The current situation...

That might be interesting, too.

After almost three years of running I am still heavy (it must be the bones!) but I don't look like it anymore. I do like fruit and veg but when it comes to choci I'm weaker than ever. I quit smoking two or three months ago but surprisingly didn't put weight on. My bike doesn't only see day but also night lights because it's my best friend and only means of transport since my car has been broken for a year and I don't have any interest (money) in fixing it. You might ask why I don't use public transport. You don't know the gawking people in the tram! Nope, thanks. Running? Daily about 20km when my legs allow me. Unfortunately they frequently won't. Specially if it's cold or raining they like to stay in bed.

But even with an uncalibrated training like this I ran my first whole marathon about two weeks ago. 4:24:16. Well, I thought I could be a lot faster but I really, honestly absolutely couldn't. Some guy on the other hand told me that this was quite good for the first 42,2km. Very continual. I'm a hero! Super-girl!

Next 42,2km in April. I join a running group from November. Need to be so much faster when I run in my home town and everyone can see. Big goal. Marathon in so much less than 4h.

Anyway: running friend#1 is pregnant now and has no interest for sport anyway anymore. Never again. Her next guy is going to be a couch potatoe with a fat belly (se said). I wonder if that's because her extremly sportive husband left her.

Therfore, I needed a new running friend (4h runs are just booooring – you need someone to chat about the nice guys you just passed or anything). And found her. Actually she's not entirely new: we've been running partners for almost two years now. You wouldn't believe that anyone can be worse than running rat but she is. After a two-hour run she still wants to go further. After a 40km-long-run she likes to cycle another 30km to our favourite lake to relax. Nuts that girl. But I guess it's partly my fault. I join her every time.

Boy-friend#1 is even better. He doesn't really run. 10km, 12 sometimes (doesn't count). On the other hand he's going to be a tennis pro (he says). With 27, almost 28. Training: daily from 7 to 9 a.m. Which means we daily get up at about 5. De - light - ful.

Why Running Rat?

Now the interesting part: Why is the rat the runner here?
Well, first of all I am sure you know rat running. I am a city girl - so I do it all the time (but by bike of course). Sometimes I thought about doing it while racing but I honestly didn't cheat (yet).
Second, my chinese zodiac is the rat. Rats are loyal, devoting, intelligent, honest, talented and much more... I'm proud to be rat. Who wouldn't be?
Third, I was inspired by a different (but also rather unattractive) German animal.
Fourth, I didn't want to be identified (and presumably glorified) with a fair, beautiful and majestic animal like a horse or a lion (they are boring anyway). That is not me. If anything I'm small, quick 'n' creepy.
Last but not least I am not only a rat I also have some.
Yes, you read that. I have rats.
Everyone who shouted in digust: There is the hypothetic door. Get out.
Everyone who thought about sending me an exterminator or a cat: I don't like you.
And then look at this picture:

You would never hurt this little thing, would you?





Everyone who wants to alarm animal protection: I really do like you! But don't worry. My pets are no runners. In fact they are rather chubby and if at all they should rather start swimming. They are safe.

The Story Beginns

We're in the year 2007. I am 22 and rather heavy. But not only heavy also a heavy smoker. I do like fruit and veg but if I have a choice I prefer chocolate over the healthy stuff. My bike was fine in the cellar. At least nobody could filch it. The poor thing never saw daylight.

My car on the other hand was parked just outside my door. Why would I take the effort to get my bike outside? Waaaay to much work! And running? Why the hell would you torture yourself like this? No thanks!

Then there was a new guy and it was just like it always is when a girl gets to know a new guy. You wanna be perfect for him. He was the attractive, very sporty doctor-kind. A girl-friend who wasn't into sport? Not his type. But he was absolutely mine. It took some time in my blond head but I knew I needed to do something about my unathleticism. So I went for it. Run you big, fat rat, run!

Friend#1 was begging me to sign up for a 10km run with her. 10Kilometer? Crazy or what?! I was rather indifferent. Until the new guy was there. 10km? Peanuts! Nothing! Let's go! When? In 30 days. No problem!

So I tried for the first time after PE in school to actually run. Agonising pain! My poor muscles. Air! I need air! And that were only the first 2 minutes. I didn't actually run anyway. It was more a kind of schlepping myself.

After about a week of absolute torture every single day I was surprised that it actually got better and better. I was amazed. I could breathe. Ok, people still looked at me when I passed them. Hobbling old men with crutches were faster than me. But I actually started to like the pain. Stupid, isn't it? Well, you know I'm blond.

And the doctor-guy gave me advise how to proceed. I was endlessly proud of myself. I got him! I got him! Never would he leave!

Then friend#1 asked my to sign up for a half-marathon. Half-marathon? What's that? 20 Kilometres?!?! Hmmm...

(The doctor said he had done it...)

...sure, why not?

Three months later all that was left of the doctor were 150 tear-wet pages in my diary and I passed my first 21.1km without friend#1 (at least she was a spectator) in only 2:13:something. Some guys ran the 42.2km faster than me. But I actually made it! Never thought I'd be able to run that distance! 21.1km. That's 21,100 metres! 2,110,000 centimetres! That's nuts!

My parents asked who I was and what I had done to their daughter. My friends would't recognise me on the street. Not bad! And it was only the beginning...