Dancing with Witches - Hexentanz 2016

April 2016 found me running another event in the Hexenstieg series of ultra/endurance events.  After completing the 216KM Hexenstieg after a number of previous runnings in 2015 I decided to give the Hexenstieg’s little brother, the Hexentanz or Witch’s Dance a go this year.  A 100KM distance is a good building block as you into the running season – you would think.

Yes, you would think…  What’s 100KM?  It’s 61 miles.  Comparing it to other 100KMs events that I’ve participated in one would think that, although certainly not a give away or a speed event, it would be one that “would be a good training event along the way”.  Surprise!  We should have known better.  Michael Frenz (RD) always has something up his sleeve during each of the fantastic events he hosts throughout the year, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

On 22 April I traveled to Osterode am Harz.  With a quick stop in Goettingen at the Anstalt for a coffee and surprise starter bag the trip was fun and easy.  I got into Osterode in the early evening and joined my roommate and running partner Lutz.  As in past years, the headquarters for the Hexen Events was located at the Hotel Harzer Hof.  The Hotel Harzer Hof is rated as a simple three star location.  In my mind, Stephan, the owner/operator and his team merit five stars.  The entire Harzer Hof team bent over backwards to cater to this series of events and their guests.  Top notch! 

Race check in was well organized, quick and easy.  After getting checked in I spent some time catching up with Lutz and organized my kit for the race the following morning.  That evening Stephan served a delicious buffet meal catering to vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters alike. 

Saturday morning arrived overcast and slightly cooler compared to the previous beautiful spring day on Friday.  At about eight we boarded a bus to make the trip to the Sport Center in Thale from where we were to start.  When we arrived in Thale thirty-six of us lined up, had a quick photo made and then headed off for our adventure into the Harz.

Lutz and I had decided to “go easy” at this ultra and to use it as a training event.  Like in so many races the herd is nervous and racers shot past us.  No real worries there from my side as we’d see many of them again over the course of the next twenty or so hours.

The first leg of the Hexentanz took us up and over the Hexenztanzplatz.  From here we coursed back down into the Bode Gorge and our first aid station (VP) in Treseburg at 11KM.

Lutz grabbed an apple and we were on our way again to the town of Hasselfelde.  Over the last couple of years we have made a bakery in a grocery store our VP.  Saturday morning we stopped and had a sandwich and coffee.  Our race was largely uneventful from Hasselfelde to Koenigshuette.  It was not until slightly after Koenigshuette that I made our first orienteering error.  Oh, have I not mentioned that the races courses of the Hexen series are not marked?  You are required to make your way using either a map and compass or GPS.  By and large the course is relatively easy to follow as 80 – 90% of it follows the Hexenstieg Hiking Trail which is very well marked.

It’s the other 10-20% that is challenging and you had better be paying attention.  My trouble on Saturday was that I was following an old track from the previous year’s event on my GPS.  The trail split in three directions at one point and without really looking I put us on the wrong route headed into the Sachshau.  Lutz and I remained comfortable as we’d run here on three previous occasions.  It wasn’t long though that he got concerned.  Following the old track I was convinced that we were traveling in the right direction.  Lutz was less certain, but was somehow certain that his GPS was in error to the point that he stopped and started it a couple of times and even changed the batteries.  After a kilometer or so we decided to double back and retrace our route to the intersection where fortunately I found my error and we got back onto the right track.  After coursing for about 46KM we arrived at the Hotel Grüne Tanne VP where we both re-stocked our water supply and had a plate of pasta.

A curious thing occurred at the Hotel Grüne Tanne VP.  We arrived to find a large group of runners that were not in front of us previously.  I certainly don’t want to accuse anyone of cheating, but we were not misoriented to the point that we were actually in the last position of the racing field.  All I’ll say is that there are opportunities to cut the course short particularly between Koenigshuette and the Hotel Grüne Tanne.  There are signs that direct you in that direction…  This would not be the last time that we’d experience some apparent short cuts taken by multiple other runners.

All the same…  After enjoying a bit of pasta Lutz and I headed back out onto the course and a track that we had not run in previous years.  From the Hotel Grüne Tanne the course bears down on Elend.  Oh Elend…  Like so many words “Elend” means so many things.  On the surface it’s a village in Saxon-Anhalt.  On the other side it actually means misery and that was just where we were headed.

