Preparation

The preparation for RAAM 2008 started in the year 2001. But the goal at that time was primarily to shed some weight. Since my body mass, as well as the arthrosis of my right patella only allowed swimming and bicycling, I decided to buy a bike. Participation in the RAAM formed as a concrete idea three years later. 

I started slowly but steadily, always balancing the training load with improving fitness:


Year Weight in Summer
in pounds		 Miles
per Year*
2001 209 1,250
2002 189 5,775
2003 187 7,789
2004 187 9,889
2005 187 15,579
2006 173 15,823
2007 169 18,590
*Distances on the SRM stationary bike were calculated by the workload: 700 kilojoules were equaled with 18.85 miles, which corresponds well with an outdoor bike riding on a slightly undulating course and energy expenditure again measured with an SRM unit.