Edelweiss

Edelweiss

Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me.

Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever.

This beautiful flower that grows in the highest mountain tops of the Alps is symbol of daring, courage and noble purity and I carry it to remember of my Transalpine goal. In fact it’s hanging on my Deuter Trans Alpine 25 backpack which I will take on my next Mountain Biking challenges. And adding to it’s historical symbolism it represents for me the pursue of my dreams and the long hard road in between.

Trans Alpine Backpack

Maybe someday it will raise to the honor of a Tattoo, who knows…

Flat Along the River

Another long ride to work on endurance, a longer and completely flat ride along the river but this time heading north. Started with a good relaxed pace and increased gradually until pushing it close to 160 bpm riding at 25-30 kph. I was a bit far away from the city so I saw almost no living soul for 20 kms, always with the river on sight and the way back with the light on since it quickly got absolute dark.

I felt a bit tired entering the last 20 kms but once I lowered the pace and chewed an energy bar I felt like going on for another hour maybe. This was the longest ride so far but on a completely flat route… absolutely nothing to do with the Alps, but I will be building some endurance during the winter and start with the altitude training when the snow clears.

I began to study the “Alpenüberquerung” described in my book and I learned the best timeframe for this adventure is from July to September and there are several different routes to choose from, based on difficulty, landscape beauty and stage length, but I will write a dedicated post with all the planning and preparation.

 

Training Graph - 20081027

The Alps, A Dream

As before when I was trying my best in the Mountain Biking world all kinds of thoughts came across my mind but this time I am a different person with different goals and in a different place.

I went out rolling for the first time (here), set the target for a 50km flat run in a low pace under 160bpm, I went to Starnberg and back, it’s a 20 minute car drive but a good full hour on a Mountain Bike and in my poor physical shape. It felt good and I know it will take some time until I feel prepared for my adventure(s) in the Alps but at the same time I can’t take my mind away from the work-related pending issues and all that is on stake. Nevertheless this Alpine adventure will set my pace, will change my routine and keep me focused on what I enjoy most doing in my free time.

Since I am not able to run anytime soon (at least for more than 15 minutes) due to my left knee issue, I have set a training plan based on cycling on- and off-road and some muscle training, along with a (more) balanced diet. I am starting with a 100km week plan which will eventually progress to a 200km optimal distance on a weekly basis.

There are still a lot of variables and constraints but as anything else, it starts with a dream, the Alps!

Here is yesterday’s training graphic, doesn’t look too bad, it is just the beginning.

 

Training Graph 1