Four months have passed since my previous marathon in China. In the meantime, I have been struggling with osteoarthritis in my left knee, which has significantly limited my training. I have received physiotherapy, osteopathy and acupuncture, and most recently two PRF treatments, in which my own blood was centrifuged to concentrate certain components before being injected into my knee to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes.
With the odds not exactly in my favour, Karin and I travelled to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, this past weekend, where I once again took on the challenge of 42.195 kilometres.
Tallinn is a wonderful city with an exceptionally charming and well-preserved medieval Old Town, where cobbled streets, old merchants’ houses, churches and city walls create a very special atmosphere. We found the Estonians friendly and welcoming. We felt very much at home and had some really enjoyable days in the city.
The marathon through the streets of Tallinn and the surrounding area was extremely well organised in every respect. There were three brief spells of rain during the day, but they were only moderate and actually felt quite refreshing along the way.
For me, the goal was simple: to finish within the time limit. I made it – just. There was not much left in the tank towards the end, but I crossed the finish line.
And so, marathon number 91 of my life was completed – in country number 27 and capital city number 13.
I am ready for more, and further treatment of my knee has been arranged with a specialist. The strategy for my next goals is clear.
