I haven't updated my blog in a while. The reason for that is that I failed! I didn’t achieve my goal of completing the Zermatt Half Marathon.
It was my first race in over 9 years and my first serious race ever (I ran the Strongman Run in Thun 9.5 years ago for "fun").
I was already very nervous on the way to Zermatt and wondered if I had trained enough. The very slow train ride didn't help my nerves either. I watched the other runners laughing and joking. I wasn’t in the mood –I knew how strenuous the run ahead was going to be. rd.
"No backing out now. Who says A must say B. Stick to the plan! Keep an eye on your pace, warm up well and don't start too fast!"
In Zermatt, me and my now wife walked around the village for a while to pass the time and calm the nerves - the both of us! Then: Check in - proof of vaccination status - hand over personal belongings - look for the starting block.
We said our goodbyes and headed for our starting blocks. That’s where my plan went out the window. Warm-up? What is that? Oh, I was going to regret it later.
While waiting for the starting signal, I was going through the course in my head. Where did I have to save energy? Where could I make up time? Where were the difficult sections? I also imagined crossing the finish line. The chaos of feelings. Exhaustion, pain, relief and – pride! I wanted to proudly announce that I had made it. Despite MS, despite my past injuries, despite the fact that my body isn’t exactly made for mountain running. While I was going over all this in my head, I heard the signal for Simone's starting block. One last glimpse – I wouldn’t be seeing her till we both crossed the finish line.
Then the time came. My starting block moved to the starting line and off we went. Half marathon – let’s do this! Motivated by the crowd in the village and our great coaches from the Sodalis team, we first looped through the village. Then the ascent began. A glance at my watch after around 3 to 4 kilometres confirmed that I had strayed from my game plan yet again. I had started too fast and was not keeping to the pace I had set out for myself.
I paid for it bitterly. I was talking to a fellow runner and didn't see a pothole. I stepped right into it, twisted my foot slightly and felt a twinge in my left thigh. I tried to keep running. On the ascent to Sunnegga, my hope was to walk the pain away. Well, it didn’t work and my back started aching from overcompensating.
F***! That was it! Once again, an injury held me back.
I had to give up and take the train up to the finish line to wait for Simone. It hurt to see all the runners crossing the finish line. They sure as hell deserve those medals! In their faces I could see the emotional chaos I had imagined. Dragging themselves up the last hill and running down the other side. The relief - the pride.
As Simone approached the finish line, I could see the emotions on her face. Gritting her teeth while climbing the last ascent and the beautiful wide grin as she crossed the finish line.
Congratulations! You did it!
Und was ist jetzt mit mir? Noch oben im Zielgelände fragte mich die Projektverantwortliche der Sodalis, ob ich nächstes Jahr wieder mitlaufe.
JA! Ich habe da noch eine Rechnung offen!
And me? Well… I’m going to try again next year. After all, I have a score to settle.
Originally, I had planned to announce my challenge for 2022 after successfully running the half marathon. You know… full of pride, with a medal around my neck. But as I didn’t finish the race, it didn’t seem right. I had to clear my head first. So, I took my time…
… and I had more pressing matters to attend to anyway! Our wedding day was coming up! And I can tell you, it was pure perfection!
In September, I started telling people about my secret project for 2022 and that I still had a bone to pick with the Zermatt Half Marathon. And so, the decision is made. I am sticking to my original plan and am adding the half marathon to the mix.
Check out the video below to find out what my next challenge is. You will also be able to read all about it in my next blog post.
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