From Elend we began our trek up.  First up and over the mysterious Mauseklippe.  And then gradually towards the Wurmberg.  My hat’s off to Michael and this new leg of the course.  It was as Tim Scott would say, “very runnable”.

I had seen the Wurmberg from the Brocken on a number of occasions, but did not really have a view to how impressive it really is.  Coursing out from the woods we arrived at the base of the Wurmberg and stopped in our tracks.  That damn Michael!  This is the treat he had waiting for us.

From the Wurmberg we made our way to Braunlage.  Trekking this portion of the route was relatively straight forward as we moved over ski runs and forest trails.  At Sankt Andreasberg it began to ever so slightly snow on us.  Evening was setting in and the Harz was certain not to disappoint.

From Sankt Andreasberg we made our way to one of my favorite places along this course, the Oderteiche.  This year the lakes had been drained as one of the dams had a gap in it and this hole had been recently replaced.  From the Oderteiche we coursed back up again to the Wolfswarte.  The Wolfswarte holds a special place in my spirit. First, it is such a badass name for a place and second, it’s actually a badass place at 918m.  Here your mind wanders and leads you down dark paths to things old and pagan.  Given it’s environs you can feel a deep draw to something darker.  A perfect place to celebrate Walpurgisnacht.   

On the Wolfswarte we met up with Wolfgang who was curiously climbing around in the dark on the very top of the Wolfswarte.  Although there is no VP here, racers must find and use the Hexenstieg Hiking Trail stamp to confirm that you were actually here.

Wolfgang’s battery had died on his GPS and he did not have a compass or map and was slightly misoriented.  He asked if he could tag along with us over the remainder of the course and with no objections from Lutz or I our racing party grew to three.

On the backside of the Wolfswarte we were able to pick up our pace on the trail that runs like an autobahn and gained almost an hour ahead of our estimated time of arrival in Altenau Bergstadt.  In Altenau we stopped at the VP to re-supply drinks and pleasantly surprised to find some open faced sandwiches and other delicious goodies.

If you’ve followed my previous reports on the Hexenstieg you know what comes after Altenau and that’s the long (7 KM) VERY straight and very mentally challenging ghost rail line to Claustal-Zellerfeld.  I was glad to travel along this route with Lutz and Wolfgang as our conversations kept my mind awake and active.

We paused only briefly in Claustal-Zellerfeld and Jens’ VP.  Long enough to have a cup of coffee and then to head back out into the cold of a early Sunday morning.  We were able to again gain some time by running between Claustal-Zellerfeld and Kuckholzklippe.  After coming off of the Kuckholzklippe we again got very misoriented, first by running down a couple of hundred meters of elevation while following the hiking trail and then by going back up past where we should have made a left hand turn.  Damn GPS!  We made this time back up again running along the ridgeline of the Langenberg.  At about kilometer 105 (the Hexentanz is actually measured at 109KM for a 100KM event) we knew that we had this dance in the bag.  From here it was easy going through Freiheit into Osterode and the finish line.  At the finish a quick check of my GPS revealed that instead of 100KM Lutz and I actually covered 112KM.  What’s a few additional kilometers?

My 2016 Hexentanz take-aways…  Michael – I’ll be back.  Michael Frenz puts on superb events.  The starting field for the Hexenstieg and Hexentanz was made up of 28 and 36 starters.  A small, friendly group.  Of the 36 Hexentanz runners that started 31 finished.  A pretty darn good finishing average.  Key factors for a finish for an event like this are patience, hydration, nutrition and being able to orient over the long-haul.  Unlike previous years I feel like my nutrition was dialed in.  My choice of equipment and kit was spot on this year as well.  The weather was forecasted to be cold with rain.  Instead it was very cold with snow.  As I’ve said before, weather happens – it is neither good nor bad, it just is.  Waste no time and energy on lamenting about this and instead focus your energy on the aspects you can control like your clothes and gear.  The Harz is an amazing place filled with beautiful forests, mystery and folklore.  I’ll be back.

My race reports are not complete without a word about the volunteers and supporters.  As I mentioned above Stephan and his team at the Hotel Harzerhof are fantastic.  The volunteers that started and in some cases moved to a different/later VP were great.  Running an event like this would be much more difficult without you.  And, certainly, last but not least, a big thanks to my running partner Lutz.  You kept me moving forward.  I look forward to our next adventure.

