David mimicking a statue in Roth

Well, it’s now only two days before my key race this year, the Quelle Challenge in Roth, Germany.

Laura and I arrived on Sunday morning (June 25) a full week before the race instead of arriving two days before the race like last year. The week has been good as it has given me time to adjust to the +6 hours time zone plus just relax. Last zear was so rushed and stressful - I did not get my bike until the night before the race and had to ride it untested on race morning.

What is Roth like?

Roth is a town in southern Germany (Bavaria) in between Nürnberg and Munich (closer to Nürnberg). Like many of the small towns in this part of Germany, there is an old central part of town with brick roads/walkways, small cafe´s, shops, historic churches, and a castle built in the Middle Ages. Some of the towns have ruins from Roman times as well.

Most of the Germans speak at least a little (ein bißchen) English so it is relatively easy to communicate. Many of the restaurants also have English versions of their menus. Unlike last year where we rented a car to travel, Laura and I are using Eurrail passes to travel by train. Within town, we can just walk to the grocery store or downtown.

There are many towns spotted throughout the countryside with fields of corn, wheat, hops as well as forests filling in the space. Very beautiful! In between the towns and amidst the fields and forests are a vast networks of trails - both paved and unpaved - that are suitable for biking and running. It is much more common to see a cyclist or a hiker here than it is back home.

From a race perspective, I feel very good about my prospects for Sunday. Naturally, I am becoming more nervous and more excited as the race draws closer. The depth of talent here is very deep. My goal is to go sub-nine hours again.

Cheers,

David

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David B. Glover
Experiential Writer, Elite Athlete, Coach and Race Director
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine
Personal Web: www.davidglover.net
Business Web: www.enduranceworks.net

©2006 David B. Glover