The Prologue

After my last competition in 2008 I didn’t want to participate in a half marathon any more... That last run had been hell on earth.

Then one day Udo told me about the City Run in Heidenheim. He wanted to run the half marathon there because it was the city where he was born. He would also be running for a sport studio „Paul’s 53“ which belonged to a colleague of ours.

After thinking it over I felt that I needed a new running goal - one can’t only be constantly eating and drinking beer. So, one night when we were out drinking wine and having fun I officially announced that I would compete and run for the sport studio „Paul’s 53“.

My training wasn’t really much fun due to the long winter and the shitty weather. Besides that it was pretty hard for me to find time to run in the first place. My work, my horse and our travels took up a lot of my time.

So I had to push myself forward, complaining a lot. I just couldn’t get myself going. I wasn’t satisfied at all and regretted my decision.

That’s how I felt until April/May. The weather finally got a bit better and Udo supported me. He was training for an extreme run himself. So he showed understanding towards me knowing that I also had to do lots of running myself. Then totally out of the blue I felt great, was motivated and full of energy. I decided to do a long jog on a beautiful day early May and was able to easily run for 1:40 hours. I was so happy.

Just before Udo’s extreme run we spontaneously decided to do a run together to the Baiselsberg. It’s a 16 km distance to the highest elevation point in our region which also meant I would have to run 4 km uphill.

This run was the best run in my whole life. I was able to run feeling so strong from the very beginning. I made the ascent and just couldn’t stop smiling. My legs ran and ran and ran. I finally was able to achieve a goal and I felt how proud Udo was.

Then, all of a sudden I was torn out of my running-ecstasy. I was forced to make a break. Four weeks before my half marathon I got a concussion. I couldn’t do any sports for two weeks whatsoever. I forced myself to commence my training although I still had headaches. I was still recovering yet managed to slowly run 21 km. The problem was that I caught a bad cold immediately after that run. I guess it was just too much for me. And again I had to take a break. I actually was only able to run two more times before the actual race. I felt really down.

I had great doubts if I would even be able to finish the run. And somewhere deep down inside I still wanted to beat my record and run under 2 hours…but that was so far away at the moment.

The Halfmarathon

We headed towards the race from the Dudelhof. Karin had already spoiled us all Saturday long and had even stood up on Sunday morning to make breakfast for me and to wish me luck.

I had eaten too much, we had gone to bed too late the last evening and I was totally nervous. Udo and I drove to the city Hall in Heidenheim on Sunday morning to get my running papers. Udo’s thigh was bruised and a bit swollen. I knew how much he would’ve had wanted to participate but there was no chance for him to even think about doing any sports… So it was up to me to run for him and hold our banner up high...

The weather was perfect. It was crisp, the route was flat and the atmosphere at the start really great. We started at exactly 9 am. I ran using Udo’s GPS watch which turned out to be a big help enabling me to maintain my pace. I had wanted to run at a pace of 5:40/km. I started off way too fast and I got a side stitch. My delight about the route was over after a short while, too. The headwind was very strong and it cost me a lot of strength. But in spite of everything I was able to hold my pace for about 17 km. It was great to see Udo, Hemme, Elke and their kids standing along the track cheering me onwards. I saw them a couple of times and it really motivated me! It’s just great to have good friends and the best husband in the world :)

Then I got that feeling deep down inside again to be able to break my record although I had missed a lot of training. Maybe today was to be THE day? But of course it came differently. After 17 km I felt as if someone had just pulled the electricity plug. I felt weak, and while cursing the headwind I constantly kept slowing down...

Kilometer 18. I really didn’t know how I was supposed to still run 3 more. I dragged myself onwards.

Kilometer 19. I knew the finish line was soon to come but I still had my doubts that I would cross it.

Kilometer 20. I really thought that I was way too slow and that there was no chance of breaking my record. I just wasn’t able to actually realize how fast I was running. That was a mistake. I felt too weak to dare myself to run any faster. I didn’t see any reason to in the first place because I would cross the finish line too late anyway.

Then all of a sudden I saw the finish line ahead of me. I was proud of myself that I had been able to finish the race - running for Udo, our friends and for the sport studio Paul’s 53.

I was even able to sprint the last meters of the race.

At first I was happy but then I realized how close I had been to achieving my goal. My total time was 2:01:29 hours. So, should I be content or sad? I still really don’t know. But I do know that Udo, Karin, Hemme, Elke and their Kids had given me a great weekend.

And as soon as all my muscle aches have gone I will start running again so that one day I will be able to achieve my record.

I will return :)))