What a journey… in and out of Liechtenstein. (Wait for it…)
First, crossed the Netherlands/ Deutschland border, then Deutschland/Austria border. Spent the night in Bregenz (and caught a glimpse of the Bodensee), woke up to Swiss highways before we end up in Bendern in time for the 42.195km hike up 1787m! On the way back home, we breeze through the Swiss highways through St Gallen and later brace the “storm” of construction works along German highways before arriving in Twello, Home sweet Home, @ 2am 17 June 2018.
The run/hike/jog was … Legend – Daaary
Never mind the pace that i was walking in, and the position i was placed at, (making me the youngest woman placed in the speed of the oldest woman category – enough #Mondaymotivation), but i truthfully and thoroughly enjoy this run/ hike/ jog. “Run” at the first 10km, “Hike” the rest of it but “Jog” when my body allows me (or when the ego gets the better of the Body! – Ive got to say the ego has a mind of its own! #itstrue)
They say, one can only laugh at one-self.
The Route
The first 10km was almost flat. Makes for a good run, and probably got carried away running a HM pace at the start. 😛 “consistent running thrown out-of-the-window”
Then the climb starts, and i imagined a gradient of at least 10% on certain climb between the 15th to 20th km.
The descend towards 25km + was a “happy” one… well, true for the runners of the 25+ category, but the FM runners marched on. By this time, pace was starting to fall and exhaustion kicked in. As the elevation increases, and with the walking status, the body starts getting rather cold.
The climb at 32km was the steepest and most rewarding. When completed, i knew i am going to finish.
And the most welcomed part of the route, a downhill towards finish line! .
Note to self – must wear trail running shoes!
The View
Breathtaking.
More so, because i hiked it. It is the first race where i pause, and soaked in the postcard perfect view of the Rhine Valley and the Alps. One can only dream of its beauty.
The Experience
Different. Before, During and After the race.
Before – “I hope it doesn’t hurt like Bromo Marathon”
During – Yes it hurts, but the view was a great distractor to an otherwise sober hike.
After – Checked. Done and dusted, and i just want to get my hands on the fattiest of food, and lay horizontal.
In conclusion, good training miles.
The Company
Gertjan.
Irreplaceable.
The organisation
8/10 ! Hands down.
10/10 with a crystal Finisher Medal. -wink-
My most vivid memory is of Karl Otto. I may risked NOT finishing if it wasn’t for his sweater. It got cold at km33 😦
Some memories from the run
Source:
https://worldsmarathons.com/de/marathon/lgt-alpin-marathon#route
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGT_Group
meysrunningjourney.com 