Turns Out, I’m Still a Runner

You Don’t Forget How to Run — Even Without a Meniscus

Today, I ran. 30 minutes. Nonstop. No shortcuts, no walking breaks — just me, my legs, and that glorious rhythm that only running can deliver.

Just 6 weeks ago, I had a tube in my knee and could hardly go to the bathroom by myself with my leg stretched out and in a brace. Obviously, a lot has happened since then.

“Man, the new knee is amazing!”
(Me, somewhere on Strava)

From Wobbly to Wonderful

Let me rewind for a moment. Post-surgery, my knee and I weren’t exactly on speaking terms. It had its complaints, and I had mine. Strength training became my translator. I spent countless hours doing leg lifts, wall sits, split squats, step-ups & downs and all the other greatest hits of rehab.

Then came the jumps. Oh, the jumps. Two-legged hops turned into one-legged landings, and each day, I felt my confidence grow by millimeters. At first, jumping felt like a test of fate. By the end of the second week, I was jumping like I'd signed up for a rock'n'roll dance class. (I hadn't.)

Jumps Before Strides

Somewhere in the middle of all that exercising and jumping, my knee stopped acting like a fragile post-op science experiment and started feeling strong. Solid. Trustworthy.

Run-Walks: The stepping stones back

Before I ran 30 minutes non-stop, I started with run-walks: 2 minutes running, 2 minutes walking. Then 3 minutes running, 2 minutes walking. Soon I progressed to 5 minutes running, 1 minute walking. With plenty of rest days in between, of course.

Today, the plan was to do 9 minutes running, 1 minute walking – but when I hit 9 minutes, I kept going. It just felt right. Actually, it felt spectacular.

I thought:

“(Running isn't cool anymore...) so what?! “

and ran for 30 minutes straight.

Sometimes progress is what happens when you let go of the rules and just go with what feels right.

The First Steps Of A New Chapter

Today's run wasn't fast, and it wasn't far. But it was mine. My heart and lungs, but even more my heart, chanted "We've been waiting for this". Step by step, the pieces began to come together in the most beautiful way.

This run felt like reuniting with an old friend – but with a twist. It's not the same friend as before my injury. It's new. Fresh. Different. This is my next running life, and I'm here for it.

What’s Ahead

Getting to this point is only the beginning. I have work to do. A lot of work. Peak shape is a distant goal. My personal prime feels miles away, and honestly, that's okay.

Building strength and endurance is a slow, deliberate process. My weekly routine now involves strength training (yes, the jumps stay), cycling and carefully increasing my running volume.

It's going to take time, patience, and consistency to get there. Whatever "there" is. But if the summer of 2024 has taught me anything, it's that there's absolutely no need to rush.

Trusting (and enjoying) the Process.

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Everything Not Running

I wrote another sweet article for Laufzeit magazine. In German. The subject? Myself. To be precise, the two runner hearts in my chest, the Levelhead and the Punk.

Most readers of the Das Z Letter are quite familiar with the two companions, but many out there are not. So it was good to get to the bottom of my personal clash.

There is probably no better experience to illustrate the characteristics of the two personalities than my Western States Endurance Run 2022. And that's what this visually stunning magazine article is all about.

Pick up a copy (2025/1) and enjoy the Levelhead and the Punk.

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On Repeat

My relationship with Deutschrap (German rap) has become increasingly strained over the years. While I used to be able to excuse some of the more stupid lines as 'artistic liberty' or 'well, at least the beat is cool', I find it increasingly difficult to do so.

I understand that hip hop is a different subculture from the punk and hardcore scene I'm so familiar with. This also means that hip hop stands for different values, a different style and yes, a different language. Still, I can't look (or listen) away when sexist, violence-glorifying or conspiracy-mongering phrases are used, even if a lot of it is 'just' common rap jargon.

But there are still hip hop artists out there who can get away with the occasional difficult line. VEGA is one of them. Why is that? Because you can tell his heart is in the right place. Many of his songs reveal a personality that only tangentially touches on common street rap clichés. VEGA doesn't need to. His story, both as an artist and as a private person (as far as I can tell), provides enough material for 10 more albums, in addition to the 8 he has already released.

VEGA's strength? Definitely: pathos. His ability to make words and sentences sound g r a n d is absolutely impressive. On his latest album 'Wieso sie Stürme nach Menschen benennen' (Why they name storms after people) he manages this once again brilliantly. Especially, in my opinion, on the opener and title track 'WSSNMB'.

As long as VEGA keeps releasing albums, I won't give up on German rap. Listen to ‘WSSNMB’ and find out why.