Small Kobolt - How was the pain? The pain goes - is the pride? Well, therefore I would soon be mighty proud - if the pride is in direct relation to the pain.
Now I can already get in under 2 minutes from the bed to the bathroom and when I move more, like this 50 meters at a stretch is it any better.
Yesterday around 15:00 am I got together with Tom to the finish. 28 h, we were gathered together and had pain and suffering and shared each other motivated and supported. Thanks Tom, was' ne great thing.
At 11:00 we were started the day before in Koblenz. Antje had driven me, actually I wanted to travel by train but by car it was convenient. Our friend Joachim run "Josi" Siller had chosen the path for getting from Mainz and had taken the same train as me. But unfortunately, his train is delayed and "my" train had not waited so that he thus could not run with unfortunately. Very sad Josi.
were against but our problems to find the starting point is negligible. There we met Tom, Michael and the rest of the insane. Of the 25 declared runners were still 17 left. When the starting number was still properly control the mandatory equipment (I like that, usually, the only so threatened, not made, see Marathon des Sables). After a short briefing we were off route. Most went to my amazement as the same as the fire department. Tom and I held back and were walking in the back third. First, it was time for us to get used to the signs. I knew this but our Bretzelwetzer-Rheinsteig hikes, but over the pace is something different than the rambling step. We have also in the official pathfinding Bretzelwetzern yes, which one must run just behind :-).
The Rheinsteig trail signs is really excellent, but it applies: "Eyes on when buying eggs." And which is not really always succeeded.
After the first 15 km we have been able to find relief that the conditions were not as bad as feared. Although there was snow, so running is more tiring, but the snow was very crisp and well and running. Only on steep sections it was often a bit slippery. But luckily I had my sticks with. It was not sooo cold as the days before and during movement was to hold out quite well. I am the complete range in the same clothes have gone through and used by the AC / extra clothing in backpack and Dropbag nothing. Thus, the
ran km to to the first board at km 35 quite well. A few times we had "lost" and thus has about 3 km, in addition to the account. Most of it went like this, it trots in front of him, you realize suddenly that you have seen long time no shield and runs back to the last marker. And another 500 m to much. Or you walk behind someone who is wrong. So we are once walked a few hundred yards behind Andrew, who suddenly turned left. We naturally without thinking behind. To Andreas at once, after about 1000 m, irritated stopped - and so do we. And back again.
As it was getting dark, we arrived at VP first There, waiting for one of the organizers, Andrew, with his on us Buffet. So, I must say it that is in the invitation, there is only water, tea and soup, you've been driving quite a bit. It was everything you could wish for ultra heart, that is, no gels or bars, but real food, like pretzels, chocolate, sweets, biscuits, sausage, etc. And of course, soup, broth, cola, root beer, tea ... At
VP 1, we met again Andrew and Hans-Peter, who could beat our 3 km detour with its 7 km (which should have given us food for thought - later).
We walked further along with Andrew, what way-find-was very good technically, because Andrew was very attentive. And he was well equipped. As Tom said so well: What's better than a headlamp? Two headlamps. Because Andrew had to. The telling, we found that we, Andrew and me, had overtaken 3 months ago the same fate. We had been sitting together with 1000 other runners in a hall in Chamonix and waited for the start of the TDS.
ran So, we went together to trudge VP 2 - among other things, quite steep, secured by ropes, which were the basis of the ground a little tricky.
The good thing was always where to go high, it is also down again. And the Rhine is not a high mountain climbing. So you have about 200 - 300 hm always necessarily a downward passage at which you will - mostly to recover.
to 22 clock we came together VP 2 at. There were 6 runners assembled, 2 of them got out of here. And Andreas, it was not good, he had problems in the foot, so that Tom and I ran on alone. Relatively soon after we came to a fork VP2 that was not posted, back then. On the way back we came to meet Hans-Peter, who said, according to his GPS was this the right way. Unfortunately, we could convince us of this and ran with. Still no sign, but according to GPS, we were right on the track. So going further with the GPS, which Hans-Peter, what he revealed to us after 20 minutes, had for a week. Uaaaahhh. But then, after 5 km Rheinsteig finally another sign - we were back on track and 100 m in front of us - 2nd VP Yippee.
(subsequent to John's vindication: As I have just learned, was changed in this area in May, the track and it seem even more outdated GPS tracks in circulation declares result, also, that after a few km a lonely Rheinsteig. characters have seen).