Alb Marathon 2013

Blue skies, mild temperatures, sunshine and a group of three hundred plus friends to run with through fifty kilometers of the Alb…  It’s difficult to get much better than that!  26 October 2013 saw the twenty-third running of the Sparkassen Alb Marathon in Schwäbisch Gmünd.  It was spectacular day. (And I just learned that I completed a personal best running 4:59:19!)  I look forward to running the Alb again in 2014!

 Race Headquarters and Check-in Area

A warm up into the Alb

The Alb

Two of the Three Kaiserberge now behind us...

The Ho Chi Minh Trail...  Found in the second half of the Alb Marathon led to my favorite leg of the course.

Great quads workout!

We're definitely not in Kansas anymore Toto...

Rocking with a band of drummers on the way to the finish line.  These guys were passionate about their music.  It was great to have them accompany us across the finish line.

The Day After - Hiking Cortina

And I've got to tell you the hiking around Cortina d'Ampezzo is simply fantastic...

You either did...  Or you didn't! 

Speed Metal Racing - The Cortina Trail

Running loose and low right now between work, family and races, but thought I’d share a super race experience I just had in Cortina d'Ampezzo Italy.

A year or so ago a friend proposed that we race together again.  Her idea included traveling to Cortina d'Ampezzo to join in on The North Face’s Lavaredo Ultra Trail brother the Cortina Trail.  It seemed like a super idea to get together with she and her family, spend a little time in Italy on vacation (always good) and run a 50KM mountain race as part of my 2013 race program!  So we signed up…

We traveled to Cortina the Thursday prior to the race to get settled in and meet up with two sets of friends.  When we arrived in Cortina and into the Friday preceding the race, the weather left a great deal to be desired.  Thursday night it snowed 30cm over much of the course of both races providing an interesting challenge to the organization team and to the runners.  Reports on the Lavaredo Ultra Trail web site throughout Friday illustrated that the team was working hard towards solutions to start the event.  By Friday evening and the race briefing the organizational team had come up with a plan that reduced the length of the Lavaredo Ultra Trail (85KM versus 118KM) and significantly changed the Cortina Trail (47.5KM) course.  Start times for both events were shifted to Saturday morning with the hope that the weather would stabilize enough to allow for a safe running of both courses.

After a couple of days of snow, rain and overcast skies Saturday dawned with blue skies and cool to moderate temperatures.  

Christine and I met shortly after the start of the Lavaredo Ultra Trail to get lined up and organized for the Cortina Trail.  An additional friend joined us as a bandit to run the first ten kilometers of the course.  The three of us were joined by another 743 runners who jumped off at 0900 to enjoy a challenging course over some of the Dolomites most incredible terrain.

The Cortina Trail course was a blast to run.  The first seven or so kilometers were almost straight up an 1800 meter climb.

  

The back side of this climb was about a two kilometer decent of more than 500 meters.  I have to chalk this portion of the race up as my favorite leg as it covered incredible single track trail that blasted its way down off the mountain.  Going down was like jamming to speed metal – it was a blast!  The next significant climb took us from about kilometer 21 to kilometer 26 and Forcola Lerosa at 2200 meters.

From Lerosa we blasted down almost 900 meters of elevation change and ten kilometers to Malga Ra Stua.  At this point in the race you’ might have been tempted to think, “Wow!  I’ve made it to the rest stop and cut off point at Malga Ra Stua it’s cake from here…”  Not to be friends!  From Malga Ra Stua and kilometer 32 we headed back up to 1800 meters and kilometer 41 before heading all the way back down into Cortina d'Ampezzo and the finish line.

The race course itself was a spectacular mix of mountain single track, hiking and logging trails.  The scenery and environment are simply phenomenal. 

The 2013 Cortina Trail course consisted of two major support areas or check points with two additional smaller stops that only served beverages.  Each support area was very well staffed; organized and outfitted with food, water, and caffeinated beverages to include Red Bull (I drank four over the course of the race!).

The Cortina Trail started with 745 registered runners.  696 runners finished.  The Women’s Winner, Kasia Zajac of Poland came in at 05:03:03, while the Men’s Winner, Oliver Utting of Canada came in at 04:02:21.  The final runner, Giorigo Giacomelli of Italy came in at 12:35:05 – A tremendous effort!

