Running With Attitude Blog

„Oh the places we can go.“ The pressure is on. We are encouraged to partake and share new adventures every day. Further, faster, higher is the maxim and it slowly overshadows why we actually started running in the first place. Sometimes a seemingly unspectacular race in the midst of winter around an acre and through a small piece of woodland revives the true spirit of this sport. Thank you Rodgau. #willpowerrunning #runproud #misfitsofrunning #willpowercircle #rodgau50 #runningwithattitude #thecrew #thepromise (📷 @stephan_wieser) (hier: Rodgau Ultramarathon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7yGP6yoT4v/?igshid=1lhfxjl0agof5

I am bold enough to say, that there's a couple of things I'm good at. But I am also honest enough to admit, that there's so many things I totally suck at. I guess that's the truth almost everyone of us have to live with (except for Elon Musk). However things get really exciting, if different people come together and everyone brings in their own, unique strength to work on the same project. A couple of months ago Stephan Wieser started such a project and named it "Beyond the Doubt". He gathered some of the most talented people in and around filmmaking and I feel honored that I've been invited to contribute a small part to the puzzle. "Beyond the Doubt" is a documentary movie about the quasi-legendary Transalpine Run, a multi-day trailrunning event where teams of 2 run across the alps. Sure, this story has been told already, but the power of "Beyond the Doubt" lies in the depth and intensity how it reflects on the thoughts and feelings of its main characters. Everyone who has run the TAR will relive the manifold experience. Everyone who thinks this is crazy will understand what exactly encourages athletes to join such a race. Everyone else will be just taken away by breathtaking images, honest, straight from the heart interviews and most of all: the true emotions of this bunch of brave runners. Long story short: Skip Star Wars and check over to Vimeo tonight at 18:00h to have a look at "Beyond the Doubt". #beyondthedoubt #stephanwieser #transalpinerun #runandriseabove #gorejacke #gorehose #goremütze #runningwithattitude #hillpower #crossingthealps #trailrunning #overcome (hier: The Alps, Italy) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6S_g03I1PK/?igshid=1mxkoj8s5jxfr

Seriously, this has been by far the most exciting and at the same time stressfull product launch since I started @willpowerrunning. The ambition to create better and better stuff and present it in a more and more professional way comes at a cost. However, I am over-satisfied how everything turned out and that so many orders keep on rolling in since the offiical relaunch of the webstore this morning. I want to mention a couple of people, who made this whole process extra special and who I refer to as "we", when I compose newsletter texts and facebook postings for Willpower: @stephan_wieser, who shot the best product pictures ever and always has a critical, yet highly professional approach to "fashion" and visual imagery. @marcowalzel, who embodies the idea of our new "The Promise" Collection like no one else I can think of. @lisastraighton, who helps mit in literally EVERY aspect of Willpower and reminds me to put on my cosy sweatpants at home. The Willpower Athletes, who are everything for Willpower. From models over designsers to business consultants and messengers to the outside world. Yet most of all they are friends and that counts more than anything else. The Willpower Circle, who is the only reason why we can do what we do. Without your unbreakable support and inspiration Willpower wouldn't exist. That's the absolute truth. This whole thing feels a bit like releasing an album, haha! So regard this text as my linernotes ;-) #Z (hier: Willpower) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5cyGjOo_Q8/?igshid=97rybdgalp32

There’s a line in the sand and we chose our side. It is a commitment to equality, an unrestricted stance against any form of discrimination and a deliberate choice for humaneness. We will not accept the social exclusion or humiliation of any human being based on the way they look, their cultural or geographical origin, the way they dress, who they love or which mother language they speak. Rejection turns into aversion. Aversion turns into hatred. Hatred turns into violence. And violence is the death of human coexistence. Let’s break this vicious circle and stand strong against racism and discrimination. https://www.instagram.com/p/B4u5NK4IN0l/?igshid=11301l3f9sidn

It's been exactly 6 years since I started running. I believe that there's a reason why I chose exactly this sport rather than any other. Over the years I found out how much it fits my personality. On the one hand it satisfies my need for structure and control (that's for the little "Spießer" in me). On the other hand it's pure chaos, risk and jeopardy (which adresses the "Punk"). But most of all it's about learning and growing. From an outside view it might look like it's always the same thing but that's not true. The way I practice running and even more how it feels is a matter of constant change. However, the virtues you have to master to become a better runner are set in stone: Ambition, honest self-reflexion on your physical and metal condition and most of all patience. They also guarantee you a great amount of fun and an long runner's life. To celebrate my running anniversary I will now embark on a 3-days bike trip with my Burger Friends Martin, Atze and Christian. My ass already hurts before it even started. (Pic by @stephan_wieser) (hier: Brünnstein) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzznz-QoA6O/?igshid=nv8cndslhdmy

