Manuel, how many marathons have you run in your life?
Six. I have competed in the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon five times so far and during the Corona period, a private marathon was organized with my running group. My most memorable run was my first marathon in Frankfurt. I still remember exactly when I entered the Festhalle and the total relief that I had made it. After my first marathon, I was quite euphoric and also wanted to start in Paris and elsewhere in Europe.
But it didn't happen.
Yes, I had problems with my intervertebral disc afterwards, I even ran the marathon with a herniated disc, which I hadn't noticed. One marathon a year is enough for me. For health reasons and also for time reasons. I still have one big goal: to be accepted into the Marathon Club. If you finish the Frankfurt Marathon ten times, you get a permanent starting number and can then run the eleventh with your own number.
Are you aiming for a specific time?
I'm happy with anything under three and a half hours. My trainer Petra thinks I'm in such good shape this year that I should aim for 3:15. That's 15 minutes faster than my personal best.
How long have you been running marathons?
I started running in 2016 through the Corporate Running training program at Messe Frankfurt. A year later, I took part in my trainer Petra's marathon project, which was offered as part of the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon. It was six intensive months with training plans, nutrition counseling, three seminar days, running analyses and performance diagnostics. I then ran my first marathon and half marathon in 2017.
Manuel Garcia at this year's run through the Brandenburg Gate as part of his half marathon participation in Berlin. (© Sportograf.com)
How many kilometers do you run per week?
I don't run every day. There are also one or two days in between. During the normal training period, it is between 30 and 50 kilometers per week and eight weeks before the marathon, it can also be 80 to 100 kilometers. Four weeks before the marathon, I'm in a phase where I do a lot of 30, 32, and 35 kilometer runs. The long distances are important to help the body withstand the stress of the marathon.
Speaking of childhood and youth: did you run as a child, too?
As a youth, I played soccer; of course you run a lot in that sport and it's endurance training. And I went jogging on my own back then.
Do you ever get tired of running?
I've been training for six or seven months now. When it gets very intense, your body will eventually demand a break. You might feel like cutting down on training, especially when the weather's bad. But it takes a lot of rain outside for me to want to stay off my treadmill at home. A little rain, cold or snow isn't a problem for me.
How do you feel after a marathon when you cross the finish line?
You shouldn't reach the finish line doubled over in pain, but run at a pace you feel comfortable with. This means that you are of course giving your all and are exhausted when you cross the finish line, but you can still stand and walk and you can laugh and be happy that you made it. All of this is built up through good training. A marathon is an extreme physical challenge. I allow myself a break of at least ten days or two weeks so that my body can really recover.
Do you exceed your personal limits at over 42 kilometers?
Yes, and in the end the marathon is very much a matter of the mind. After 30 or 35 kilometers, when you hit the wall, you have to keep on running. The legs get heavy, the first cramps appear. Then you just have to be mentally strong and not give in.
Manuel, thank you very much for the interview and good luck for next Sunday!
Just before the finish: Manuel Garcia entering the Frankfurter Festhalle. (© Marathon Photos Live)