Running 1000km (620 miles) this year for Charity
- Thread starter acjy1985
- 43 comments
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- 222
- UK
- acjy1985
^^^
Have fun, don't miss an apex!
Ha. Thanks for the support. You joke about not missing an apex but that is one of the hardest things to do whilst running a circuit. The racing line is by no means the fastest line when you are on foot and it takes me a lot of effort to remind myself that I do not need to move to the right-hand side of the track when there is a left turn coming up!
- 222
- UK
- acjy1985
The Nurburgring has been done. Read the blog, maybe donate a little. I will be doing a bit of a write up in the near future! http://runchallenge1000.blogspot.com/
- 3,043
- The Netherlands
- MarcoM1972
Incredible. The long straight must have been horrid. Congratulations on you being an auntie!
On another note, I started running too today. I tried it a couple of weeks ago, but then first my left lower leg muscle gave trouble and two weeks after that the same happend on the right side. I gave up on running. But tonight it went without pains. So there's hope.
On another note, I started running too today. I tried it a couple of weeks ago, but then first my left lower leg muscle gave trouble and two weeks after that the same happend on the right side. I gave up on running. But tonight it went without pains. So there's hope.
- 1,025
- themartlab
Good luck and good running!
I ran 410km since May 1st and will keep running even this winter.
I ran 410km since May 1st and will keep running even this winter.
- 222
- UK
- acjy1985
So, on Friday 31st August we packed up the car and headed for Dover. After sailing across to Dunkerque we hit the road for (what should have been) a 4hr drive to the Nurburgring. Our accommodation would be the Camping am Nurburgring. This is conveniently located close to the circuit but it is very expensive. 13euros per person per day does not sound much but as that charge is per day, a 2 night stay means a 3 day charge. 39 euro per person for 2 nights seemed a lot. Add to the fact that when we arrived it was raining very heavily, the ground was a thin layer of grass and then just stones so the tent pegs did not go in and the wind meant the tent pegs that we did get in got instantly pulled out. Finally after much anger, practice, very near crying and teamwork we finally got the tent up. We unloaded the car and then headed to the Nurburgring to register for our run.
This was where all the horrendous experience of putting up the tent became worth it. The area at the circuit was very busy with people coming to register for all of the different events going on but it was so well organised that it didn't matter. We picked up our timing chip and on our race number there were 4 vouchers. One for our starters pack which consisted of some Oreos, some energy bars and gels, a massive iced coffee and some other goodies. We collected these and then saw our voucher for free Pasta that evening so we wandered over got a plate of pasta, tomato sauce and cheese and went off to eat it. Whilst eating we saw another of our vouchers for ....wait for it.. a free beer! This alone was worth all the hassle with the tent. So, satisfied with pasta and beer we headed back for a night in the tent which was mostly spent being scared it would fall down during the windy and wet night.
Saturday 1st September arrived and we got up at about 6:15am to get dressed and have breakfast and head back to the circuit for the 8:45am start.
This photo shows it was wet, misty and it was also pretty cold for the start
We warmed up for a bit after taking in our surroundings and then lined up for the start. The route is exactly the same as the Nurburgring Type V route in Gran Turismo 5 for those of you who use it. So we have a couple of kilometers on the Grand Prix circuit before hitting the Nordschleife.
We weren't there to race, just to complete the run and enjoy it. It looks hilly on GT5, it feels hilly in a car but the hills take on a whole new meaning on foot!
The sun started to come out after around 20 minutes of running which made it so much nicer. I was running with a backpack on so I was able to carry a camera with us.
We of course had to get the photo running through Karrusel, although on foot it is very wise to avoid the banking
The hardest part for me was the section after Karrusel. You have a massive uphill section leading to this famous corner, then once you are through it there is another climb which gets very steep. Thankfully at the top there was another water stop which had water, banana, energy bars, Pepsi, apple juice and some weird pink sports drink!
The second most difficult part for me was the last 4 kilometres. You come round the long right hand bend and are faced with another famous sight, the Audi gantry which for many Ringers is where they stop the clock. The gantry is a welcome sight but the enormous straight up to the Bilstein bridge is daunting and not particularly flat
After the Bilstein bridge there were just a few corners and one short, sharp hill back up to the GP circuit.
So, 24,4km and 2hrs 28mins after setting off we reached the finish. We got a lovely finishers' medal and if you were paying attention earlier you will know I only mentioned 3 of the 4 vouchers we got given. Well, the 4th one was the most gratefully received one. After crossing the finish line, we headed for an Erdinger beer tent where we exchanged our voucher for 500ml of Erdinger alcohol-free beer. I have never been a fan of 0.0% beers but this tasted great and it was free and it felt like a beer. So we sat it one of the pit garages with an apple, beer and a bar of Milka chocolate each.
Here is the medal, my wife's start number and of course the beer
In true fashion, I have my GPS trace of the run which will look incredibly familiar to most people on this site.