Although I already celebrated a quasi-legendary anniversary this year (@ub40), I am insisting on doing it again. This time it's for @willpowerrunning, the running sports brand I started four years ago. Congratulations. Thanks. As a gift to mostly myself I have crafted a bunch of 1990s-style t-shirts which I made public this morning. The reason why I chose exactly this decade for this tribute is simple: It was by far the most formative time of my life. I got into hardcore music, found my way out of drinking with the help of a simple yet poisonous idea called 'Straight Edge', lost all my friends, found new ones for a lifetime and struggled hard to finally start my own independent life. Without the soundtrack of that time, the introverted ("Why must I contest myself. Always against myself.") and extroverted ("You‘re entitled to your own freedom, not to take others away.") lyrics and the values and ideas of a subculture that even after 25 years I feel deeply connected with, I would be a different person today. For sure. With that being said: I am very happy about who I am and where life has taken me. I am happy to run Willpower and I am also happy to run (in general). There's so much ahead and I can't wait to discover it. (hier: Donauwörth) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2n95rhIM0J/?igshid=11qccr9q6fqjl

On a more serious note: Marathon racing is a complicated issue. If I look at the big picture of the 2019 fall season for example (which includes not only my own marathons but also the ones of close friends, acquaintances and people I know loosely know), there’s been the whole spectrum from lucky or hard earned success to biggest disappointments to unexplained mystery in both, good ways and bad ways. Almost every runner will sooner or later get to the point where he/she can finish a marathon. But as soon as true ambition comes into play, there’s a 50/50 chance that things won’t turn out as expected. Although this might sound negative, it’s one of the best reasons to toe the line over and over again. It’s a thrill and it’s always worthwhile, notwithstanding the outcome. I’ve been on both sides of the river many times and all I can say is that I will show up again. There are countless Marathon challenges waiting out there and equally as many different reasons to tackle them. What a wonderful sport we hold dear. #marathon #racing #toetheline #itsaboutshowingup #marathonseason #willpower #streetjustice #runningmiles https://www.instagram.com/p/B4QQQptouBt/?igshid=uof6q4tbl1iq

It's been exactly 6 years since I started running. I believe that there's a reason why I chose exactly this sport rather than any other. Over the years I found out how much it fits my personality. On the one hand it satisfies my need for structure and control (that's for the little "Spießer" in me). On the other hand it's pure chaos, risk and jeopardy (which adresses the "Punk"). But most of all it's about learning and growing. From an outside view it might look like it's always the same thing but that's not true. The way I practice running and even more how it feels is a matter of constant change. However, the virtues you have to master to become a better runner are set in stone: Ambition, honest self-reflexion on your physical and metal condition and most of all patience. They also guarantee you a great amount of fun and an long runner's life. To celebrate my running anniversary I will now embark on a 3-days bike trip with my Burger Friends Martin, Atze and Christian. My ass already hurts before it even started. (Pic by @stephan_wieser) (hier: Brünnstein) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzznz-QoA6O/?igshid=r9tw0vqdzk4b

Frankfurt 2016. Worst Marathon of my life. Completely overestimated myself as a runner and was completely destroyed at km21 already. Still a mystery to me how I ended up finishing this thing at all. This aweful race taught me to be humble, thankful and to train focused and hard, if I set high goals. Basic lessons that I still benefit from today. Random side note: @henning.lenertz and @sascha.kowalski have both seen my most thrilling highs and deepest lows in marathon racing. I’m glad to have them on my side so often and hope for a lot more schrotthaufen marathons in the future. DISCLAIMIER: I am NOT racing Frankfurt this weekend. So stop wishing me good luck. Thank you. https://www.instagram.com/p/BpZvXZuAEjx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1u04oxjzm5ni2

0-5km: 4:07 min/km 5-10km: 4:10 min/km 10-15km: 4:14 min/km 15-HM: 4:16 min/km HM-25km: 4:16 min/km 25-30km: 4:19 min/km 30-35km: 4:26 min/km KM34: BAMM!!!! 5:20 min/km 35-40km: 4:51 min/km 40-Finish: 4:33 min/km

"When looking back on the past 3 years of Willpower there's one thing that probably was the most important step of all: the foundation of the Willpower Athletes. In fact it wasn't a 'foundation', it was more that we 'found' each other and ourselves. There's no marketing scheme that underlies this group. There's no pressure to perform, may it be in running or in the realms of the social web. You don't have to be fast, you don't have to be cute (although all of us are for sure), you don't have to be a people's person, you don't even have to run. There's no rules about who is in and who is not. And still, this community of misfits is strongly welded together by an unwritten common sense, that constitutes the very heart of what Willpower is all about. @stumblingman73, @amandastelter, @xspymasterxveganx, @chrissuals, Frank, @henning.lenertz, @runningjappie, @jeanpaulfrijns, @lisastraighton, Marcus, @mikeschderkater, @dischordant75, @stephan_wieser, @sascha.kowalski, @thomasstr8x, @tessalabarca and @veronimooo: Thanks for creating Willpower. I mean it." @chrisletitburn (Founder) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn9QBLfAx5x/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qulgi8y3zjw3

