Our columnist is a runner through and through. Nevertheless, he recently decided to take part in a bicycle race. 100 kilometers through Denmark. What made him do it.
Let’s put it this way: I’ve never been the smartest runner on the planet. And to be honest, I probably won’t be in this life either. I like challenges far too much for that, and I have to live with the risk that not everything I do is necessarily healthy.
Now I’m a runner through and through. In fact, nothing fascinates me more than running. Actually. For some time now, however, I’ve been seeing posts on social networks – from acquaintances or professional runners – that inspire me. Sometimes surprised.
Mike Kleiß has been doing sports since he was a child. “If you move, you achieve more” is his motto in life. Running was always his favorite topic. He has been running between 15 and 20 kilometers almost every day for the past seven years, often in marathons and sometimes in ultra marathons. So far, our columnist has published two books on running. He is the founder and managing director of the communications agency GOODWILLRUN. Mike Kleiß lives with his family in Hamburg and Cologne. He writes about running here every Thursday.
Although they are die-hard runners, not joggers but partly ultra runners, they are getting on their bikes more and more. Either to recover from a running injury and still need exercise, or also – like the ultra fun runner Florian Neuschwander – to give her training a new color. Variety is announced. Alternative sports to strengthen your own body. Build other muscle groups, provide relief and recovery.
Even though cycling was never my focus, I always looked up a little jealously at those who had calves like mountains. Not just trained legs, but a completely shapely body. I also often asked myself: how can people like you and me climb Mont Ventoux on a bike, for example?
Years ago I rode a simple training tour with former professional cyclist Kai Hundertmarck. The click pedals alone scared me at the time. And yet: I found this and other bike training sessions exciting for several reasons: My knee joints were finally allowed to recover, but I still had an enormous training effect.
To experience the speed and nature in a completely different way was something. Slipstream driving, when you can’t do it anymore, a special form of sports camaraderie. Above all, the idea of competition always inspired me. I’ve only ridden a bike race once – that time through the Bergisches Land near Cologne. It went 80 kilometers up and down again and again. I dragged myself the last ten kilometers to the finish. My reserves were completely used up, although I had eaten and drunk enough. All grains were still used up.
I hung onto a friend’s rear wheel for the last five kilometers. Without him I might have just been relegated. At that time I swore to myself: never again! I’ll never give myself that again. It was very clear to me: I’m just a runner. No cyclist. This agreement with myself lasted a few years – until I read an acquaintance’s post a week ago.
He had registered for an amateur race around the Danish island of Ærø. You can choose how far you want to go. 100 kilometers is the longest distance. He admitted in his post that he wasn’t sure if he would get through it – because he hadn’t trained at all for this challenge. To make it short: This post grabbed me. Very. And suddenly it was clear to me: The cycle race in the Bergisches Land needed a refresher.
A decision was also made quickly: It is essential that the 100 kilometers are also driven. In the last few months I’ve ridden 40 or 50 kilometers from time to time, now it’s out. Yes, even as a runner. So I hope that I can also cope well with double the distance. Ever since I registered for the race, I’ve asked myself again and again: why are you actually doing this? Why are you breaking a taboo again at this point? So why does it have to be 100 kilometers? And why don’t you finally get sensible for once?
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Of course, the answer came to me while running! I’ve been listening more and more into my body for some time now. After the pulmonary embolism and Corona, he finally wants to be challenged again. He also cries out for a change, for alternative training. There is also one important point: I feel that I need a challenge – as I have in the last few years. A new goal, something that rejuvenates my body.
Of course, running can do all of that, but I’m firmly convinced that we need fresh impetus from time to time. Physically and also mentally. If we want to develop – and this applies to almost every situation in life – then we have to move. Then we should venture into new territory from time to time.
In order for us to develop, we need new stimuli and ideas, new goals and challenges. Even if you don’t know where it’s going. Even if you’re not sure if it’s really healthy. Some things you just have to do.
To broaden your horizons.
That’s how it works.
Read all of Mike Kleiß’s columns here.
