A few weeks ago, I started running with the running group of TV Oerlikon, a large sports association in Zurich with a long tradition.

And they’re not only large and old, among their members are also a lot of super fast people. It’s great to train with national calibre rockets. Granted, I’m rarely in the same group as the 1:05:55 half marathon guy or the 31:31 10K guy, but they are around, and very friendly at that.

Also, I get to know the North of Zurich. We haven’t taken the same route twice yet, see picture, and from a running track in Neu-Affoltern to laps to Dübendorf and back there has been everything.

After about seven “trial trainings”, it might be time to become a member, though. I don’t want to risk being kicked out for showing up all the time and never paying any fee.

I did one lap of the 70.3 Switzerland bike course today (plus the way there and back). Phew. “Hilly” doesn’t quite cut it! Eight more weeks to get used to it.

Last weekend I spent in Lausanne for some cycling and running with Camillo of “Giant Battle of the Titans” fame. Before I left, I passed by the On clearance sale to take advantage of their 50% and 60% discounts.

I even got myself a Cloudrunner (2011 model), after thinking all the time that I’m not part of the target group. Turns out I am! I did all weekend runs in them, and I like them.

We did so much training that we got up early for some pasta and then back to sleep again. (Actually not that much training, but the pasta thing was fun.)

Also, Lausanne and surroundings does not know the “flat” type of terrain. It’s always either “uphill” or “downhill”. And it was a bit cold! But all in all a solid weekend. Just no bike speed averages to show off with.

That’s what the elder  man with crutches said when I passed him on my mini run (warm-up, 15 minutes marathon pace, cool down) today. I take it that I now have the physique of an east African elite distance runner (think Gebrselassie), so people want to feed me (or give me some of their muscles).

Or he was just crazy.

Or he said something else.

Oh, and there was a guy asking for change when I ran past. I usually just say “no”, but this one earned a “Now!?” I think, my outfit has space for about one coin, and it was taken by the key to my apartment.

Yay, adventures in training! Race week! Four days until New York marathon! I’m flying tomorrow. Can’t wait!

My “biggest” week of training for the NYC Marathon is done. I think I never did this much (outside of a training camp) within one week. Running amounted to more than 93 km, and my feet hurt a bit today. Maybe because my would be race shoes start falling apart… will get replacements tomorrow! Still enough time to break them in. Today in two weeks is the big day!

In other news, I’m still two race reports short: a half marathon from last week, and a local race yesterday. To be delivered soon!

Yes, today was another beautiful possibly last riding day of the year.

In reality, visible beyond the fog: the Alps.

Edit: you can actually see them if you know they’re there :)

Another of those “maybe last of the year” rides. Cold, cold feet but pretty, pretty weather! Going again tomorrow. I hope.

Perfect day to sharpen some tan lines (obviously, as I noticed afterwards). Last long training before Gigathlon next weekend: I’ll run in a Team of Five, Kaspar will be part of a couple.

The red line is exaggerating a little bit, but that curve really took me by surprise on my long ride yesterday. I came from the top right, and on the wet pavement I didn’t want to risk a crash so I just went straight, breaking until standstill. Crossing the opposite lane while doing so… thankfully no car was around!

It’s Tuesday. Since one week, this means: track time!

Today, we did this:

After the warm-up, a pyramid of 400/600/800/1000/800/600/400 metres; all as fast as possible. Awesome training to negative split each of the intervals, and great to see how to blow up (see: third interval).

To celebrate the occasion, these babies had their maiden flight:

My new Asics Gel-DS Trainer 16! Lighter than all shoes I’ve ever run with. I’ve immediately retired my Gel Nimbus and Cumulus (old, heavy and/or too small).

The intervals are really hard, but the fact that I would never do them on my own alone makes the Tuesday group worthwhile.