Just venting

The ruins of Burg Hohenecken
at night

While I am out of the country I keep in touch with the running community mostly through Facebook. There is one thing that annoys me quite a bit about some of my fellow runners: the complaints about races not having medals, not being eligible for the 9+1 program, shirts being cotton instead of tech, etc. etc. I have a question: when did we stop running races for what they are? Events to compare you with your past performances and you with other runners, in short, events to compete. Where did this expection come from that a race also has to have bling, swag, or other non-sense? Yes, it would be nice to get something for your achievment but shouldn't the fact that you ran it and finish it be the most important reward? Well, that's what I think. Luckily there are plenty of runners that disagree with the spoiled folks which can be seen that even the most humble NYCRUNS and NYRR races get sold out. Phew!

I have been running a little bit through the Pfälzer Wald and I am still on for the 10k a few towns over. I am already working on my travel plans to get there.

Running in a different country

Shamelessly stolen from the Internet

I am going to Germany this coming Friday and won't be back until mid-January. My father was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer 18 months ago and the doctors just told him that the chemotherapy is not helping anymore. It's time for me to go over and see him one more (and last) time.

While I am there I am planning to keep running, though. If I understand my parents correctly, there is a lot of forest surrounding the town they live in (they recently moved so I am not quite familiar with their new hometown) which means, hopefully, a good deal of trail running, something I always wanted to try. I also got in touch with a local running club there and asked it it were okay to join them for their weekly group runs. Of course, it is okay. I guess I can bring my love for running with me and hopefully it will help me to get over hard moments a lot easier. I even staked out a race I could attend over there and found one close by for December 31st. The registration fee is a ridiculously low €6 but the runners do not get shirts or any other swag besides the bib. I am excited to attend this race and I hope my dad's health will hold long enough and he can come with me and watch and celebrate the new year one more time.

I am still taking my running very easy. I get out at most three times a week because my knee is still acting up. It actually hurts at a different spot now, so I assume I got the ITBS handled. I gave myself until the new year to see what's next: either straight into training for a half-marathon or the doctor's office. I hope it will be okay. I entered my name into the lottery for the 2014 NYC marathon, as well. One can always hope. I believe NYC residents get some kind of priority, but I could be wrong.