Chris Zehetleitner's Blog, page 5

Twelve Years Deep: My Running Anniversary

I'm celebrating not only my birthday but also the day I started running: July 12, 2013. In fact, tomorrow will be exactly 12 years to the day. 12 years of profound impact on my life. Thank you, running 🖤

Every year, I use my running anniversary to reflect on the past 12 months and beyond, and on what running has taught me and how it has changed me.

But let's start with an anecdote

My first run on July 12, 2013.
It lasted 47 minutes and 19 seconds.
And covered 5.66 kilometers.
That corresponds to a p...

Die Kunst Loszulassen (#133)

Ich erzähle von den 5 Gründen warum ich meine selbstverordnete Laufpause bereits nach 2 Wochen in eine offizielle Off-Season umgewandelt habe.

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On Repeat: DROPKICK MURPHYS “Who’ll Stand With Us”

Dropkick Murphys vs. Trusk und Mump

United By Summer Festival

“On Repeat” Spotify Playlist

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The Art of Backing Off

So, I've accomplished all my running goals for 2025. It's the beginning of July, and I'm already entering off-season. Yes, I'm serious.

I don't know whether I'm being super smart or overly cautious, but on Monday, after two weeks of my self-imposed three-week-running-break following the Zugspitz Ultratrail (ZUT), I decided to extend the break and officially enter my off-season.

There are five reasons for this.

1. I'm full.

My competitive hunger has been satisfied. After five races in two months that...

My Western States 2025 Highlights

What. A. Western States.

This year’s race was full of wild emotion and total thrills.

You can read about the times and rankings in the running gossip press. Here's only a quick summary of the elite race: Both the women and the men started at a course-record pace and maintained it as if the Western States was a park run.

Spoiler alert: 100 miles is not a park run, and the course records did not fall in the end.

Nevertheless, it was absolutely impressive — almost frightening — to see how the lead pac...

Die Hitze Zwischen Uns (#132)

Ich beschreibe meine neue / alte Beziehung zur Hitze und was ich während unserer Begegnung beim Zugspitz Ultratrail gelernt habe. Außerdem verrate ich mein Mantra für das Rennen und bewerte wie gut es funktioniert hat.

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On Repeat: FARSIDE “Better Than Crying”

“On Repeat” Spotify Playlist

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The Heat Between Us

Afterglow

I wrote down most of my reflections on my 2025 A-race, the Zugspitz Ultratrail (ZUT), the day after the race.

But one thing kept simmering beneath it all — my strange, almost personal relationship with The Heat.

This much is certain: Western States changed my relationship with The Heat forever. I constantly struggle for words to describe how I feel about her. What she does to me. And why, despite everything she put me through, I seek her nearness.

Over the past few days, my scattered thou...

Durchschnittlicher Hobbyläufer und Stolz darauf (#131)

Ich erkläre warum es nur Vorteile hat ein durchschnittlicher Hobbyläufer zu sein und warum wir es alle sind. Das heisst nicht, dass wir nicht ambitioniert trainieren und bei Rennen alles geben. Es interessiert nur keinen.

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On Repeat: Dragged Under “Chelsea”

“On Repeat” Spotify Playlist

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Why I’m Proud to Be an Average Runner

We're Not Kilian

Unless you're setting course records like Courtney Dauwalter or your last name is Jornet, you're probably just like me: a regular person who loves running but won't be remembered in the history books of this sport.

And you know what? That's fantastic.

(Photo by Chris Drüke)Nobody Cares

When I show up to a race, nobody's making predictions about my finish. There's no pressure to hit a certain time or place, not even in my age group. If I have a terrible day, no sponsors or fans are d...

Schritt Für Schritt Durchs Feuer: 100 Kilometer beim Zugspitz Ultratrail (SPRACHNACHRICHT #130)

Die Das Z Sprachnachricht #130 ist ein Rennbericht vom Zugspitz Ultratrail 2025. Wie erwartet, nicht das was ihr von einem Rennbericht erwartet. Eher mehr. Und tiefer. Und vor allem eins: ehrlich.

Viel Freude beim Hören.
Chris aka Das Z

Shownotes

Passender Das Z Letter zur Sprachnachricht

Strava Einheit

Nerd-Statistiken

ZUT Playlist

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Step by Step Through Fire: 100K at Zugspitz Ultratrail

This was a race I didn’t ask for. But maybe the one I needed.

The Starting Line of Something Else

When I signed up for the Zugspitz Ultratrail 100K, it wasn’t just about finishing another ultra. I had two reasons, both clear, both personal.

First: I wanted to connect with the place I now call home, the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area. To move through its landscape not as a guest, but as someone who belongs.

Second: I needed a Western States qualifier, and this race would do it, as long as I finish under...