04 / 14 / 2013

Melker Easter Run 2013 / Lower Austria (April 1^st)

I competed the second time for my sponsor "hagebau Schuberth" at the 10k Melker Easter Run. My last in Melk was in 2011. Last year at this time I was in bed with glandular fever. Weather was rather cool and next to the track there was still snow! As I already knew The hilly city course (5 laps), I was able to run the 10k steadily. With my time 37:51 and rank 8th in my age group, I am satisfied after my training start 2013. I found feeling for the right pace again and so I could run very constantly and reach my goal.

At the Vienna City Marathon on 04/14/2013 I gave support my long time training partner Gerald Lahmer at the half marathon distance and helped him as pacemaker reach his goal (under 1:30:00).
I continue on May 1st at the May Run in Loosdorf (5k).
At 04/19/2013 my internship at Fischer Sports in Ried/Innkreis ends. Until then I will still have some "snow day" for ski testing.

Next events:

08/10/2013   Mountainbike Marathon Mank
08/31/2013   Leithaman Duathlon
10/20/2013   Wolfgangseelauf 27k

03 / 03 / 2013

43. International Ganghoferlauf - Leutasch / Seefeld / Tyrol / Austria

Fabulous weather and lots of snow in Leutasch were great conditions for an outstanding competition.
Over 1000 starters make the "International Ganghoferlauf" to one of the largest cross-country races in Austria. The starter-field was also very international: most starters came from Germany, Austria and Russia. Competitors from Australia, the U.S. and Great Britain and a lot of other nations were also represented.
There were four distances to choose: 20k or 42k Skating and 25k or 50k Classic

I chose the 25km Classic distance. My decision was taken because of two reasons: First, for a season starter a 50k race would be perhaps a bit too long and second the classic technique fits me currently better because I'm engaged in the development of classic skis in my internship with Fischer Sports (Fischer Ski).

Of course, I took a bunch of skis with me to have the choice for the best pair of skis for the local conditions. Due to the spring-like snow conditions and the weather forecast I decided for a ski with a "zero" kickzone. This one is especially designed for this kind of snow.

But it turned out quite differently. Within a clear cold night the temperatures got really low in the altitude. The perfectly groomed track was freshly milled and then they pulled the track.
In race morning it was very warm so I could run in my race suit to start. I thought that the snow would be soft an wet soon and I expected that my skis could show their strength. Unfortunately, my decision was wrong.

Only towards the end my skis had grip and I could run up the climbs. Until then I worked over 20k only with my arms. I totally underestimated these conditions and so I couldn't show my good cross-country shape.

Since this was my first start in a classic race I paid my dues - a fault like that will never happen to me again!

Next Races:

04/01/2013   Melker Easter Run 10k
05/12/2013   Wein-Stein-Bike Mountainbike Marathon
08/10/2013   Mountainbike Marathon Mank
08/31/2013   Leithaman Extreme Duathlon

01 / 01 / 2013

Competition Comeback

Because of glandular fever in spring 2012 I wasn't able to participate in any competition during summer season 2012. Even after the fever it was impossible for me to get back in my daily training routine. I suffered hard because of the lost body mass (muscles) and permanent tiredness.
With the Vienna's New Year's Eve Run - a 5.325m long loop on the famous "Wiener Ringstraße" - I had my comeback. This could be seen as a sportive start for 2013 , when I'll be back in training and competitions.
I'd like to take the opportunity to wish a happy new year to all my friends, colleagues and sponsors.

Int. Vienna-LCC New Year's Eve Run 2012

After a long break (the longest break during my carrier) I chose the Vienna New Year's Eve Run as a good opportunity to give my comeback in competitions. The 5.325m long course I know very well since I'm competing in this run for years. It's always a pleasure for me to run in Vienna's City Centre on closed roads.
Of course I could not expect a top result. I finished as 25^th. I tried to run a constant pace sub 4:00min/k which I could achieve easily.
Noticeable: My dad - also a passionate "New Year's Eve runner" - was even faster than the last years. With consequent training, a sportive improvement is possible at every age.

