Entering GTA

I arrived in Pueblo now.

The flight and adjustment made me a bit tired, so I’m not as fit in the first sessions as I’d like to present myself — but that’ll come.

I’m slowly starting to get used to everything — the food, people, college, running, environment, surroundings.

Sport is progressing. The training is train hard. At times I’ve thought I was injured, but after two days it was always ok again. Way more strength and miles then I was used to.

After surviving a few days with -20° it’s gotten warm now. That’s great.

I think I changed drastically over the last years. I moved away from hiding in comfort, distracting myself with entertainment, thinking more rationally, preferring truth over social cohesion. I value pain more than comfortably going in the wrong direction.

Got through the classes of semester fine. Time is flying. Got through the competitions fine. Won the conference and performed mediocre at nationals. But inside, a bad feeling had been building — I spent phases purely thinking about how to enter the workforce and let sport become secondary.

I grew to despise the hedonism that a majority of college people unconsciously pursue as their highest goal.

Home over the summer. Pack up. Off to Spain. A week of nothing but relaxing on the beach. Sleeping in a tent. Listening to the sea. Seeing my family. Exploring the surrounding towns and nature. Magical.

I needed that.

Especially after having time to think I realized that I do not feel well and want to leave Pueblo. I want an environment where I gain energy. And I didn’t find that for me there.

So one more time changing my place. Full explorer mode.

Back in Germany, I considered whether to run competitions or not. But the first training sessions went well, so I wanted to.

Boom: 1:47.69 in France. Faster than any competition in the US.

went back to Gö for my Summer season. Good time with the people there again. And I have time now without the constant pressure of homeworks and assignments. Time to think clearly. Nature. Quality food.

I realized another category which I would like to implement in my training. Robustness. You have to be stable in a race and not fall with the slightest contact.

The plan now: a 400 in Hamburg, an 800 in Pfungstadt, and the German Championships in Dresden.

It all went well and I even got third at the German Championships again.

On to the offseason now..

..before I continue my journey in Texas.