Hot, hotter, Wings for Life Flagship Run Vienna 2023

The time had come - 7 May was upon us and the Wings for Life Flagship Run 2023 in Vienna was just around the corner again.

At last! I've been waiting for this for so long and I was full of motivation. In fact, it's not my first time taking part in the Wings for Life World Run, because I was already there last year via App Run. 📱

However, there was one big difference: last year I was less trained and only started running about 6 months before the Wings for Life Run 2022, with an extra 25kg on my hips. After my diet, I managed an incredible 16.29 km! 🤩 That motivated me so much that I spontaneously wanted to take part in the flagship run this year - I didn't want to miss out on the atmosphere in Vienna.

Preparation and training for Wings for Life 2023

Anyone who is familiar with my reports will also recognise my - for me very emotional - Report from the Linz Half Marathon 2022 be known. I achieved a personal best time that day and was incredibly proud of myself. That lit my fire 🔥 - I wanted more, faster, further!

So I drew up a training plan to continuously improve - said and done! Since December 2022, I have been running between 9 and 20 kilometres 5 times a week and have completed various training sessions.

But then it happened...

How corona ruined my training for Wings for Life 2023

Wow - what a lurid headline 😅 But unfortunately it's true. Despite being vaccinated three times and feeling invincible, I've also caught the stupid virus. 🦠 And how I got it... Until now I thought that the typical „man's cold“ was the worst, but no, it's definitely corona. 🤧

In order not to get off topic, I'll keep it short: Corona cost me about 5 months of my training. My muscles were still there, but my stamina wasn't.

After 3 weeks, I got myself up for a short run again and tried to gradually improve. It was just ... well ... crap, to put it mildly. 💩

What happened to my training plan?

Impatient as I am, I wanted to make up for the lost training and continued to train intensively according to the motto „try harder“ instead of „try better“.

And then it happened - a shin split. I didn't want to admit it and just kept training until I couldn't run at all.

Well, how can I put it, a month's break and back to square one. 🔙

Evil just doesn't want me to run and prevents me from getting better!1!!!11!

NO! I stopped myself - I didn't listen to my body and tried to demand the impossible from it. And that was the price I paid.

After my enforced break, I started running again in April very slowly and just for fun - because that's what it's all about - having fun! And that also applies to the Wings For Life World Run! You run for fun for all those who can't. And you're supporting a great cause at the same time!

Fun was my reason for running - I realised that again. ❤️

The time had come, the starting signal was given for the Wings for Life Flagship Run 2023 in Vienna.

Despite everything that happened, I was confident and really looking forward to the run.

Originally I had only registered for the App Run, but 3 weeks beforehand I was able to get one of the remaining places for the Flagship Run in Vienna to be part of this great event on site.

Travelling to the Wings for Life Run

I am very easy with the Westbahn 🚂 I travelled to Vienna Westbahnhof and then took the U3 to Volksgarten. From there I walked past the town hall to the university to pick up my race number, shirt and goodie bag.

Changing facilities and left-luggage office

Unfortunately, I searched in vain for the cloakrooms marked on the map. After asking several times, I realised that there were none.

Luggage 🛄 could be taken to the post lorry containers with the start number, where it was stored safely. You could then pick it up again with the respective start number on your shirt.

I would like to take this opportunity to praise all the helpers who made sure everything ran smoothly! You guys are great!

Off to the starting block!

Everyone who registered early enough had their name and starting block on their race number (you had to state your best marathon or half marathon time when registering). All the last-minute registrants like me had a non-personalised race number without a starting block.

Nevertheless, I was able to line up in starting block 2 and choose my optimum pace.

Unfortunately, the start was very tedious, as some of the runners ahead of me were obviously not in the right block. This caused frustration for many of the faster runners as they had to spend the first few kilometres fighting their way through if they were aiming for a personal best. 🏃‍♂️

Run for those who can't!!!

Cheers, adrenalin and feelings of happiness - let's go!

From kilometre 2-3 the crowd had spread out nicely and the course was perfect for putting the pedal to the metal - it was great! The surroundings, the atmosphere, the tour through the city and the route - a dream!

So I ran there surrounded by people who all wanted the same thing: To run and help! Because everyone who started donated their entry fee.

Some even increased the amount, and I also received additional support from my family. As a result I was able to collect €125.90 for spinal cord research this year. 💰

The catering stations were also well distributed and very well equipped.

All in all, it was a great run that was great fun!

You can find more pictures in the Wings for Life gallery: Click here for the pictures

My summary of the Wings for Life World Run 2023 - Flagship Run Vienna

It was a great day and a great atmosphere - I can definitely recommend the event to everyone. Whether you're a runner, wheelchair user, Nordic walker or stroller. After all, it's all about fun and a good cause. Everyone is a winner on this day! 🏅

However, there was one thing that my little bald head completely underestimated, and that was the sun. When I had a circulatory collapse on the way home at Vienna Westbahnhof, I initially thought it was due to overexertion. When I got home, I realised how extremely red my head was - it must have been heatstroke. Another lesson learnt.

After a few hours I was back in my right mind and could be happy about my performance - because I had exceeded my goal!

I ran 27.2 km, even though I had only set myself a target of 25 kilometres. So it was a complete success, and I'm really looking forward to next year - possibly via app again - but with headgear and sun cream.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this great event, especially the volunteers who made the impossible possible!

Further recommendation:

If you liked the report, then you might also like my contribution about the Linzathlon 2022.