64km German Champion Ship Ultratrail at the Maintalultra, Germany

Today was bringing up a small highlight. This years German Championship at Ultratrial was in Veitshöchheim. Veitshöchheim is a small city next to Würzburg. So we had an home match and need only a 30 minute drive to get there. The start of the 64km was at 7:30am. Hence, we could sleep long and still had no stress. Already when we are looking for a parking slot, my wife and I saw some friends. First I picked up my bid, then I used the rest of the time to talk with some friends.

Just past 6:30am we went for the check in. This was a required step for each runner since there were rules concerning the equipment during the race. It was checked, if each runner carries enough drinks, a mobile, a cup as well as a medical emergency set. Just before we started there was a short speech. Then we finally started. As I knew that my condition was not so well, I started slowly. Also Florian started slowly and we ran the first kilometers together. Aid stations were set up every ten kilometers. Only between the last two aid stations it was shorter. To protect the environment there are no cups served for drinking. But that did not mean there was not enough variety. There was plenty sweets, salty and fruity snacks as well as enough drinks. The course was, as suspected, always an up and down. Most time we are running on nice and small trails at the woods, which run in serpentines on the hills. Here we gained very beautiful views onto the valley of the river Main. After we finished half way we continued running on the fields on the top of the hills for a while. But it was not too long and that we are running in sunshine. Since Florian went shortly into the bushes, I was in front of him. But not for a long time. At kilometer 27 he passed me. Shortly I caught up at the following aid station, but in the end he was far in front of me. Everything was running smoothly for myself till kilometer 40. Then I felt the missing condition, which was not surprising since I had trained much to less kilometers.

After we had arrived at the finish line we were sitting together. Also Florians parents came over to Veitshöchheim since it was not far away. We did not stay till the award ceremony. On the one hand it was late, at 7:30pm. On the other hand, we did not have any chance for a top three placement anyway.