by Axel Rittershaus | 4 Apr 2016 | Marathon, Race Review, Top, Ultra Marathon
My 8th Two Oceans Ultra was on the list, and I felt great. The preparation so far went very good. No injuries, perfect race weight, good mindset. I had covered some 740 km since the 1st of Jan 2016 – and I already trained well in December of 2015. International...
by Axel Rittershaus | 21 Mar 2016 | Cycling, Race Review
After missing the largest timed cycle race in the world for the last two years, my wife and I decided to take part in the 2016 edition of the Cape Town Cape Argus Cycle Tour. 109 km along the most beautiful roads of the Peninsula. It was our 5th attendance and we...
by Axel Rittershaus | 20 Mar 2016 | Marathon
During the weeks and days before the actual race day of the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon the number of visitors of my blog goes up massively. The most popular articles are the race reports and tips on how to achieve specific goals (meaning times). Therefore I want to...
by Axel Rittershaus | 11 Mar 2016 | Top, Training Session
Two Oceans Ultra is only 23 days away. So far I am quite happy with my progress and fitness level. I’m especially grateful for the fact that I remained injury free and healthy. Fingers crossed for it to stay like this. Usually I run a 50 km training exactly 3...
by Axel Rittershaus | 31 Jan 2016 | Training Session, Ultra Marathon
What a great month January 2016 was. Training was often quite hard due to multiple heatwaves moving through Cape Town with morning (5:00 am) temperatures of 20°C and higher. My January 2016 training plan: Run at least one 30+ km run per week, add some pace sessions...
by Axel Rittershaus | 24 Jan 2016 | Marathon, Race Review
The Red Hill Marathon is not only a very scenic and beautiful marathon, it’s also a perfect preparation for the Two Oceans Ultra as well as for Comrades. The profile is similar to Oceans, maybe even a bit more difficult with the long uphill section which I find...
by Axel Rittershaus | 6 Jan 2016 | Marathon, Training Session
Which exercises should a runner perform when he or she goes to the gym? The major focus of gym work for runners has to be core strength. Yes, working on the back and the abs doing funny exercises we don’t want to do and instead go running. But a strong core is...
by Axel Rittershaus | 31 Dec 2015 | Training Session
In November 2015 I upgraded my running backpack from an older Salomon backpack to the most recent one, a Salomon S-Lab ADV Skin3 12 Set. An ultra lightweight backpack in the shape of a running vest. I loved the old version and I’m even more satisfied with the...
by Axel Rittershaus | 23 Dec 2015 | Training Session
Being a member of AAC Atlantic Athletic Club does not only get you in touch with amazing running mates. It also gives you the opportunity to train on a state of the art track in the most beautiful city in the world. It’s been my very first time on an athletic...
by Axel Rittershaus | 15 Oct 2015 | Race Review
For the first time my wife and I attended a multi stage trail race. And the icing on the cake was the chance to run together with our beloved Magyar Vizsla Amy (3 years old). We focus on enjoying the run, instead of racing it. Therefore pace and time was not of our...