Highlights

Mozart100 (102.5k) trail
Official time: 13:13:45
Runkeeper log

Bratislava run (72k) fun
Runkeeper log

2015 VCM (42k) city
Official time: 3:32:48
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Scenic55 (55k) trail
Official time: 5:54:50
Runkeeper log

2014 VCM (42k) city
Official time: 3:43:06
Runkeeper log

First long run (23k) fun
Runkeeper log

Running

My first 21+ km run

After finishing my first over 21 km long run in Helsinki in July 2013

VCM 2014 finish

At the finish of my first marathon, the 2014 Vienna City Marathon.

Scenic 55

After finishing my first ultramarathon distance, the 55-kilometer Scenic55 near Salzburg.

Footwear

I often wear toe socks even in normal shoes (here the Kinvara 4's) to avoid chafing. Photo at the Scenic 55 finish.

Salut!

Well-deserved drink at the Scenic 55 finish.

VCM 2015

At the starting line of the 2015 Vienna City Marathon.

VCM 2015 finish

Didn't quite make my target time of 3:30, but was quite happy at the finish with my friend and running partner Jani.

Bratislava training run

In May 2015, we had the notion with Jani that it would be a good idea to practice for the upcoming Mozart100 race by running the 70-km distance from Bratislava to Vienna.

Bratislava run

Weather was very nice, although it did get a “little” hot later on.

Bratislava run

Reaching the river Donau.

Bratislava run

Midway spritzer break!

Doubtful of the route

Towards the end of a 70+ km training run from Bratislava to Vienna.

Mozart100

102.5 kilometers mostly in cold rain over muddy trails. Cannot really recommend.

I was seriously bit by the running bug in the Spring of 2013 after reading the exhilarating book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, with the encouragement of my friend, colleague and running partner Jani Kotakoski. I had previously jogged for a few kilometers, the last being several years previously. So basically I started from scratch.

I bought myself a pair of minimalist Vibram FiveFingers foot-gloves – namely, the now-discontinued Bikila LS model – and started practicing a strict forefoot strike. Before my first marathon in 2014, I moved to slightly more cushioned footwear better suited for pounding long miles on the pavement, settling on the zero-drop Saucony Kinvara 4's (which I had to throw out after close to 2000 km and the mud of Mozart 100).

I completed two full marathons, both in Vienna, and two trail ultramarathons: 55 km and 102.5 km, both at the Mozart100 event in Salzburg. The former was a lot of fun, the latter rather grueling due to temperatures barely above 10 C and significant rain over the entire 13-hour run. I'm not quite sure what I want to achieve next, but I think it will be less than 100 km and somewhere warm and dry (Burning Man ultramarathon?) :)

Running

Highlights

Running

Mostly Physics

Affiliation