I’ll be straight with you.  After several disappointments associated with The North Face’s UTMB management I had my doubts about any races associated with them.  The organization team of the Lavaredo Ultra Trail is simply phenomenal.  I highly recommend either of these races.  The organization, planning, conduct and support of both of these events are fantastic.  The Lavaredo Ultra Trail is on my 2014 list of must do races!

Week in Training 14 – 20.01.13 Brocken Focus

This past week, although somewhat limited in overall mileage, was a super training week.  The first part of the week I kept my mileage down to the 10K distance as I took no breaks as scheduled on Monday.  By Wednesday I moved up to two back to back 13KMs.  Friday was again a 10KM leaning into the weekend.  Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 21 January, I did a triple shot 21KM.  And now, sitting here Monday, although a little tired I’m feeling no injuries creeping up on me which is super news!  I plan to mix it up tomorrow with 10KM speed walk in the snow.  Fourteen days straight through!  Love it!

Where is all of this headed…?  Well, first up is the Brocken-Challenge.

Training conditions for the BC could not be better.  We’ve had snow and ice for almost entire past two weeks.  The outlook will remain constant over the next four or five days. 

I’m fired up about this year’s tenth anniversary running of the Brocken-Challenge.  Aside from the “round year” this race is a unique charity event in that ALL proceeds go to the charities described below.  Registration fees are considered a one hundred percent donation as are all food, beverages, volunteers, fuel, starter tee-shirts, you name it, it is donated in support of this event and the results of its charity work.  In other words – there is no bureaucracy or back side support associated with the race or its charitable work.  All donated activities and funds go to:

The Hospiz an der Lutter, Göttingen.  The Hospiz an der Lutter is a hospice for those that are terminally ill whom have entered the final stages of their lives. 

“Kreuz und Quer” Kindergarten, Göttingen.  Charitable donations will assist in the rebuilding of this Göttingen neighborhood kindergarten following a fire caused by arson in September 2012.

TUSPO Weende Kinder-und Jugend-Radsport.  The TUSPO is an organization that supports youth participation in cycling.  Donations will assist with renovation of the club’s bike track.

Hospital and Rehabilitation Center for Disabled Children (HRDC), Banepa, Nepal.  BC donations will support this medical treatment activity in Nepal.

Interested in helping one or more of these efforts?  How about helping me push through with a kilometer or mileage donation?  The BC is 80KM or 50 miles in length and traverses some of Northern Germany’s most beautiful countryside with the finish line located on the Brocken Summit.  Drop me a line at my e-mail or PM on Facebook.  Every form of support is greatly appreciated!

Venusberg

Found a new route this morning out and around the Venusberg and the Juniper Heath (Wacholderheide).  This morning was the first morning we had frost on the ground.  It was clear, a bit of fog and cold...  Fantastic for a long run!

I can't get over how amazing this area is.  You can head out in any direction and go forever.  Simply amazing!

This was my second twenty-k or more run this week.  Hope to do a B2B tomorrow morning with a 16KM.  Am feeling a bit behind schedule with my training leading up to the Röntgenlauf on the 28th of this month.  At the end of the day, it's all good.  The Röntgenlauf is a training event leading to the 2013 Brocken-Challenge.

Have a great weekend and keep running...

 

Recovery

Have not posted much here since the thüringenULTRA.  You know how that goes with work, family and all of the other "important" things that can occupy so much of our time.

The last couple of weeks have found me recovering from the TU and a twisted ankle which continues to bother me a bit.  At the time that I torqued my ankle at the TU I didn't think that it was that big of deal, but it has slowed me down a bit since.  The way I see it, it's all good.  I needed a bit of a break.

All that said, this past week was a pretty good training week.  Am now concentrating on a slow build towards either the Voralpenmarathon in late September or the Roentgenlauf in late October.  I'm registered for the Roentgenlauf and just may turn this into a back-to-back goal.

I capped this training week off with an excellent 16KM this morning.  You can't beat getting out in the woods early around here...

Coming Down

off of that high that follows an exceptionally good race.  On 7 July 2012 I participated in the sixth running of the thüringenULTRA.  I’m excited to report that the TU is among the top events I’ve participated in this year.

