Today, the third marathon of the year was completed, on the third continent of the year. It didn’t turn into long flights with changing several times zones this time. It was just two kilometers from my residence in my hometown.
Roskilde Marathon route 3 is a great race on paths and roads around Himmelev, Veddelev and Roskilde. We came through Himmelev forest, along the beach at Vigen and further along the Roskilde fjord. It was incredibly atmospheric on a beautiful midsummer evening.
The race was a half marathon with the start and finish at the same place. Once this was completed, the route was completed once more, but in the opposite direction.

After five years with four canceled “The Great Wall Marathon” due to the corona pandemic, it was great to come back and run on my “home track”. The temperature was extremely high, one of the hottest days the race has offered. But as always, it was a good and fantastic experience, completing the iconic race for the 21st time.

On the one-year anniversary of my previous marathon, it was finally time for the magical 42.195 kilometers again. The involuntary long break is due to surgery and several injuries. The new experience of a lifetime was the “Lost City Marathon” in Mexico. It was a fantastic day, but also a hard day. We started at 7 o’clock where the first three kilometers took us through the archaeological part of Palenque. There were stairs so it was almost like being at “The Great Wall” in China. Then we came to a relatively flat section with gravel uneven roads. After 15 kilometers we came to the section of trail that was hilly and muddy. I found a stick I could lean on in the most difficult places, just as with it I could test whether I could safely put my feet in certain places or whether I would plant my shoes in mud. Four times we had to cross the river with water up to our ankles. It was five very difficult kilometers. After the trail section, we had to climb a long way up a steep and hilly area. At the top, we got a wristband, after which we had to go back down. Now there were 10 kilometers to go, but in the sun behin extremely hot sunshine and without shade. I cramped my thigh a bit and therefore decided to take care of myself. I had previously fallen in a relatively harmless place. It looked bad with a lot of blood, but it wasn’t so bad now. I was in good time in terms of getting to the finish line on time, so I chose to go at a brisk trot and never had any problems with the time. I only had my sights set on getting to the finish line before the magical 8 hours. I didn’t want to force anything, but I wanted to reach the finish line whole and happy. I did that too 10 minutes before the time limit. It was an eventful day in a cultural area with happy local people on the route and animals of various kinds. The route offered 1000 meters of ascent and about 30 degrees. It was my marathon number 79 in country number 24, spread over all continents.

Today’s challenge was “Success Marathon” in Næstved. I got through and thus lived up to the name of the marathon.
The run was a quarter marathon that had to be completed four times. The runners themselves were responsible for timing and catering. Thus it was a Cannonball race.
It rained most of the day, but you only get wet once.
Some good food with red wine in the evening was good for me.

The first marathon of the year was completed today as far away from home as possible.

Again, it was the first edition of a race with Albatros Adventure Marathons, the 14th in the series.
First Light Marathon was held in Tairāwhiti Gisborne, Aotearoa New Zealand. Thus, on the world’s unofficial 8th continent, Zealandia. The name First Light Marathon says that we ran at the earliest thought time of day. The time zone was half a day ahead of my home country and 13 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). We started at 5:30.

I didn’t focus on a long-term injury, and I also put down the suitcase that hadn’t arrived. It was the race that mattered. I felt the injury a little, but made sure to take care of myself.
To that extent, the First Light Marathon was an adventure marathon. We went up and down mountains, over sandy beaches, experienced both strong wind and rain, and therefor also mud.
I finished just fine more than 40 minutes before the deadline. In fact, four male marathon runners finished after me.

Today I should have run the 10th marathon of the year. I have not previously run a double-digit number of marathons in a calendar year. It wasn’t supposed to be like that. I must leave 2022 with nine pieces in the “belt”, which is a tangent to 2003.
Maybe I have tightened the “bow” at the end of the year. A few weeks ago, I suffered a muscle injury that is putting my running on hold for the time being. I train at the gym, go to physiotherapy and acupuncture. I feel progress.

With serenity I look forward to 2023 when my first marathon is planned for January. After this, I will keep going all year and aim for a year without injuries. I will very go far in 2023, but not nearly so many times as this year, when I ran marathons in five countries on three continents.

I wish everyone a very merry Christmas.

From New York to Kalundborg is a difference. It does not change the fact that a marathon is 42.195 k wherever in the world it is run.
Today I ran the Advent Marathon in Kalundborg, a well-organized race where we went through woods and roads. Not least the eight stretches along the coast in fresh wind could be felt. The Danish autumn unfolded in its distinctively charming way.
After Huangyaguan in China, Kalundborg is the city I have run the most marathons in. Today was the second time this year and the seventh time in total.
5 Towers Exercise’s events can be recommended.

If you snooze you lose. My son, Steffen wake me up from snoozing and I immediately woke up. I had never dreamed of the New York City Marathon, but Steffen’s joining as an employee in the sports travel industry gave me an unexpected opportunity. Such an opportunity would not come again, so I had no qualms.
The marathon was a very great experience. I think I smiled all day. In the world’s largest metropolis, I was greeted by happy, festive people everywhere. The atmosphere had me running the whole time. Walking was not an option in this mood.
Participating in a World Marathon Major among 50,000 runners was quite special and one more experience of a lifetime that I have had so many of over the last 23 years. The fantastic race was also an anniversary for me, as it was the 75th time I completed the classic distance.

The provisional seventh marathon of the year was achieved today with the completion of the World’s Fastest Marathon ending in Granada, Spain.

 
With the race, I have the “plate” full of completion of all Adventure Marathon’s races. In 23 years, it has become 37 running trips, including 36 marathon trips and one adventure running trip. During the travels, I have completed 34 marathons and dropped out of two. Both were in South Africa that were completed in the third attempt. The travels with 14 different destinations have brought me to 14 countries on 5 continents.
An anniversary can be marked on this trip. This is my 40th trip with Albatros Travel spread over 16 countries in 27 years. Thus, there have been three holidays where the running gear stayed at home.I look forward to more experiences in the coming years.

Today I ran the sixth marathon of the year in the most beautiful Danish autumn weather. Not only was the weather beautiful. The Grønbro Run at Sandved in south-western Zealand was held in beautiful forest and rural surroundings.
STIF, which organized the race, offered a lavish supply depot, where absolutely nothing was missing.