On a personal note: Three years of @willpowerrunning have been quite a ride. I’m caught in a constant battle between streamlining work processes and professionalizing things in general and trying to stay daring, hungry and foolish (Hey Steve...) at the same time. Both tendencies appear in waves, totally depending on which part of my personality (the punk or the bourgeois) currently comes out on top. In the end I am forced to embody both: The serious business CEO, COO and CFO, and on the other hand the creative mind, liberated from any rational business thoughts or strategical concern. Very often it is not easy to juggle these two perspectives but I am willing to keep on trying. With that being said, the recent history of Willpower has brought some completely new challenges, alongside the magic law of nature that the more you earn, the more you have to invest. I moved on with a new fulfillment partner (a company that stores, packs and sends out my goods) and also had to handle my first legal issue. Both really stressful and time consuming. I’m glad I‘m through with both of it. On the other hand, the number of people who dig our products constantly grows and the feedback I receive is proof, that people see more in Willpower than just another sports or streetwear brand. In the end this is exactly what I strive for. I have a dayjob that pays my rent and feeds my cats. I have enough other hobbies and interests, that I could waste my time on. My goal with willpower is to create something meaningful and I am very happy that it seems I‘m on the right way to do so. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn8ZfMMgb4M/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vm6fo80jblhu

Willpower takes a clear stand against intolerance, exclusion and racial hatred. Racism has absolutely no place in the running community, nor in our society. Everyone who ignores what's currently going on in Chemnitz and many other cities around the world, helps to expand such toxic environment and the hateful ideals of the right wing movement. There is no "I don't care.". There is also no "Yes, but....". We are all affected, when people in our country, our community or in our sport are getting discriminated against, excluded or threatened, because of their origin or color. Let's be strong. Let's be visible. But most of all let's be unmistakably clear, about where we stand. Run Dowm Racism. https://www.instagram.com/p/BnIxnnDgP5S/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8yucaau4jeu8

What we create is meaning. Our message to the running world is, that there is a bunch of outcasts, misfits and nonconformists who love this sport as much as everyone else, but are not willing to swim with the tide. We are running with attitude and we are here to stay.

What we create is meaning. Our message to the running world is, that there is a bunch of outcasts, misfits and nonconformists who love this sport as much as everyone else, but are not willing to swim with the tide. We are running with attitude and we are here to stay.

Today, exactly 5 years ago, I picked up running as my sport of choice. It has become a habit to use this historic anniversary event to look back on the story so far. Hold my Espresso. In April 2018 I embarked on my biggest running project so far, which was running a street marathon in less than 3 hours and I failed. Even worse, I completely lost track of what running had originally meant to me. The associated ambitious training cycle, stress at work, some health issues, but most of all the incompleteness of the project itself (I pulled out at KM18. Of 42.2km, to prevent the obligatory question of my non-running friends „How long is a marathon?“) left me disoriented and restless. This is not the story about what actually went wrong. Such stories can be broadly found on the internet and bore me to death. There’s ALWAYS something going wrong, especially if you set ambitious goals. My story is about what it did to me. Usually you try, fail, brush that dirt off your shoulders, try again, and someday succeed (Or not. Which is ok, for that matter). In my case this process went terribly wrong. Right after the incomplete PB attempt (Non-Running-Peepz: ‚PB‘ stands for ‚Personal Best‘ aka the fastest you have run that particular distance so far) I found myself in apathy and overall fatigue. I had not only lost my hunger for new goals, but, even worse, the overall enjoyment in running. Mostly because I saw how my great form, that I had before the marathon, fell into pieces. Topped by stress, terrible blood values, delayed sicknesses and self-doubt. So how the fuck did that happen? Easy answer. I forgot one little but very important thing: to take a break. Sonni said it takes several weeks to really process a fast marathon, physically as well as mentally, even if you feel good soon afterwards. In my case the marathon wasn’t even finished, which made the whole situation much worse. It took me almost 2 months to pull the plug and start recalibrating myself. An ongoing process that still dominates my running schedule. I only run when I feel like, and only as fast and long as it feels good. (....continue reading in comment...) (hier: Hamburg Maraton)

It’s been exactly 12 weeks since I started training for a Marathon with a finishing time of less than 3 hours. This has definitely been the most ambitious training cycle in my running career, but it never felt disturbing in any way. I could arrange all workouts with my other life duties such as my dayjob, willpower, 2 hungry cats, helping Marathonmann working on their next album, hanging out with my friends, eating properly (no f***** compromise here), drinking loads of coffee and spending time with my wonderful girlfriend. This has been particularly easy, because she thoroughly supported me on this journey. In fact she ran a good 90% of my training plan herself and will be on my side this Sunday, when race day will finally happen. I am deeply thankful for not being injured and even more for being granted a life that allows me to embark such extraordinary projects. As for right now I am hungry to get this done. 5 more days. #willpower #running #runandriseabove #unbreakable #runproud #sub3 #marathonrunning #streetjustice #hamburgmarathon #burritopower #willpowerblock #zone5 #trusttheprocess #toetheline #neverfollow #getthingsdone