Heya, welcome back to Five Things Running!
My name is Nico, I’m a runner who likes to read about running - and I also like to share the five most interesting articles each week with you. So if you haven’t already, please subscribe to Five Things Running and also go paid, please. I put in lots of hours each week so that you can read the best articles.
One of our daughters, affectionately called K3 (we have 4 kids) gave me a special birthday present: she wanted to run the SportScheck Run Hamburg with me. Well, she ran at 7pm in the kids race and I ran at 8 pm for 15 km, which is twice around the River Alster, which looks like a lake, but still is a river. Also, it is in the middle of the city and a beautiful course. I run there a lot, as most runners in Hamburg do.
When we got into the corral, the announcer said we had to wait a few more minutes as the course was not yet cleared. So we waited and when the first drops of rain started to come down, the countdown for the race started as well. It rained like crazy for more than 30 minutes until it cleared up a bit again. I was happy I ran in my Hoka Tecton X, which gave me enough traction on the course that turned into muddy gravel with puddles. I managed to run a PB, which I attribute mostly to being able to run the course blindfolded.
If I remember correctly, I think K3 wants to run the 7,5 km with me next year and wants to do lots of training runs with me in the next 12 months. We’ll see. If she wants to run with me, I’m more than happy to do that, if not, than that’s fine as well.
At 10 pm the 7.5 km race started and again it started with a downpour just as the race was about to start. Summer in Hamburg can be tricky.
How to Run in the Heat Like the Pros
After weeks of rain it is supposed to get warmer here in Northern Germany, but probably not hot enough so that I need to follow a specific protocol. I guess I will just run early in the morning when it gets hotter and also I won’t attempt to run any ultras in the heat…
Why do I want to run a 100 mile race?
My longest distance was the marathon distance, but I’m always curious why people decide to run longer than that. Ali Lopez explains her why.
Your Slow is My Fast
Chris Z can’t run at the moment, so he gets a bit philosophical and discusses pace. I don’t care much about the pace other people run, but I always get a chuckle when people comment “nice pace” on my runs, especially when I just do a slow long run…
The Power of a Run Crew
“When athletes talk about running clubs they talk about the fun you have when running with friends, the power you can receive from having more accomplished athletes help push you, and the challenges they can help you face. What many athletes fail to mention, or experience, is the power of those amazing friendships.” - while I like running alone, it’s great to see how people get together to run together.
Laundry Runs: A True Connection
I like it when Zach Miller gets philosophical: “And so, as much as running is a way to compete with one another, it is also a way to connect. It is our laundromat and our black-hole, no-service trailhead. It’s ripe with opportunities to engage. Don’t miss out on the magic of it just because you’re too proud to ask for change.”
If you missed last week’s edition, you can read it here:
Now, go running!
— Nico
🏃🏻♂️
Always great to run with your own kids or just share something you love wit them.
Why do ppl want to run 100 miles? The same reason many people always want to earn another million.