My last marathon in Basel had gone along quite well, so I again decided to take the challenge. It’s just a great feeling to seek your own boundaries and if needed to step beyond them because the battle demands you to.

I chose the month and searched for a run that would take place nearby. Heilbronn – cool – not even an hour’s drive – so perfect actually, due to the fact that I didn’t want to drive great distances because of Tina and I building our own little house at the moment. Click, click and I was registered...

Only after wards did I notice how the route profile was – and I knew for sure that this run would be a hard one – if not a killer. In Salzburg and in Basel I had to cope with a difference of 20 meters in altitude and now in Heilbronn there were 352 meters waiting for me – oh shit…

My training went quite well – just about the same as for Basel– but my weight was great: 85 kg instead of 90 kg. So who was to care about a couple of ups and downs anyway? Ok, we did drive along the route with my motorbike two weeks ago and we did notice the slight differences in altitude!

We went to our favorite Greek restaurant the evening before the race and had a delicious and quite hearty meal, topping off our dinner with Ouzo and a couple of beers! After wards we retired early and fell softly asleep.

At 6 the alarm clock rang and what the hell was that sound I heard against my window – it was rain – pouring damn rain. Did I really want to run 4 hours in the rain – no I did not…

Nonetheless we drove through the pouring rain to Heilbronn hoping that it would soon stop. And it actually did stop - a half an hour before the race started. Thanks!

My lovey Coach

It’s always the same scenes just before the run starts – everyone’s excited and walking around nervously. A little small talk here - a little small talk there. Tina was definitely more excited than I was. Well, she’s always with me standing by my side whenever I need her and that truly helps to give me the strength I need.

9 am – Bang! Off we go! A last smile into the camera – I mean like why not? It was too late to be worried anyhow – you got to take it as it comes so just as well take it with a smile – you won’t change anything by looking pissed.

The beginning was ok, although the sun was slowly creeping out and getting stronger by the moment – the air quite humid due to the rainfall earlier. The first and longest ascent from Flein to Talheim after 10 km and the following descent were easy going. And that’s how it kept on going - up and down – sometimes steep and sometimes a bit flatter.

My SURPRISE Fan Club - Volker, Carmen and Jens - True Friends Of Steel!

Tina wanted to see me run along the route in Brackenheim and I was truly looking forward to see her and was waiting for her to cheer me onwards. It may seem funny but people who stand by the roadside and enthusiastically cheer and scream your name can actually give you strength and push you forwards. And even more if it’s your own wife and friends!

So I ran around the corner heading towards the city hall of Brackenheim and who did I see – Tina of course, yes – but wow – like how cool was this – there were Carmen, Volker and Jens from the MANOWAR Forum House Of Death standing there, too. All of them smiling and screaming their lungs out, waving Carmen’s homemade banners like Hell – for me – could you believe this – man that made me happy – from deep inside – really very happy. It’s so great to have friends standing by your side! On the back of our forum t-shirts it reads: ”Ten Thousand Side By Side” – who would dare doubt our unity!

And so I ran past them light footed after 23 km. It went downhill and that was good. Just before Neippburg where I crossed the road I heard a familiar voice – it was Tina yelling my name – so great to see her again while they were standing in a traffic jam – caused by us runners!

Well, after Neippburg my run would finally change into a battle. The ascent (9 %) opened Hell’s gates. My legs started pulsating quite wildly and the following descent did not let me recover.

OMG - Volker on the road

My time was fantastic – up until then – 5:20 minutes/km – it would have meant a finishing time of 3:44:00 hours if not…

…for the brutal ascent after 35 km – my calves wanted to explode – the muscles way too large for the skin which surrounded them. I slowed down – 6 minutes/km. I was really hoping for a recovery by going downhill after reaching the Klingenberg but the descent of 14 % killed all my hopes immediately – my thighs got cramps - I wasn’t able to take hold of my own weight and started to hobble downwards – shit, shit double shit!

After reaching the valley I had to take two short walking breaks because I wasn’t sure when the final lethal cramp would come upon me. Now, runners that passed motivated me to carry on as I had done before – running a marathon gives you a feeling of being in this together – a feeling of unity that just doesn’t happen running shorter distances.

My body was dead but my mind was in a great mood. Tina had said that this marathon would be hell and she was right – the route truly was! And to top it off – the heat came on, too! 27 ° C in the shade – although there was none to be seen.

Yet I was still able to run upright into the Franken-Stadium and cross the finish line after 4:02:25 hours. For me running a marathon will always be hell because I don't count myself as a typical hardcore runner (I enjoy life far too much for shit like that!) and that's why the burden I leave behind that finish line is indescribable - so I won’t even try.

My fan club was waiting for me and I was just glad to be there and of course glad to see them. And Tina was so glad for me – so, what more should a man expect!

Do I have to?

Yes I do - and I did it with pride!

We made a couple of pictures and sat together. I wanted to say more - how happy I was and glad but I couldn’t – speechless. Well whatever, I’d had enough water so I actually took the chance on having an ice cold Weizen. Man, let me tell you that beer kicked ass – the pain was gone – ok, maybe just a bit blurred but anyway – it felt good! Volker also got himself one and after wards we said our good-byes – knowing our next gathering would be very soon…

It was a great day which Tina and I celebrated later on with a buffet at our favorite Indian restaurant and a 16 year old Lagavulin at home.

The run was crazy – the route was definitely not for breaking records – even the best runners arrived 20 minutes later than usual. That gave me confidence for my next run because in autumn I will again take on the challenge – although this time nice and flat, hopefully being able to break my own personal record…

"Greatness waits for those who try
None can teach You - it's all inside
Just climb!"