Most runners I know have a standard route they follow. It makes things easier: You know the length and hence how long it takes. You know all the dangerous bits. And you have optimised it for as little traffic light stops, parking cars, barking dogs, etc. as possible.
In Hamburg, there is a huge lake in the middle of the city, the Alster. As it is in the middle, it is pretty close to most people. There is a wide pedestrian path around it and it is pretty flat as well. It is about 7.4 km (4.6 miles) which is a challenging length for beginners but also a good length for doing multiple rounds without getting bored by the sight. So, in Hamburg everyone is talking about “Alsterrunden” (rounds around the Alster): It is the perfect spot for meeting friends (Let’s meet Krugkoppelbrücke for an Alsterrunde!), conversation (Oh, you are doing 3 rounds this weekend?) and of course competition (What was your fastest round?).
Here are my last two rounds from Sunday:
Adding the way from home to the lake and back again, 2 rounds are almost 21 kms (13 miles) – a half marathon. I cannot even guess how many rounds I have made around this lake. Since last Saturday, it have been 4 and another one will follow tomorrow morning.
Good night 😉
Jan! We need to get you some kind of media goggles that will play scenery to you (whilst guiding your steps so you don’t fall in the lake), it must feel like groundhog day! Barry says he has to run from somewhere TO somewhere different or he’d crack up… He’d better not come to Hamburg to train! Sounds like your on fire with training though! Well done xx
[…] client meeting tomorrow. But Barry’s message challenged me and I went for a round around the Alster – and came very close to my personal record. Good feeling – and exhausted in a […]