After changing into running outfit, we left the official bag in the railway wagon, to be transported to the finishing point later.

A ten minute walk at a very slow pace brought us to the starting line. This year the starting point was on the highway, in front of the brand-new Uetliberg tunnel.

After changing, I put on an old T-shirt until start shot was fired 

This is the biggest marathon in Switzerland? 




Now it was the time to position myself to the expected running time. I choose position between 3h30 and 3h15 time. I wanted to run slightly slower than 5 minutes per km, as to be able to meet the training plan of next week - 105 km.

Where am I? Can you spot me, I could not. Maybe it's because I have only been looking at the front.



Ultra remarks:
I also buckled the belt bag on, because all the equipment I want to use for the Ultra has to be tested before. Now it showed that the bottle made a sore spot. Maybe I will make an extra pad on the belt or run without.....

8:30, how will my condition in relation to speed at finish be?  


We were one of the first to run through the tunnel before it will be opened to the traffic. First, if there wasn't the public festival the day before. The run was advertised as a golden opportunity, which one should not miss!



Ultra remarks:
..... The expensive socks with pads at the ankle also chafe and needs Compeed. I also tested a creme to prevent intertrigo, but it's advantage hasn't been proven so far. For that, there is also to decide if I shall run with baggies or tights....

Uetliberg-Tunnel was opened to traffic on Monday, 4. May 

Watching runners before turning point is quite interesting 




But I didn't enjoy it as advertised. As it wasn't raining, running without spectators along the tunnel wasn't a big deal.
Sure, this detour cut the Seefeld-loop, which was usually quite tiresome short before finish.



Ultra remarks:
....On the feet I know some weak spots which I will plaster with Compeed. As for the T-shirt, there is one that doesn't chafe skin under the arms - unlike some....

In spite of clouds at the start, I put on sunglasses 

Lake Greifensee is one of my favourite trainings 




I also bought a new toy, a running watch wit GPS. On Google Earth, position stamps mark covered way. The Garmin forerunner tells the speed and distance while running. Since I run with Garmin, variety makes training more interesting.

As power lasts only 6 hours, I'm not sure to run the Ultra with Garmin.

Google Earth map with position marks 

Zoomed in at the finish line, Garmin shows running data 




Running with 5 minutes per km, left my speed reserves untouched. About two minutes before finish I couldn't keep the horses any longer in the barn. So I sped up to 18 km/h, which is about as fast I can go. It felt very good to rush along spectators and overtaking others.

Being photographed, one tries to make an appropriate appearance in spite of exhaustion and gulping for breath. After all, each digital picture made by sportfotobank.ch will be reflected by €14 in the budget.



Ultra remarks:
.... I filled the belt bag bottle with water only to wash sticky fingers after grabbing Protein Bars. As there are plenty food and drink stops, one doesn't need to carry extra water. It would be a real joke if it wasn't a test for the Ultra....

Now I know why I put on sunglasses! 

The socks don't go well, but the end justifies the means 


So I finished some minutes earlier than intended, with 3h16.
It was an other experience not running for best time, but have a chat while running. Unlike 2009, I was in no rush while drinking or grabbing a bar from food stops.
The day after, a 10 km run told me I hadn't pushed to the limits, I kept my pace within sound limits.


Ultra remarks:
.... The running shoes are chosen, a sole without notches to prevent picking up stones.

Is this Funny, the man to the right is not clasping to me?