Internship at Fischer Sports in Ried im Innkreis / Austria

From Jan. 7^th 2013 until March 29^th 2013 I'm going to do my obligatory internship of my study - Sports Equipment Technology - in the Headquarter of Fischer Sports in Ried im Innkreis / Austria. I'll be working in the R&D department - Ski Nordic. I hope I can serve a good input with my specific knowledge and I'm glad to be able to work in the Nordic skiing sector since I'm active into this sport for years

4 / 30 / 2012

Glandular Fever (Epstein-Barr virus infection)

This drawn-out viral illness hit me hard. I am forced to be in bed for weeks.
Swollen glands, fever, extreme tiredness made me totally unable to move or eat for two weeks.
Since there is no medication against glandular fever it is necessary to wait until the disease is gone and you have to give your body a lot of rest to recover.
My participation on the Melker Easter-Run and the long distance Duathlon Muerzman I had to cancel.

Many world class athletes - e.g. Roger Federer (tennis) and Mirna Jukic (swimming) - had to take a break because of this disease, too.

I am already getting better. If everything goes well, I'm able to train again in June and start competing this summer.

02/26/2012: ("Polar Bear Run") 7k in Vienna - 2^nd place (M20)

One week after I got back home from Australia I did the
"2nd International LCC - Eisbärlauf ("Polar Bear Run") 2012" and chose the 7k distance.
It was windy and cool, however almost 1000 runners competed in the 7k and half marathon distance.
The 7k went to the Swiss Manuel Wyss. I got 4^th overall and 2^nd in my age group.

Occasionally run and bike competitions as preparation for my (European) triathlon season 2012 are on my schedule.

02/11/2012: Falls Creek Triathlon - 2012 Australian Long Course Championships
2k-80k-20k - 9^th in the Pros

Australians Long Course Championships took place in Falls Creek an Australian ski resort at about 1500 meters above sea level. Overall (in the competition frame), were 600 athletes at the start.
Because of thunderstorms announced in the afternoon, which were also really, the start has been moved from 8:30 to 7:00 am. The weather has turned over completely. When the race was launched, it had just 7 degrees, the lake was 15 degrees, not really warm.

Due to the rising sun I was blinded by making false choice goggles and lost quite a bit while swimming orientation. During subsequent cycling, I could make up the curved road especially in the runs again many places.
On cross-country trails of the final half-marathon was to be completed, where I was very fast.

With a time of 4:22:10, I finished 9th place in the pros.
The victory went to Timothy Reed before Joe Gambles. Both are world class athletes.
Melissa Rollison won the ladies, the reigning Ironman 70.3 world champion who is undefeated at half-Ironman. She finished a few seconds in front of me.

Here is a short video from mountain bike training on spectacular single trails

1 / 21 / 2012

"Ski-Week" in Salzburg / Hochkönig

Kick-off of the winter training on the Dachstein glacier in Styria / Austria

In my study, a sports practice week in the Salzburger Alps was on schedule. During that week a ski instructor training course had to be done.
Beside skiing my triathlon training was of course still in progress. Spinning on the indoor trainer and running was on my daily agenda.

Vienna New Year's Eve Run 2011

3600 runners participated the 5.4k run around the famous Vienna's "Ringstrasse".

Australia from 24.1. - 18.2. 2012

In a few days, I'm going to Australia for 3 ½ weeks to Bairnsdale, Victoria. My hosts are like 2010 the McShanes who I met 2008 in Maui / Hawaii, where Charlotte McShane and I won the XTERRA World Championships in the junior's category. Charlotte now is part of the Australian triathlon team on the Olympic distance and is competing worldwide.

I'll find excellent training conditions in Australia. I'll compete at Falls Creek Triathlon (Half Ironman) and maybe at some other small events.

Beside that I like this continent, the McShanes and their friends.

The flight (Vienna - Dubai - Melbourne) to the other end of the world takes 24 hours - but flying with the Emirates is a pleasure. Emirates are really the best airline in the world.

Before and after my trip to Australia "winter training" in the Austrian Alps with a lot of cross-country skiing is on my schedule.

2012 will be an intense year of sport

10-15 national and international (Europe and USA) - with a focus on XTERRA triathlons - competitions are on my agenda, beside my studies at the University of Applied Sciences at the in Technikum Vienna. This is really a challenge - not because of sport, also of the costs. Additional sponsors are more than welcome.

Internship in USA

December 2012 to May 2013 I'll probably do my internship semester of my sports equipment technology studies in Utah. That's where main cluster of sports equipment development in the US is. Hopefully there is an interesting job for me in a research and development department. Moreover, there are very good training facilities in Utah and in winter you'll the best powder snow there. Luckily, I also have some very good friends in Salt Lake City.

My next important event:
02/11/2012 Falls Creek Triathlon - Victoria / Australia