01 - 31.07.23: Stage 01 Rust - Marz

Monday 31.07.23:

Summary: I'm a wimp!

Backup: In order! Trip Vienna - Rust without problems; At exactly 09:00 my march began. At the beginning I had difficulties finding the route - no markings far and wide! That gave me the opportunity to explore the romantic place Rust a little bit :-) There are some storks in the nests on the chimneys of the houses along the main road - but not all of them are occupied. With the navigation over Bergfex I finally found the track and it went gently up the vineyards with a beautiful view over the Neusiedler See. When I reached the festival location St. Margarete after 2 hours already with the first signs of knee pain - after a 1/4 of the daily distance - it was already clear what had to follow: In Siegendorf - half of my stage - I already played through the bus/taxi options during lunch.....but then I continued to march. I can't give up on the first day.....!

From there on it was only a fight with my body and the inner pig! I have never walked more than 8 hours and 31 km in a day - how could I believe that I could do this without training? Over the last hill - Marzer Kogel like Wildoner Berg - I crawled over it with my last strength. The emotional low point came when I saw that my hotel was another 1.5 km away from the route......uff

Fact check: Feet hurt everywhere in the last km - but they are OK - no blisters at the moment! Under - thigh, hip and shoulder mega muscle ache; left knee swollen; overall totally exhausted! I'll see how it is tomorrow...