Spring in the Tiergarten

Spring weather tempts the runner afield.

Today I selected my small rucksack and filled it with a bottle of water containing a little magnesium, a spare lightweight jacket, a small camera, a pair of specs, a spare hat, a telephone (just in case), my pensioners train ticket and a €10 banknote. Then I set off.

I was gone 3 hours (plus 40 mins there and back on the train).

My run/jog/walk route was over an undulating 21-23 kms with 300-400 mtrs total ascent around the Lainzer Tiergarten, a walled area of parkland, inhabited by wild pigs, and situated to the south-west of Vienna.

A promising run for the month of March!

a signpost points the way

looking back after 6kms

10 kms into the run

Wienerblick - Vienna View - the Japanese emperor stood here in 2002

finally - the train home

Cross country series - final race

The final race of the 4-race Vienna Cricket & Football Club's Cross Country Series took place today. Having already competed over the long (9.35 km) and middle (5.75 km) distances I elected to run in the short sharp and sweet 3.95 km event.

There was a blustery wind and I got off to my usual slow start but picked up the pace as the laps unfolded. I believe I finished 2nd M60* in a reasonable time.

Result:

01 - S Listabarth . . . . . . . . . 13:25

20 - O Rupp - 1stM60 . . . . 18:09

25 - G Almer - 2ndM60 . . . 20:34

26 - G Williams - 3rdM60 . 20:51

30 finishers

*3rdM60 as it turned out

Winter cross-country series

The photographs, from today's 9.35 km race, show the Vienna Cricket and Football cross country course under snow.

Participants and organizers were, as the blue sky testifies, blessed with glorious sunshine; the temperature hovering at about -5 C in the shade for the third episode of the 2011/12 Winter series.

After warming up for 15 minutes for the 5.75 km race I discovered that I would be able to run without jacket and gloves and so I discarded these items, although I decided stick with the other layers; elasticated shorts both over and under the running pants and knee-length thermal socks underneath - precautions against the proverbial early-season muscle injury.

I don't possess a pair of spikes so I elected to run in my NB fell-running shoes. They coped very well apart from one or two icy patches and some compressed snow sections.

some tight bends

a rare sight today - bare legs

a runner entering the straight

the sprint for line

ticking off the laps

5.75 km Result:

1. W Wallner 20:48

14. O Rupp M60 28:17

18. G Almer 2M60 31:33

19. G Williams 3rd M60 31:40

20 finishers

1 DNF

A break in the weather

The halfway stop

Something strange in the woods

The Exelberg Road

The Sophienalpe Path

The Hohe Wand path

Mauerbach ski slope

Snow boarders

Ski school

The end of the trail - Hadersdorf

Finally, as you can see, it was warm enough to get out for a run. It's been exactly a week since the severe weather descended upon Central and Eastern Europe. Running soon began to become a mere memory - getting more distant by the day. And so today's window of opportunity was not to be missed.

The run/jog/walk (depending on underfoot conditions) took me about 3 hours but that included a midway 25-30 minute stop for a nourishing bowl of hot potato soup and a mug of warm cider.

I've no idea why the flamingoes and the giant mouse are hanging in the trees.

I don't do much road running as a rule but today I wanted to get on the hill in a hurry so I ran up the serpentines of the Exelberg Road. At this time of year there is very little traffic. In spring these hills with their sharp bends will be the domain of the motor biking fraternity.

Cross Country as Preparation

The idea behind this bit of exercise was to continue with the preparation for the forthcoming mountain and trail-running season and at the same time assess my current level of fitness.

In the first photo, taken prior to my event, I am holding my thumbs which is the Austrian version of crossing one's fingers. The temperature is -3C and there is an easterly breeze.

Most of the photos below are from the race immediately prior to mine; but the courses of all the races, I think there were four runs over various distances, cover basically the same ground.

In my race we had to run 9 laps to complete the race distance of 9.35 kms.

holding my thumbs

the leaders

firm track underfoot . . .

some sharp bends

the long straight

race control hut and spectators

checking the results

receiving my prizes!

Result

1. G Kerschbaumer (Austria Int. Orienteering Team) 32m 54s

32. G Willams (Clayton Harriers) 2M60 47m 52s

As a veteran runner, all too rapidly approaching 65, I was pleased with my time in such elite company.

Over the fields and into the woods

You are not alone in the woods

The first major event of Vienna's 2012 running season, the Wien Energie Halbmarathon, is now being prominently advertised. I took the photo of a race advertisement posted near the start of today's training run. I will definitely not be running in the half marathon sponsored by the local electric company race because the route is bound to be 100% tarmac and I'm a 100% off-road trail runner. I figure my running legs will last much longer if I treat them with some respect. As my good friend JS often says: Tarmac is for tyres. And, of course, he's 100% right. Nevertheless the poster shows that spring will soon be on the way and it makes me feel good.

Now join me on a typical training run. I'll be going quite fast. Yesterday was a regeneration day. The day before yesterday was 45 mins of hill reps.

Spring is on the way!

Map showing Hameau area

A bright day and good trails

Frost in the shadows

Approaching the hills

The first climb

Snow on the tops

The next valley - Weidlingbach

Climbing again

Clouds looming - time to head back

The maps, such as the one in the third photo down, can be found all over Vienna. If you stick to the red routes you will meet other runners. They are probably useful routes for timing oneself and checking progress for those so inclined.

My favoured method is to base training runs around recommended routes, touching them now and again, but quickly veering off into the wilderness. I like to share the spirit of the nature with the animals.

One of the pleasurable highlights of today's run was the sight of a robin enjoying himself in the sunshine, playing in a pool of melting ice aside my path.