Meet Simone: Local Legend, Ultramarathoner, and Running Expert!

Hey guys, today I am happy to share with you the interview with Simone, who inspired me and helped many runners in their running journeys.

At 62, your achievements can tell a remarkable story, but I see that behind the numbers lies your dedication to running and your training. These successes are merely a reflection of your incredible spirit and unwavering commitment. It is impressive to learn that, according to the German Ultramarathon Association, you have covered an incredible 16,474.276 competitive kilometers in ultramarathon distances. This number fascinated me so much that I even asked ChatGPT for advice to better understand the dimensions of your achievement.

To put this into perspective: the distance from Berlin to Sydney, Australia, is about 16,500 kilometers, which is almost exactly the distance you have run! Or think about the straight-line distance between New York City, USA, and Mumbai, India, which is around 16,300 kilometers. Your running journey is not just an impressive number, but also an inspiring story of endurance and passion. Let’s learn more about your experiences and the motivation behind these incredible kilometers!

• What inspired you to start running, and how has your journey evolved since you took your first steps?

I was initially a Canuyerin in a 4-person team and later in a 2-person team, and I discovered my passion for running through Canu training. The training brought me a lot of joy and motivated me to keep going. One special day, I signed up for the French race S25 in Berlin. That moment was a turning point for me, inspiring me to want to run even more.

• The first thing I learned about you when we met was that you are an ultramarathon runner. Why did you choose the discipline of ultrarunning?

For me, marathons have always been associated with stress and time pressure. I find ultras much more relaxing – there aren't as many participants, and I can run at my own pace. I hardly feel the time pressure, and what matters most to me is how I feel during the run and what I take away from it, rather than just focusing on my placement.

• What’s the wildest running competition you’ve ever participated in, and what unforgettable experiences did it bring you?

The wildest race I’ve ever participated in is the Sakura-michi International Nature Run, also known as the Cherry Blossom Run. It’s a 250 km ultramarathon that follows a course from Nagoya on the Pacific Ocean side of Japan’s main island, Honshu, to Kanazawa on the Japan Sea side. The race was established to honor Sato Ryoji, a bus conductor who worked on this route and dreamed of planting cherry trees along its entire length. He managed to plant around 2,000 trees in his spare time before passing away at the age of 47.

This race was particularly special for me because it was not only a tremendous physical challenge but also an emotional journey. Due to my asthma, I had to take medication, which made the competition even more demanding. During the run, we passed through 75 auto tunnels, and you can imagine how loud it is inside them, an experience that taught me to stay calm and persevere even in the toughest moments.

This race showed me how much strength and resilience a person can have, and it elevated my passion for running to a whole new level. It’s a reminder that we can always push our limits further when we believe in ourselves and pursue our dreams.

• Next week is your next race! And it is a Zugspitz - Leutausch Trail. You already have finished the Zugspitz Ultratrail more than 9 times in different distances. What three pieces of wisdom would you share with those gearing up for the Zugspitze run next week to help them conquer the challenge ahead?

Always run with poles: They help conserve energy and maintain your pace, especially on steep climbs. Poles are your allies to make the challenge easier.

Start at the back if it’s your first time and catch up along the way: It’s smarter to hold back at the beginning and then pick up speed later in the race. This way, you save energy and approach the race with control. Don’t go out too fast; listen to your body. On flat sections, give it your all and increase your pace.

Good nutrition, energy drinks, and not just water: Proper nutrition before the race, sufficient energy through isotonic drinks, and proper hydration are crucial to maximize your performance and have the strength for the entire distance.

• Did you know that 23 years (in 2019) after setting your personal best over 50 km in 1996, you have only lost 20 minutes? What is your secret to this impressive consistency in your performance? By the way, you have transitioned during this time from the W30 age group to W55.

I truly believe that consistent training and trusting in myself are the most important things. Throughout some of the toughest years of my life, running has been my anchor—I've covered more than 6,000 kilometers, averaging about 5,500 each year. I don’t run every day or do countless short sessions; instead, I focus on longer runs that push me further. I make it a point to spend at least 1.5 hours on the trail each time, and those moments mean everything to me. They’re not just about building endurance, but also about strengthening my mind and spirit for the challenges that lie ahead. Running has become a deeply personal journey of resilience, growth, and self-belief.

Guys, if you're eager to hear some thrilling stories and gain valuable insights for your upcoming trail races, be sure to connect with Simone. You can find her at the Long Distance Shop or often in Grunewald, her beloved home turf. Don’t miss the chance to be inspired by her experiences and wisdom!

Here you can look into Simone's statistics and her incredible journey.

As I was preparing for the interview with Simone, I realized that a lot of runners from the Berlin community also have great stories about her, so I wanted to share with you part of the conversation with Sandra, a fellow runner and long-time friend.

Sandra: “Simone is an inspiration to me. A pure example of what it is to love running, in this case, distance running. I started taking trail running with her, she took me to Grunewald, showed me the areas outside the usual running paths. She showed me the training ground for the Berliner ultra runners. I remember in the beginning, while we went for a “casual” 20k in Grunewald, how I was trying to survive, while she was all happy and smiling and being nice to me. It is precious to meet someone who has so much experience, who has had so many setbacks while training in the past, but moves forward and never quits.

Ultimately, in her own words, she smiles, then says, “Not bad for an old lady”. When she talks about her casual 70k in Zugspitz, or when she shows me she ran a marathon just as a casual training day. This inspires me to explore resiliency in a way I never thought I was capable of.