In this section of “5 minutes with…” today we introduce Alex Scherz (Germany), the recent winner of the latest edition of the Inca Marathon Peru.
Alex run more than 150 marathons along the 5 continents. Time in the Inca Marathon Peru: 3h.37’33”
WILD MARATHON: Could you briefly introduce yourself?
ALEX: I am 52 years old, have a son, am a sports psychologist, live near Basel and I love running, bicycling and swimming, so I am very much into marathon and triathlon. Besides sports I really enjoy playing the bass guitar in several bands in the Basel region and having a good time with my son and my girlfriend. I started running marathons in 2008 and came to triathlon in 2010 and finally fell in love with ultra marathon running in 2012. In the meantime I completed more than 170 marathons and ultra marathons on all seven continents.
The reason why I even started running is the fact that I live off something in the countryside. Every time I was at a party and wanted to go home, I had to walk. To shorten the time I finally ran. This had the positive side effect that I was sober at home. My overall fitness improved as well and so I decided
to accept this practice as a hobby.
WM-We found your story about marathons around the world very interesting. Can you tell us what it’s all about?
ALEX: I found the idea of combining my two hobbies, running and traveling, very appealing. For me, traveling means much more than simply collecting stamps in my passport. It’ss about consciously stepping out of my comfort zone, immersing myself in new ways of thinking, in history and the present. Furthermore, with the goal of running a marathon in every country in the world, there is not danger of constantly traveling to the same places.
WM:How many countries have you run in?
ALEX: I am currently at 119 countries.
WM:How long have you been running, and what does running bring you?
ALEX: I ran my first marathon in Berlin in 2008. Since then, I’ve run around 170 marathons and ultras.
Running relaxes me and has a certain meditative effect on my body and mind. What drives me to do this? Why am I running in Antarctica or 217 km through the desert? It’s completely insane, a waste of resources. Nonsense. If I had just stayed at home or by the pool in the hotel, I could have saved myself the effort. Of course, a 217 km desert run is exhausting. But I don’T;t think about that. The
source of my motivation is testing my own limits. And how far can I go if I really do everything right?
This effort is associated with profound feelings of success that someone who doesn’t rise to the challenge can’;t even begin to empathize with. This prospect of success also allows me to see meaning in what I do. I have to be not only convinced of what I’m doing, but also enthusiastic about it. That’s very important – only inner conviction allows me to act with joy and enthusiasm. It creates the necessary willpower and perseverance.
WM:Do you have any specific training or diet?
ALEX: I used to enjoy following a training plan. But since I associate running with freedom, and following a plan restricts my freedom, I stopped training according to a plan. If I feel like it, I run; if not, I laze around in a hammock. I don’t have a specific nutrition plan, but I like to create challenges for myself.
For example, this year I resolved to stop drinking alcohol and to give up meat and gummy bears.
After about six months, I haven’t noticed any changes in fitness or weight, but giving up gummy bears is pretty tough.
WM: How do you manage your SEASON strategy with so many races?
ALEX:My strategy is that I don’t have a strategy. I try to listen to my body and monitor my heart rate while running.
WM: You chose the Inca Marathon Peru and placed first internationally (the locals are aliens and play in a different league). Tell us about your experience.
ALEX: A beautiful run! I was thrilled. The scenery was impressive, and I really enjoyed the run. The run wasn’t easy, but it rewards you with a unique experience of nature, with moments of incredible beauty and great spirituality.
WM: What did you like most about the experience in Peru?
ALEX: The whole package: the landscape, the culture, the friendly people, the delicious food.
WM: Did you like the Wildmarathon approach to running, immersing yourself in the Inca culture, and doing local activities in an all-inclusive format?
ALEX: Yep! This allowed you to get the most out of your time. This approach requires openness, curiosity, and sometimes courage, and you will be rewarded with encounters, insights, and experiences that will last far beyond the moment.
WM: At the Inca Marathon, you witnessed an Inca ritual before the race. Did you enjoy the experience?
ALEX: Yes, it was very special. The atmosphere in which the ritual took place was perfect.
WM: Tell us about any memorable anecdotes from all your travels around the world.
ALEX: Each run was unique and beautiful but my personal highlights were participating in the 100 HURT and the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii and the BADWATER 135 which I finished in 2014 and 2018. Also special was a marathon in the Bamyan Valley in Afghanistan. Compared to Kabul, it is an idyllic place with very hospitable people. I felt very safe there but a week after returning home I saw on the news how a bomb had exploded in the market where I often shopped and killed 10 people. The cleanest city I have seen so far was Pyongyang in North Korea and the most beautiful beach is definitely in Mozambique. My marathon on Tuvalu, an island nation east of Papua New
Guinea, was also strange. Because the island is so small, it was a challenge to find a suitable route for the marathon. Finally, the race was held at night on the airport’s 1.5 km runway, on which the runners ran back and forth 14 times.
WM:Finally, do you have a specific goal, or is your objective global?
ALEX: Ultimately, the journey is the destination. I’m aware that life will always remain fragments. I try to see each new day as the most important one in my life and enjoy it. I don’t have a five-year plan or anything like that. My mantra is this: There’s no shame in not achieving perfection, but there is shame in not trying. Therefore, no matter what I do, I do it with pleasure and with all my senses, diligence, and a love for perfection.