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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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!
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…
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…
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,…