Precipitation peaks in Germany in the summer months with humidity levels high and chances of daily afternoon showers.  July 2012 was no exception.  During the last few days leading up to the TU, Race Director Gunter Rothe reported steady rainfall, mud and the occasional downed tree over the course of the TU.  The weather forecast for 6 – 7 July called for thunderstorms into the evening of 6 July and sunshine on Saturday.  As things turned out we enjoyed moderate temperatures and largely overcast skies throughout much of the day with late afternoon sunshine – perfect conditions for a 100KM race in central Germany.

Hosted by Lauffeuer Fröttstädt the thüringenULTRA is a challenging 100KM ultra with its start and finish in the small village of Fröttstädt, Germany.  The race course passes along a circular route through the Thüringer-Wald  traversing the Rennsteig on two occasions; and running over 2150 heart pounding meters of elevation change.  Lauffeuer also offers two team relay races (two-man x 50KM or four-man x 25KM) as part of the overall event.  There was a good turn out for all of these events this year.

Initial reports show that there were 192 runners that started the 2012 TU with 183 finishers.  The overall winner was Marcus Baldauf running an 8:42:50 with Ines Melzer winning the women’s category with in 11:02:10.  Gunter’s 2012 changes to the race course nor the days of rain prior didn’t seem to slow the field even though these changes included some challenging climbs.  I actually prefer the new route as it keeps you in the woods longer; moving over forest trails and single track.

As in past years the race volunteers that supported the 2012 TU in the race start and finish area, backside support and at each of the check/support points were simply fantastic.  The sixteen support points were outstanding with a virtual cornucopia of beverages and food.  Selections included pretzel sticks/rings, buttered toast, chocolate, liverwurst on toast, apple slices, bananas, water, tea, soup broth, isotonic sports drink, cola and beer among much more.  I usually struggle with the overwhelming amount of sweets offered at many races.  With its wide variety and plentiful selection the thüringenULTRA is the best supported event I’ve run.

A special thanks goes out to Team 95 at the support point at 95KM.  Team 95 provided the highlight of my 2012 TU!  Running down the road to be greeted by name and then to hear, as requested AC/DC’s “For Those About to Rock” was absolutely fantastic!  Any physical pain or negative mental chatter I was having was literally blown away by these guys.  Team 95 carried me over the last 5K of the race with a smile on my face and memories of an incredible day!

Race logistics are spot on.  A description of the event, news and much more are located on the ThüringenULTRA web site.  Participation in the 100K event is very afforable particullarly with early registration.  Registration is possible on-line via SPORTident and in 2012 cost between 45 and 60 Euros (price increases as the race date draws near) for the 100KM event.  The registration fee included a starter packet, pre-race pasta meal and beverage, chip rental, finisher t-shirt, certificate and post-race meal.  There are lodging options for all tastes and needs within the Fröttstädt area.  In the past we’ve stayed in local hotels.  This year I tried camping in the start/finish area and am delighted to report that it was great.  Getting to Fröttstädt is relatively easy via ground, rail or air.  Specific travel information is available via the TU web site.

Each year the small club of Lauffeuer virtually doubles the population of Fröttstädt by more than 400 people with its ThüringenULTRA.  The TU includes a small starter field, is fast paced, and is a very well organized and hosted 100KM ultra event.  Gunter and Co. count me for my fifth star in 2013!

The Countdown has Started

for the ThueringenULTRA...  

Am a bit concerned going into this as I've not confirmed all of my plans for the race.  I still don't know if/when I'll be able to get off on Friday.  I need to get out early in order to get over to Froettstadt to do my final race check in.  The race starts at 0400 on Saturday which is pushing me to get over there Friday evening.  Work has me flying by the seat of my pants right now...

Nonetheless...  Last week was a pretty good training week.  The hamstring injury I developed a couple of weeks ago seems to have subsided.  It is no longer bothering while resting and does not seem to bother me while running distance.

All of training routes this past week were beyond 13KM except for Monday.  Have been lazy today given the thunderstorms we're having this weekend.  The rain doesn't bother me, but I'd hate to be out between here and Holzgerlingen and get caught up in some of the lightening we've had all day!

Roll on out there...

One of my favorite "Anti-Commute" locations taken between Vaihingen and Boeblingen on the A8 going south.  Shot was taken from the Roemerstrasse Bridge.