April 1, 2025 (updated October 25, 2025)

Introduction

Running has been something I’ve wanted to do for many years, but my body just wouldn’t allow it. Every attempt ended in pain and frustration – instead of joy from movement, all I felt was disappointment that something I loved was practically forbidden to me. I’ve always enjoyed the freedom it offers. You simply start running and go. No one limits you, just you yourself – you decide where and how far you go, and everything depends on your will and perseverance. Then came a turning point. In the fall of 2024, I decided to take the plunge and participated in my first race – a marathon. It was a big leap, but also confirmation that my body could do what once seemed impossible. The injury that had been holding me back could be rehabilitated, and running began to bring me not just relief but also joy. But it also brought pain and exhaustion, which are just the inevitable precursors to that. With this realization comes a new goal. 2025 is the year I want to fully launch my running season. The goal isn’t just the results, but the experiences that running offers me – challenges, new places, new experiences, and ultimately meeting new people.

Jozefovský beh - Memoriál Jána Konôpku

March 23, 2025 The best things often come unexpectedly. That’s exactly how it was with my first race of the year. I didn’t have it on my calendar, wasn’t expecting it, and didn’t even know it was happening – until my family told me about it. My uncle was planning to participate. And when I learned that the race would take place in my homeland, on the very paths where I had once run many kilometers, the decision was made.

Preparation was, honestly, almost nonexistent. I only did my first training run just a few days before the race, along with a few recreational runs. But the goal was clear – to support the event, not race for medals. It wasn’t about performance, but about returning. About reconnecting with familiar surroundings and being part of something local – especially with family. And yet, when the start signal went off, a spark of competition appeared. Ten kilometers through undulating terrain, with steep ascents and descents, tested not only my legs but also my mind. Paradoxically, the descents were more of a challenge than the ascents – mastering them both technically and physically required a lot of energy.

I finished with a time of 47:21, which surprised and delighted me – before the start, I modestly aimed to complete the course in under 55 minutes. The result is more than motivating. This first race of the season reminded me why I love sports – not just for the performance, but for the emotions. The connection to the place, to myself, to the community, to family, and friends. And I’m grateful that I started the season at home. I know I’ll be back on the starting line next year, this time with better conditioning and the goal of surpassing my time. More details about my running performance on my Strava profile Official results

NN Night Run Ostrava

April 12, 2025 The first race in my homeland, the second in my current city – Ostrava. At first, I was unsure whether I’d even participate, but the idea of running a route I know so well eventually – and obviously – convinced me.
The course was made up of two 5-kilometer loops – along the Ostravice riverbank and through Komenského Sady park. I honestly can’t think of a better spot to run in the city. And the best part? I live just a few hundred meters away. So there was nothing to think about – the weather forecast looked perfect, all I had to do was register. I have to admit, though, I expected to be in better shape. After a demanding start to the spring season and adding regular runs back into my training, I could already feel the fatigue – in my legs, muscles, even joints.
I barely ran during the last week leading up to the race. That’s why my goal was simple: to enjoy a relaxed night run through Ostrava – for the medal and the joy of it.

In the end, I didn’t line up at the start alone. I ran alongside a new friend I had recently met – at the Social Unyte Run in Ostrava. It was a nice surprise that made the whole experience even better. The original plan was clear – to take it easy and enjoy the run. But right after the start, I felt that tonight was going to be different. I decided to go for a decent pace – aiming for an average of 5:00/km. As usual, the excitement of the start got to me and my legs went off faster than planned. The first lap? Felt great. Perfect heart rate, comfortable pace, and mentally I was in a really good place – even though my body was clearly feeling some wear and tear. The second lap was a bit tougher – physically, at least. But with two kilometers to go, I decided to push the pace, speeding up toward 4:00/km. I love that feeling – when your heart is pounding, your lungs can’t quite keep up, and your body’s going full throttle. The final few hundred meters weren’t ideal for a sprint – tight corners and a slight uphill – but I gave it everything I had, crossing the finish line with a final time of 50:15. While that’s slightly above the 5:00/km target for a 10K, my watch recorded an extra 400 meters, putting my average pace at 4:52/km.
Goal achieved.

I’m really happy with this second race of the season. After the forest trails and hills of the Jozefovský race, this was a complete contrast – a flat urban run, surrounded by city lights and the energy of nighttime Ostrava.
And honestly? It had its own special charm. Running through streets I pass every day – but this time with a bib on and alongside hundreds of other runners – was something special. The lights, the cheering crowds, the music – all of it created an atmosphere I won’t forget. A fantastic start to the season. Two races, two very different vibes – but the same joy from running. I believe the form will keep building, all the way to the big finale on October 25 – back in Ostrava. Check out full performance details on my Strava profile Official race results

RunCzech Mattoni 1/2Maraton Olomouc

June 14, 2025 This race had been on my calendar for a long time—it was supposed to be the highlight of spring and an opportunity to try for a personal best. But life had other plans, and circumstances didn’t allow me to go all out for time. So I decided to turn Olomouc into an experiment and a challenge for myself. The entire day before the race, I didn’t eat anything at all, and for the last week, I was on a keto diet—minimal carbs, no glycogen stores, relying only on ketones. During the race itself, I took in no energy, just electrolytes and water. It was a pure test of how my body could adapt to such extreme conditions.

The result? A time of 2:15:52 is far from my personal best, but this time, it wasn’t about the clock. Physically, it was very tough—my body wouldn’t cooperate, energy was lacking, and every kilometer in the last third of the course was a challenge. Mentally, though, it wasn’t as exhausting as I expected. On the contrary, my mind was calm and focused. This experiment showed me where my limits are and what the mind can endure when the body has nothing left to give. So for me, Olomouc wasn’t about the result, but about the experience and pushing my own boundaries. However, there were also extremely negative moments during the event, which I won’t describe here, but those gave me the most. Check out full performance details on my Strava profile Official race results

Emil Zátopek Ostrava Golden Marathon

October 25, 2025 This run was originally supposed to be the culmination of the entire season. I had planned to return to the track where it all began in the autumn of 2024 – for my very first race. But an extreme lifestyle and an unfortunate accident resulting in an injury gave me a hard stop. My body firmly showed me that running forty-two kilometers was simply out of the question.

Despite this, I stood on the starting line. Once again in the front rows, side by side with the fastest runners. But when the starting gun went off, my race lasted exactly one lap around the stadium. I ran a symbolic lap, stopped, and definitively withdrew from the course. For some, it might be a defeat, but for me, it was the greatest show of strength. It was the moment I was finally able to stand up to my own ego, say "enough", and stop punishing my body for what was missing in my life.

Instead of retreating into solitude after withdrawing, I stayed on-site as a volunteer, handing out medals at the finish line. Watching the extreme pain and exhaustion of the runners evoked immense compassion in me, but at the same time, a feeling of profound relief. I could be there for others and be part of something great without having to suffer myself. It was my final farewell to the marathon and a step into real life, where my worth does not depend on how much pain I can endure. Official race results