Madeira is a truly special place. The pearl of the Atlantic. The island of eternal spring. I first visited almost 20 years ago with my girlfriend. She’s my wife now 😉 We toured the island and discovered many of its wonders: the marvellous sea; the lush of green, a forest, a flora that gets everywhere, flowers and fruits like you… Read more →
Tag: trail running
From dawn to dusk: navigating Grand Canyon’s Rim to Rim to Rim
Longing and a profound sense of connection drew me back to the Grand Canyon. This is a place that left a long lasting mark on my soul and I had been getting a calling to get back there. The idea of conquering the Rim to Rim to Rim (R3) run had always been something in my mind, ever since I… Read more →
CCC by UTMB: fulfilling a dream in Chamonix
The Cormayeur – Champex – Chamonix (CCC) is an ultra trail race that is part of the UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) World Series. This is a mountain race that starts in Italy, crosses Switzerland and finishes in France, taking runners through a distance of 100 km, including 6100+ meters of elevation. The race track takes the shape of a horseshoe… Read more →
Restarting at the Innsbruck Alpine Trailrun Festival
This story starts at the end of March. We’re full swing in the Covid-19 pandemic and after 1 year nearly in full isolation (yes, we took it damn serious!), we made a weekend visit to Düsseldorf to be with close friends. Two days, single interaction, everyone tested, good food and connection with dear ones. What could possibly go wrong? 2020… Read more →
Sweet enchantment and hasty crash at Estrela
There are places and occasions in life that leave a mark in us that is difficult to erase. I personally feel that it is when I most deeply connect with nature, with genuine people and with absolute silence, that my heart retains longing memories in a very special place inside my mind. Three years ago I’ve decided to run Estrela… Read more →
Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail or why to run more than 100 km
Austria is a trail paradise for any ultra runner. People all over Europe and the world seek the location during summer to enjoy beautiful hiking paths, high mountain experiences and the perfection of being immersed into pristine nature. The Zugspitz Ultra Trail last year offered us the possibility to stay in this neighbouring country and delighted us with its offerings. On winter… Read more →
Training self-supported in unofficial Wupperbergemarathon
It’s Tuesday afternoon. The weather is nice in Düsseldorf. Sunny. Relatively warm. Blue sky. Just perfect for my bike commute as I’m about to leave the office to head home. I grab my mobile phone to check for any personal messages before hitting the road. An online post calls my attention: a mountain marathon in Solingen, the Wupperberge(trail)marathon. Just around the corner… Read more →
Visiting Monchique with the community
Visiting the Via Algarviana during summer is becoming a tradition. It had been done not only once but actually twice already, hence it made only sense to plan another visit to Monchique, not by car but by the lovely trails Algarve has to offer. This time around I’ve decided to invite the community and see if anyone would be interested to join the quest. 🙂 The following is a… Read more →
Pure bliss in the Eiger Ultra Trail!
I love running. I love the mountains. Trail running combines both and has become a passion my heart and mind lingers for… Düsseldorf is currently my home base and is unfortunately pretty flat. It just doesn’t offer a lot of possibilities to satiate the calling for the sport. There’s wonderful forests around, a million trails to be explored, some elevation… Read more →
Estrela Grande Trail in mainland Portugal highest mountain
This year I’ve challenged myself again to continue doing epic sh!t. To pursue dreams. To follow the heart. To explore new ways of reaching the void. To seek my inner confidence, that driving force that makes us move forward and reach beyond our present self. When I decided to participate in this year’s Eiger Ultra Trail edition, my coach Paulo Pires poked me to… Read more →