Foreword

Life, work and love – for whatever you care about – can be immensly beautiful and fulfilling but also destructive and overwhelming. Like most creative professionals I get stuck from time to time. This journal helps me moving, towards focus.

Good day to race. Paced @saschaclark to his first official Half Marathon finish in 1:49h today. #anygivensunday #the2h50mission

Legs were begging to see some hills again and finally kicked off the second major project of the year: Speed. #berlinmarathon #the2h50mission

Finished and was rewarded a Bronze medal – 10:43h! All my time dreams fell apart when I blew up around 60k, felt the pain/cramps of my life in 35 degree heat. Refused to give in or stop moving and walked almost for 20k till I finally recovered. UClimbed 2015m in total today – hills in Germany are a fucking joke compared to this madness. #comradesmarathon #therealdeal #ultrarunning #yesyoucan

Ten hours before the gun goes off for 87km road running plus the nice present of 1900+ meter total elevation on top. Game plan: Hold back, hold back and release the beast at km 70 ... if it's still breathing. Anticipating a long, painful and very special day. #ultrarunning #comradesmarathon

Watched the ocean take his first morning breath. Easy last run. One more day. #comradesmarathon

Let the grueling mind games begin. Three days. #comradesmarathon #scaredshitless #bornready

Meet Barry Holland. He will run his 41th (!) consecutive Comrades Marathon on Sunday – with more than 125000 km in his legs! Legend with lots of useful advise for me tonight. Using talent, being patient and fighting the heart out. I can't wait. #comradesmarathon

Eat clean. Relax. Ignore all the hills wherever you go, even at sea level. Ignore your heavy legs. Ignore the doubts. Shut up. Stretch. Sleep. And repeat. 5 days to go. #comradesmarathon #ultrarunning

Leaving for South Africa now to run "The Ultimate Human Race" next Sunday. So stoked and honored to even get to the starting line for the first time since I had this dream three years ago. Let's do this! #adidasrunning #nikerunning #livestrong #comradesmarathon #scaredshitless #bornready #ultrarunning