We then started to leave us on our eyes, which we barely managed as a right. Morally, something cracked so we went on his way to VP 3, which should be at km 87th We planned to be so at 3:00, but we were not progressing so well. Once the track was too heavy to run in a reasonably good pace, on the other we always had again with little tricks in there. Interestingly, mostly in the villages. They will automatically paying attention, probably because you suddenly feel more secure. Interestingly, it was also hit at night by Linz at 3:00 to walk and to young people who went straight home. Funny faces have made.
clock at 4:00, we arrived at VP3, where our Dropbags were deposited. I packed a change of clothes, all from the backpack into the Dropbag and filled only on my Peroninvorrat. After that, my backpack was nice and light. As we were about to leave, said Andreas in to VP3. He was sitting at the station in drake and ask if he could pick up someone. The foot had a run not to grow.
Tom and I continued to run and went on his way to Erpeler Ley. According to this route briefing should be mounted as part of the way, what we were naturally good. This showed that a glance at the map would have been smart. Because we should be so high and just back down. So on the same path. But we are down a different route and arrived after about 2 km - Attention Deja Vue - 200 m above 3 at VP. But now we knew already, and made us on the 2nd attempt. But this time without the climb.
Slowly we began again to be expected. How far could it be, as far as we are officially gone, because in Toms Garmin We could count any more. Very confusing here was a signpost, on the stand "Honnef 11.9 km. If the vote would, we would have again fallen behind track technically about VP3 back. I just looked at me again on the map, the sign is almost on the outskirts of Honnef, why there is 11.9 km is beyond me and for our morale it was not just beneficial. We beat us, then on through, about 8 clock the sun came up and after climbing the Lion's Castle, we came to VP4 at 10:00 clock. Again, the supply was again unique and caring. Officially, now at km 115, according to Garmin about at 128 So another 25 km and 6 hours. Should provide, if nothing goes wrong!
a bit but what is gone wrong. After climbing to the Drachenfelsen we came down to the milk house, where we missed probably the branch (But I heard later that was also found difficult. YES! So we were back on unmarked route and interviewed two cyclists. The thought that we are already working and should just keep running and keep left. Unfortunately, we got a 2nd opinion and asked a pedestrian on the direction of Peter Berg. The told us to Peter Berg, it would be pretty far and that would be the wrong direction. So back again. the milk house, we found the right way and ran it for 500 meters and then come back to the wrong way out. So we decided to back the tip of the cyclists to follow. After a short time led the way in fact of the Rhine climb, but we did not know in which direction we had to run. After a short discussion and study of maps, we chose a direction (three guesses ...). While Tom still labored on his shoes, I ran ever before and after a few meters, it went steeply up to Geisberg. When I was almost on top of Tom came down and we discussed first in the distance. Tom said that he had ever run up the mountain with Rolf Mahlburg. But Rolf the Rheinsteig runs in the opposite direction. So I said, "if you're running up the hill, we have to get off, and ran down again. Below, we looked again at the map, discussed and - :-) - ran again. As above, we then saw the sign 'milk house 800 m' was clear: we have used for 800 m an hour. But at least we know now back where we had to run. And from here we have not run to the finish!
It was therefore more on the Petersberg, where I explained a few uncomprehending wall, which we continue to Bonn around toward the target. Furthermore, constantly up and down, but not so bad. The last few km were very tough and painful, the run rate dropped dramatically in the plane. But emerged as the first Bonn-distance signs, we knew we could do it and started the same again, be expected if we could stay under 28 hours. Around 14:30 we arrived in Bonn Beuel and still needed all 25 minutes for about 3 km to the finish.
came after 27h 57min, official and unofficial 155 km 140.5 km we finally happy and broke on to the Fitness Center, where the organizers had rented a room. There we were greeted with great excitement. As expected, there was everything you could wish for and a lot of care and encouragement.
After shower, ceremony and a bit of experience (who has run out and how) I Toms Gabi has kindly gone to the station where I was able to Mainz ICE grab a seat on the floor in front of the toilet. And I just got drunk tomorrow my coffee from my new Kobolttasse, I realized that that's true with pride. Now just have to go the pain.
What insights remain?
- I can run 150 km at a stretch
- I can run 28 hours at a stretch
- I could survive by Powerbar Ride Shots and Peronin (I think)
- It pays sometimes to look at the map
- It should not be increasingly rely on technology
and above all
The little goblin is a great ride, nice and organized person, by runners for runners, very demanding, an absolute house number. I felt very comfortable and will determined to come back. The most tricky places I know her now. And next year, so each branch is also sprinkled with sawdust, I have heard. But you can really ask ;-)
still current photos. All 
a week sewing abstinence is clearly too long ... That has to change soon (-:. 
