As an alternative to the regular running training I was recommended to participate in a half marathon. My trainer advised me to do no less than a "balls-to-the-wall" effort! In theory it should be possible to go for a 1:21h result.
The good man, as I thought to myself, may well proclaim such things while I merrily signed up for a half marathon in Muenster/Dieburg, right around my home town, Darmstadt.
Using this chance, I was also going to test-run my new soles with which I had chosen to make my mark in Nice. Before the start I gave out the usual, boring, wise-ass statement on the race tactics: "Full control from gun to finish!"

Well, ... that was exactly what happened. Only one competitor, Lorenz Koehl, went along and, to make it short, he indeed was quicker than me. Lorenz trains running seven times a week and on some days even two session. In contrast to me, he's a real runner. I followed the recommendations of my trainer and kept the completely unreasonable tempo of the first of four laps until the very end. Do not ask me how that feels. I will mutter something about borderline experiences and the like.

But what a reward: Second place overall, with a 1:20:15h, finishing 45sec behind Lorenz! And that was taking 3:45min off the third.

On the podium the paparazzi asked us for a handshake. Felix, in his Hessian slang, stated that this reminds him of Obama.

At the moment I assume that this will remain my all-time half-marathon record. The track had no elevations and had an officially (IAAF) certified distance.
For Nice this means that my race strategy is clearly defined and I intend to execute as possible. However, I'm not commenting on this at this point in time.

Peace
Captn Crook
a.k.a.
Alex