HAPPY NEW YEAR

Though we are almost two weeks into 2017, I guess it is not too late just yet to wish you all a happy, happy new year. May the upcoming one be full of smiles and joy, success and learnings, memories and experiences, but above all I hope that you all stay fit and healthy. 

I entered the running world by completing my first two marathons in 2015 and was hooked by Ultra-Trail running when I visited Chamonix. It was a pivotal moment, when I experienced the start of the Ultra-Trail Du Mont Blanc that made me want to compete in this epic competition. So, 2016 had been my first year solely focussed on running. After a slow start, I welcomed Prof. Dr. Klaus Baum into my team in March, who agreed to join me on my journey to UTMB 2018. He is the former athletics coach of the German national handball team, who won the World Cup in 2007, as well as worked with the Polish national handball team that came third in the World Cup in 2015. Throughout the past year, I underwent numerous tests and acquired a ton of knowledge about my body and running. With his expertise and training programs by my side, I run countless kilometers around the streets, and up and down the mountains. I competed in three ultra marathons with the season highlight being the Cappadocia Ultra-Trail, as well as undercutting the 3:30 hour mark at the Verona Marathon.  

After the race in Cappadocia I had picked up a muscle injury in my right thigh, which pretty much took me off running for the entire month of November, except the Verona Marathon, which I pushed through. At the beginning of December, I slowly returned to the roads whilst I was visiting Colombia, before picking up my training in Italy over the Christmas days, and now in the Austrian alps. The highlight of 2017 must be the Marathon Des Sables, which is less than 90 days away. With this in mind, I decided to move to Barcelona, as its beaches and climate provide perfect training conditions for this ultra marathon, which is taking place in the Moroccan desert. Thus far, my agenda is still pretty empty, aside from Marathon Des Sables, I have also signed up for the 101k leg of the Eiger Ultra-Trail.

One of my goals for this year is to not only improve my running, but also regular post on my blog. I am aiming to offer insights into my training, review the races I have completed, as well as share travel advice, talk about possible business endeavors and collaborate with like-minded individuals to create interesting content. 

I hope that you join my journey, enjoy my posts, and I am looking forward to 2017 with you. If you have any questions, feedback, advice, or whatever it may be, feel free to send me an e-mail: hallo@nickilange.com.

Keep running, 

Nicki