(posted by tobias)
Greetings from the land of cobblestones!
I don’t think I have written in these pages about my abiding love for the city of Prague. In all my European travels over the past 6 years or so, no place has captured my heart in quite the same way, and I have gone back many times to sample its charms: magnificent architecture, unsurpassed old world charm and vibe, and of course the best beer on earth, plentiful and cheap.
So, recently, somewhat rashly and with insufficient time for proper preparation, I decided to, well ‘consummate’ this love by running the Prague International Marathon. I had run a half-marathon recently, so with an intermediate long run I thought I just might make it, and to add a little spice I gave myself an arbitrary time goal: under 4 hours (those of you keeping track will recall that my previous and first one, in Berlin, took me a hair over 4 and a half).
So after a somewhat over-optimistic first half, and a substantially slower and harder second half, I was very pleased and proud to finish in 3:55 – not exactly enough to get the Kenyans quaking in their Reeboks, but for an old guy like me: not too bad, really.
And for the record: it was, once again, one of the most oddly enjoyable things I have ever done – nothing so fundamentally painful, so utterly-exhausing-for-days, so inexplicable to anyone who doesn’t feel the pull, has ever given me such deep and lasting rewards. Except maybe the Brokensaints DVD…
Anyway, I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: highly recommended.
Holy Crap Tobias!!! You look fantastic! Profound respect and congrats on your acheivement 🙂
Kim
Wow 😮 Improving over a half hour over your last time. That in and of itself is commendable. Doing it in under 4 hours, something this 20 year old would be very hard pressed to come close to, is an amazing feet. lol
Anyways, Prague sounds like fun. It looks like you enjoyed yourself.
Awesome, Tobias!!! 🙂 I wish I had the stamina to run a marathon.. 🙂 Much respect!
Wow! I am impressed. I was able to walk a marathon before (uncompetitively, of course), but that’s nothing compared to your achievement, Tobias! Kudos! 😀
P.S. I also love Prague!
Wow, congrats on getting that time – precisely what you aimed for! Which in true uni student spirit, I’d like to commend you on, ’cause that means you did great without getting marked as an overachiever. 😉
I still have to go to Prague, I meant to a couple years ago, but something in the family came up. I always hear people say it’s a beautiful city, annnd perfect for low budget tourists. 😀