Moving out

At the German U23 Championships in Bochum, I won bronze. I didn’t expect it at all. At the Baden-Württemberg Championships, I took gold over 400m in 48.89 and silver over 800m in roughly 1:51.26.

Things are moving: I’ve spoken to the coach in Munich on the phone and he’d take me on. My university acceptance is also nearly confirmed.

I’ve been still having these moments where I am thinking about my future for a long time:

Should you study? Do an apprenticeship? Something else entirely? How do people even decide these things that have such a big impact on the rest of your life. It seems to be so random.

Today is October 1st, 2022 and I’m sitting on the train to Munich. Excited about what’s coming, hoping everything works out.

Been her for a week now. Training was intense from the start — significantly more than in Freiburg — but I think I’ve adjusted pretty well.

On the university side — after the first week I start to really think about what studying actually is. What does it teach you? How effective is the learning? What I’ve noticed is that you learn a lot of stuff that isn’t really necessary. You cram material, vomit it out in an exam, and forget it. That’s what you actually “learn.” I’m critical of that.

Today was the first time in practice that the repetitions felt lighter. We did the usual — warm-up, coordination, drills — and then 200s. Twice a week we do these. Today it was 16×200m in 32. When it starts to feel a little easier, that’s when the fun kicks in. I love that.

Summary after one month: the training is way more professional and intense. Much smaller group — almost too small? Everything is so serious. Do this many meters, this many seconds, this many kilograms. I struggle to accept that kind of “discipline”. My previous philosophy was mostly to have fun and go hard. Missing the fun a little.

The showers at the sports facility are cold — probably because of the energy-saving measures. So I’ve been showering ice-cold after every session. At first I wondered whether I should even bother, but now I’m getting used to it and it’s actually good.

It snowed for the first time of this winter today.

Tomorrow is my first indoor competition. 600m in Fürth. — I’m excited and slightly nervous.