Running
Take a run for the team – Rennsteiglauf edition
The Rennsteig relay race: an adventure with the “Torpedo Alfredo” relay team
Why I decided to take part in the Rennsteig relay race? It all started with my friend Suse and her father Alfred, a passionate runner who has participated many times in the Rennsteiglauf race and the relay race. Alfred passed the relay tradition on to his daughters, and Suse asked me to join them. I’m always up for a challenge so I spontaneously agreed – even though I actually hate running! I had been on a run twice in my life by that stage and I realized: I simply don’t enjoy it.
Damit gelingt Dir der Laufeinstieg noch leichter:
But since I agreed to take part in the Rennsteig relay race, I felt obligated to go running regularly. In October, I started my preparations with a 10 km trail through Saxon Switzerland. I was completely exhausted afterwards and realized that I would have to start more gently. Together with a friend, I ran routes of 5 km and increased the distance gradually. In the two months before the competition, I tried to run 15 km because my section of the relay race was going to be 13.6 km.
Then June 15 finally arrived. The first runner from our team started at 5 a.m. in Hörschel, as opposed to Oberhof or Eisenach where the Rennsteiglauf race begins. I was the fourth runner, with my section going from Neue Ausspanne to Grenzadler. A message on my cell phone notified me that the guys before me had made great time so it was my turn sooner than I had expected. Suddenly, everything happened very quickly and I only just managed to get into my Bauerfeind Trail Run Mid Cut Socks and running shoes before I had to set off. Already overwhelmed, I quickly ate a banana and got going at 8.30 a.m.
My team mate handed me the wristband and a rock we were carrying from Hörschel to Blankenstein as a tradition to throw into the Saale river there. All I knew about my route was that it was 13.6 km long. I had to run uphill straight away and it exhausted me immediately. The path was full of puddles and mud from the rain and I kept trying to run around the side to avoid it all (Check out our trail running topics). The men’s relay race started an hour after us and many men were now overtaking me. That was really frustrating! But I overtook a woman myself and kept plowing on.
This was my first competition and the mental pressure was significant: I knew that the others depended on me and there was no way I would give up. I had to see it through, I had to get to my finish line. Without my cell phone, I neither knew the time nor how much farther I had to run. The ascent of a total of 260 m and the descent of 120 m didn’t make things easier. With every step, I told myself: “Katharina, you are strong, you’ve got this!”
The banana I had earlier weighed me down but my running vest with drinks bottle helped me with small sips of water. I hit the proverbial wall at 8-9 km, I could barely continue. I asked everyone how much farther it was. When I had merely 2 km to go, I took courage and started to increase my pace. The last bit of my route was downhill, where I gave it my all and my successor Andreas welcomed me. When I gave him the wristband, I was exhausted but proud even though I didn’t manage my section in the desired time. Instead, it turned out to be 1:28h.
The team is the focus, not the performance!
The day was really tough but full of team spirit. The team traveled from each handover point to the next in three VW buses to cheer each other on. After the race, my Bauerfeind Recovery Socks really helped me to relax – a great insider tip! Nils who ran the 6th stage didn’t feel very well. I accompanied him on my bike to motivate him. Our team reached Blankenstein at 10.30 p.m. where the tent at the Rennsteiglauf race finish line had already been taken down. Nevertheless, we received medals and a certificate for our 17:22 h and 170 km. Place 43 of over 50 – we weren’t pros but incredibly proud.
In Blankenstein at the Rennsteig, we enjoyed dinner together and celebrated our team with beer and singing. The next morning, we went swimming in the Saale and threw our rock into the river – a nice conclusion to an unforgettable weekend. Alfred asked who wanted to join again next year. I agreed immediately and I’m determined to be even better next time. Perhaps I’ll even complete the Rennsteiglauf race.
