Running in late 20s

For sure I am going to write about the experience later. For now just wanted to tell you I did the marathon in 4:08. Not the bad time for this course and a first-time marathoner I reckon.

Swissalpine banners hanging above the streets, restaurants offer special marathon menu and almost every dialogue ends with "Have a great run!"

8k run along Zurich lake this morning. And what a great route for running it was. Heading to Davos tomorrow. Getting ready for Saturday. Stay tuned!

I have always enjoyed being active, tried several different sports in my life. I started Skiing at the age of eight. And waterskiing a few years after that. I used to play basketball in school (I have never enjoyed playing football, needless to say I have been always rubbish at it.) and I joined a basketball club for six months at the age of fifteen. Tennis was another sport that I gave a try, but that didn't last longer than several months either. I also trained Judo for six months, played squash for a year and a half and ended up with a twisted knee in 2010. I even joined a rugby club at the age of 26! and that was the best team sport I have ever tried, I was just a bit old to take it seriously though. Cycling was the only endurance sport I did before running and my best cycling achievement was 62-mile ride during Northern Rock Cyclone in 2009. In April 2012 I twisted my ankle while playing squash and could barely walk for a couple of weeks. The result was gaining about 10 kg

45 minutes easy run on a golf course this morning. Sharing the joy of running on damp grass with two little foxes. Marathon is getting closer. This time next week I will be at the start line!

With eight days remaining to Swissalpine marathon, I am already in tapering period. It simply means decreasing mileage and intensity of your runs and try to consume more carbohydrate and liquid during the last 4-5 days. So your body will have enough time to rest and recover your muscles.

Everyday there are quite a few excuses not to run. I'd rather run with no good reason, but for the sake of it!

This evening I ran with a 2:30 marathoner for a few minutes. He was only cooling down and I was struggling to keep up with him. Twelve days to my first marathon. And I can already feel the adrenaline rushing through my veins.

This is the route of   Swissalpine  marathon that I will be running on 28th.  C42  is one of the several  events  Swissalpine has organised for this year. 

Running in Tehran at 5am is a unique experience. When I was running on the pavement it was still dark and the only people on the streets were binmen and sweepers. As I left the main streets and ran around the park there were a few people exercising just before dawn. When the sun came up, the rush began. You could see the first group of people getting out the bus and make their way to work. An hour later, in another park there were quite few runners, some greeting, some cheering on you, and some prefer their own solitude. A few minutes past eight coming back home in a taxi, you could see the second wave of rush. I just wish I had my camera with me.

My longest run so far was scheduled today and I've done it. Sounds quite promising. Check out the map on "My runs" tab.

Gym has never been an exciting place for me to spend time in. I always found it boring and prefer not to go there. But these all changed three weeks ago when I started lifting some weights as cross training for running. After only three weeks I can see the result. I can run easier and farther. If you have never tried it, give it a go. It might work well for you too.

19 days left to my first marathon and I simply cannot wait. Hard training continues for the next 10-12 days. Long run scheduled tomorrow. Stay tuned!

1. Twisted my left ankle on Tuesday on a trail and was not able to run for a couple of days. Last night went for a short run. It is almost fixed. 2. Swissalpine marathon is only three weeks away now. Cannot wait for it.