We were not there to race and we ran together the whole way (apart from when I ran on ahead to get the photo at Karrusel. My wife finished 82nd out of 201 women which she was very pleased with.
I urge anyone who loves cars, Gran Turismo and the Nurburgring to get fit and run this. You don't have to be super fit to complete the run as you get a surprising amount of support from spectators and other runners. It is a great challenge and a beautiful circuit and area. The organisation was exceptional as well which added to the enjoyment.
This was where all the horrendous experience of putting up the tent became worth it. The area at the circuit was very busy with people coming to register for all of the different events going on but it was so well organised that it didn't matter. We picked up our timing chip and on our race number there were 4 vouchers. One for our starters pack which consisted of some Oreos, some energy bars and gels, a massive iced coffee and some other goodies. We collected these and then saw our voucher for free Pasta that evening so we wandered over got a plate of pasta, tomato sauce and cheese and went off to eat it. Whilst eating we saw another of our vouchers for ....wait for it.. a free beer! This alone was worth all the hassle with the tent. So, satisfied with pasta and beer we headed back for a night in the tent which was mostly spent being scared it would fall down during the windy and wet night.
Saturday 1st September arrived and we got up at about 6:15am to get dressed and have breakfast and head back to the circuit for the 8:45am start.
This photo shows it was wet, misty and it was also pretty cold for the start
We warmed up for a bit after taking in our surroundings and then lined up for the start. The route is exactly the same as the Nurburgring Type V route in Gran Turismo 5 for those of you who use it. So we have a couple of kilometers on the Grand Prix circuit before hitting the Nordschleife.
We weren't there to race, just to complete the run and enjoy it. It looks hilly on GT5, it feels hilly in a car but the hills take on a whole new meaning on foot!
The sun started to come out after around 20 minutes of running which made it so much nicer. I was running with a backpack on so I was able to carry a camera with us.
We of course had to get the photo running through Karrusel, although on foot it is very wise to avoid the banking
The hardest part for me was the section after Karrusel. You have a massive uphill section leading to this famous corner, then once you are through it there is another climb which gets very steep. Thankfully at the top there was another water stop which had water, banana, energy bars, Pepsi, apple juice and some weird pink sports drink!
The second most difficult part for me was the last 4 kilometres. You come round the long right hand bend and are faced with another famous sight, the Audi gantry which for many Ringers is where they stop the clock. The gantry is a welcome sight but the enormous straight up to the Bilstein bridge is daunting and not particularly flat
After the Bilstein bridge there were just a few corners and one short, sharp hill back up to the GP circuit.
So, 24,4km and 2hrs 28mins after setting off we reached the finish. We got a lovely finishers' medal and if you were paying attention earlier you will know I only mentioned 3 of the 4 vouchers we got given. Well, the 4th one was the most gratefully received one. After crossing the finish line, we headed for an Erdinger beer tent where we exchanged our voucher for 500ml of Erdinger alcohol-free beer. I have never been a fan of 0.0% beers but this tasted great and it was free and it felt like a beer. So we sat it one of the pit garages with an apple, beer and a bar of Milka chocolate each.
Here is the medal, my wife's start number and of course the beer
In true fashion, I have my GPS trace of the run which will look incredibly familiar to most people on this site.
We were not there to race and we ran together the whole way (apart from when I ran on ahead to get the photo at Karrusel. My wife finished 82nd out of 201 women which she was very pleased with.
I urge anyone who loves cars, Gran Turismo and the Nurburgring to get fit and run this. You don't have to be super fit to complete the run as you get a surprising amount of support from spectators and other runners. It is a great challenge and a beautiful circuit and area. The organisation was exceptional as well which added to the enjoyment.
- 3,043
- The Netherlands
- MarcoM1972
Well, due to my length I have problems in my back from time to time. My physiotherapist advised on walking. I translated that to running. My bad.
Last week my lower right leg suffered again. I must be wise and listen to my body. It's trying to tell me something.
Funny thing is that when I run in the gym, I have no problems. Probably due to the lack of obstacles and an extremely constant pace. Oh well.
acjy1985, did not mean to post at the same time as you did. It just happened. Nice read about the Nordschleife run.
Last week my lower right leg suffered again. I must be wise and listen to my body. It's trying to tell me something.
Funny thing is that when I run in the gym, I have no problems. Probably due to the lack of obstacles and an extremely constant pace. Oh well.
acjy1985, did not mean to post at the same time as you did. It just happened. Nice read about the Nordschleife run.
- 3,244
- Michigan
- Shoe_67
MarcoM
You should definitely listen to your body. I used to run around 95-100km per week. I am a committed distance runner, and I know that sometimes you will get pains, then after a week or so, they go away. I injured my knee really bad I march and just started walking 4 weeks ago because of not listening to my body. It's one of the worst experiences of my life. Also, it could be that you don't properly warm up or stretch? Also, cool downs will help unbelievably. Try doing a short distance (a mile or so) at a really low pace. See how it is
