Time to look back (briefly), and more important – to look ahead!  2018 looks like 3,150 km running (~1960 miles) and about 48,500 m of climbs (~150,000 feet) – winning the title of the most intensive running year I had to date. how did it go?  Well, one step at a time, slow, fast, who cares, as long as you keep pushing forward. These moments when all you think of is about the leaf, this tree, the little rock and the gravel on the trail, a cloud, that bird… chasing these moments needs careful planning, that puts you at the start line of any journey, and certainly helps attending the finish line. To me these moments and this journey are the essence of running. Never been fast runner, just feeling blessed I can do this at all… one step at a time.

This it what it all comes down to – planning. December 2018 means that there are about 7 months to go. Physically, mentally, technically, all aspects should be considered. Milestones on the way are great! running in the dead sea – lowest place on earth, few days south in the desert… running up Mt Hermon – the highest peak in Israel

Calendar… demanding training plan is tough enough, let alone when it comes with demanding job, and the family you want to be with as much as you can. First rule I made long time ago is ‘make training part of your life’, so I simply set my training time according to other constraints. One other rule is ‘any weather is running weather’ – well… almost, but seriously – I hardly cancel/postpone a run due to weather, just adjust it to the conditions. Clothes, water, food, pace… always try to feel the land and nature around me. selected photos at the end.

Equipment & gear… this is a real drama. While wanting to reduce weight as much as possible, having sufficient equip and food can make a huge difference during the race. Here, I will probably consult with few fellow runners who ran it in previous years. One thing for sure – I’ll carry single portions of my favorite Elite Turkish Coffee.

Books to read & videos to watch, thoughts to hang on while racing? Advice?

Ideas are most welcome!

Do not forget to support:

PERTHES KIDS FOUNDATION (http://www.pertheskids.org/) & Yadid LaChinuch (http://www.yadidla.org.il/)

Mornings are colder, days are wet, nights are also not getting any warmer as we deep dive into December. With it come long nights and short daylight time, so running on weekdays is always in the dark… All this bring a new, yet familiar, factor into the game. Colder and damp means that my knees are prone to injury, in particular my ITB and the ligaments. I tend to handle the risks by simply making sure my legs are kept warm enough, thus making sure sufficient and efficient  blood flows. At the same time, lousy weather is perfect to be solo on the trails and have them almost only to myself, as most runners/bikers avoid going out there… So my long weekend runs, of 2-3 hrs and beyond are a complete different experience.

Solo on the trails during this time of the year here in Israel is an exceptional experience. in this dense, hectic country, where one hour provide as much new as a whole month in Scandinavia, being on your own is a treasure. Nature is at its best, the green colors regain their dominance in the landscape, and early flowers start showing up. It also drives me to run into the woods, where the wind does not hit hard, and the rain is buffered by the trees. The silence in the woods, the sound on my own footsteps, the small creeks starting to flow again in the pouring rain… all these bring a great peace of mind. Occasionally, I use my mobile and let Neil Young treat me with a few songs.

Once out of the forest, out there in the open fields, the rain and the wind hits you, sometimes hit you hard. Then it is all about keep on pushing, one step at a time. It is all about this “yea I can” psychology. It is about resilience. and the trophy are the great views you collect as you go.

Below are some selected photos from such runs, so before watching them, take some time to learn about PERTHES KIDS FOUNDATION (http://www.pertheskids.org/) & Yadid LaChinuch (http://www.yadidla.org.il/) and do not forget to support!

November marked the end of my first stage of training towards the GobiMarch. This training stage consisted of over 3k km of trails and endless hours of running. To cap it I raced a couple of races. The first, on November 2nd was a 66km on Sovev Emek 2018, a classic ultrmarathon in Israel, known for the warmth of the organizers, and the volunteers along the aid stations. Felt great before, during and after, so was ready for my 90km stage race (42+24+24) on November 18th.

This race was cancelled… but… Orna Altman, a fellow runner whom I did not know before was not willing to give up the challenge. So she organized a group of runners that wanted to run some stages to put it together anyway. It was only the two of us running the 90km, and different runners joining the stages, all and all no more than 20 people. It was rainy, muddy and cold, probably a very good simulation to multiple stages with very little rest in between. Mind over matter worked, and I was very pleased to complete this.

Now its time to slow down for a few weeks, and then start the long training stretch towards the real thing!

Do not forget to support:

PERTHES KIDS FOUNDATION (http://www.pertheskids.org/) & Yadid LaChinuch (http://www.yadidla.org.il/)