My ligaments are still giving me grief but I found myself help. Dr. Wolfrom in Berlin, herself a former professional runner and now Orthopedic doctor, fixed me up. Finally!  What else would be required? Well, for starters, I’m out of shape and need to pick up pace fast. So, a coach had to be added,…

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