DYNAFIT Transalpine Run powered by Volkswagen R 2021
This year's DYNAFIT Transalpine Run powered by Volkswagen R started about a month ago in Hirschegg. From 04 - 11 September about 300 teams mastered the 7 stages from Hirschegg to Prad am Stilfser Joch. Our Kleinwalsertal athletes David Kögler and Daniel Jochum decided to participate in the RUN2 - a shorter version of the TAR. They mastered the first two stages from Hirschegg to St Anton am Arlberg with 150 other teams. David Kögler tells us why the preparation fell a little short and how they nevertheless achieved an outstanding result.
One person who knows the Transalpine Run very well is my best buddy, great cousin and coach Daniel Jochum. Accordingly, the question of a suitable team partner wasn’t hard. For me as a ski mountaineer, the preparation for the winter season starts in September. It quickly became clear that the load of 8 days of TAR would not fit into the training schedule. As my team partner was expecting the birth of his first child a few days before the start, we decide on the slimmed down, but no less enjoyable version - the two-day RUN2.
In the past months, my training was mainly limited to hiking and climbing in the Western Alps. Daniel also had a lot on his agenda with the birth of his child and his daily work. For both of us probably not the best basis for a trail running event that stretches over 92.1 km and about 3,500 m difference in elevation. But this did not dampen our motivation and we were really excited for the two race days!
A little later we catch up with the teams that started ahead of us. For overtaking on the downhill section towards Tannberg we needed to be very focused. Here at the Tannberg, I always imagine how our ancestors found their way into the valley of the Breitach about 700 years ago. Did they also sweat like we do today?! ?
Since Lech, like Kleinwalsertal, is a Walser settlement, we feel a bit at home there. Many familiar faces that we know through music festivals and sports greet us at the finish line. Christiane Jochum, a Kleinwalsertal native who has "emigrated" to Lech, organizes a nice place for us to stay. Now it's time to eat, drink and regenerate... because there is still stage 2 to come. ?
A long ascent to the Ulmer hut follows. Just like the day before Daniel has to fight, I still feel fresh. We pass the next feeding zone, as we start the downhill to St Christoph with full vigor. As we run towards our destination and hear the loudspeaker announcements in St Anton, all efforts are forgotten. We cross the finish line arm in arm and are warmly welcomed as winners of the RUN2. A short interview, shaking hands, and then the longed-for finisher beer.
We sit down in the deck chair, reflect on the last two days and are almost a bit wistful that it is over for us. But knowingly after TAR is before TAR! ?
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