Sunday, May 8th, 2011

On a cold winter's day in January 2010 during MANOWAR's Death To Infidels Tour David and I spoke about running a marathon together. When Brothers Of Metal speak about achieving goals you can bet your ass that they will succeed because that's why we are Brothers Of Metal - that's what makes the difference - we don't listen to Heavy Metal - we live Heavy Metal...

I've wanted to run the marathon in Prague for some years now. It was a flat one and I've never been to the city before. The final decision was made immediately after running the marathon in Athens last year.

I wrote David an email and he was more than ready to take on this challenge. Lars who was thinking about running a marathon for a long time as well still kept on thinking about it. "Do you think I can do it?" I said that I thought he could - as long as he stuck to running. Finally at our Christmas Party at work he decided to go for it. A thread had been long started in MANOWAR's official forum and Paddy asked me the same question as Lars had done. I must admit that I was pretty astonished but nevertheless I also knew that Paddy was Irish.

So, the four of us started our training. My running was brilliant and I really thought that I could break my personal record or even beat that magical mark of 3:30 hours. The months went by and the three newbies needed plenty of kicks in their asses - some more - some less (I've been told that they loved them)! David had to deal with a very hard winter in Croatia, while Paddy had minor injuries that forced him to take breaks from training and Lars, well - Lars had to deal with himself. And then finally the day of the race was nigh...

"The time has come all the training done
The muscle and the blood will come to pay"

We all arrived in Prague and it was of course not only the four runners but we were accompanied by Warriors from all around the World. They were ready to stand by our sides to cheer us on into victory (and also probably to rock, drink and party the whole fuckin' weekend long!). David, Paddy, Lars and I went to the EXPO to get our starting packages. Our hearts filled with excitement, the tension written in our eyes. I guess I was taking it the easiest for it was to be my 7th marathon.

After having a dinner together we arrived at the hotel and after a bedtime drink we called it a night. I woke up the next morning at 6 am and felt quite good. We had a breakfast and then headed to the starting line.

Many of the Warriors got up early and went with us. It was great to have so much support. Tina was so damn excited - a lot more than I actually was. I guess one could call that true love.

One last picture before the Four Runners Of Steel were to hit the track - 42.195 k ahead of us.

The weather was brilliant and sunny and it was already quite warm at 9 am when the race started. I was in a good and quite relaxed mood. I had said to myself that I would try to maintain a pace of about 4:55 min/k and if not then not...

The first 8 - 9 k were a total pain in the ass. As always there were many many runners who had pushed their way up front before the race had started. Runners who knew they were slower than the group they were queuing in but didn't give a shit about the ones who would be (a lot) faster. These fuckin' idiots forced me to dodge back and forth to be able to pass them. I mean, for fuck's sake, what's the point?

It was funny (well, not really funny!) because if you had tailwind it was fuckin' hot after about 2 hours into the race and then all of a sudden you changed directions and had to deal with a pretty damn cold headwind. At least the race was flat. I was doing great and finished the first half in 1:45:15 minutes although my pace was getting a bit slower. I kept telling myself that I'd be able to speed up at the end of the race like I had been able to in Athens. At some point the runners had to take a u-turn and ran on the same road just in different directions. That's when I saw David and Paddy who looked great. I was hoping to see Lars but missed him.

I kept on running and I also kept on slowing down. My stamina felt ok but my legs were getting heavier and heavier. A month before the race I talked to a guy who knew the marathon and he told me that the cobblestones could really kill you. I guess 3/4 of the race track was layered with cobblestones. The ground was totally uneven and the feet had to constantly compensate this - straining the tendons and tiring the legs. It sucked...  

Warriors Of The World United

I guess only a long distance runner knows how great it really is to be supported during the race. We had our crew cheering for us all along the track and they were there at 4 k, 12 k and then 33 k before heading to the finish line.

After about 30 k when I had slowed down and my pace was already over 5 minutes the only thing I thought about was seeing Tina and my friends. I had wanted to run under 3:30 hours and knew that I would not achieve that goal. These are the most painful moments for a marathoner and the hardest ones as well. You still have to run another 12 k and all of a sudden your mind sees no reason to keep on going. Believe me that is a real battle one has to fight.

There they were yelling and screaming and cheering me onwards. And now - could I've stopped? No, never, ever. I would've kept on running no matter what.

There were 9 k left for me and I still thought that I could maybe break at least my personal record. Well, that dream was wiped out as soon as I hit the next cobblestone layered part of the track. Every footstep sent a slight pain through my legs and I really started worrying about getting cramps - somewhere - calves, thighs, you name it - I really thought my tendons were on the verge of snapping...

So, again I slowed down - hating every meter of this godforsaken track. Finally the last meters were in sight. I smiled and I saw my friends cheering again. I ran over to my beloved soul mate Tina and gave her a kiss before crossing the finish line. I didn't care about my time any more. I knew I had done my best on that day - on that track - and that was all that counted. Would I have achieved my goal without cobblestones - who knows. But you can bet your ass I'll never stop trying...

  I made it in 3:42:54 hours which meant it was at least my second best marathon.

I was happy to see everyone after the race. My mood was good and when Tina handed me a Guinness (provided by our beer machine Lino) - it was like being in paradise. The beer may have been warm but it was one the best I've ever had!

What I really enjoyed was being able to cheer for all the other runners on their last meters. The atmosphere during those final moments is always exhilarating. Looking in their eyes is like reading a book...

And of course the greatest moment after finishing my own race - no wait, three great moments - was seeing Paddy, David and Lars head towards the finish line like true Warriors - upright and proud.

And damnit, I was fuckin' proud of them - they had just accomplished running their first marathon. And now they finally knew what only a marathoner will ever know.

All Hail Lars, David and Paddy.

Paddy 4:25:26 hours.

David 4:33:41 hours.

Lars 5:00:14 hours.

It was an incredible and undescribable feeling to stand beside my Brothers after fighting such a battle together.

Once again The House Of Death proved to be one of a kind - our brotherhood is without equals. MANOWAR and their music has brought us together and we now stand as one. Growing together and strengthening our bond and friendship everytime we meet.

And yes, we will meet - again and again and again...