Today I decided a good training run would be from my house in Oberhasli up to Regensberg Castle. Regensberg is a hilltop settlement about 7k away from where I live and includes an incline of around 200  meters. This would help me not only with the whole "running" thing, but also the whole "running up a mountain" thing, which constitutes a large part of the Jungfrau Marathon.

View of Regensberg from Oberhasli

Needless to say, I had quite a journey ahead of me. Plus, it was the hottest day of the year so far. So with my trusty sidekick following me on bike with plenty of water, I headed off.

It wasn't so bad, until The Hill...dear Lord - The Hill.

Aaaaaand recover...

Aaand more hill...

Aaaand more hill...

Aaaand yet more hill...

As I made my way up to the summit of Regensberg, I noticed there were a lot more people around than I was expecting. Turns out I decided to run to Regensberg on the day of their Sommerfest. The area was teaming with tourists and locals, all out to enjoy the sunshine and BBQ'd bratwurst. And then here I come, trotting up the hill, a red-faced, wheezing, sweaty mass of determination in a Room to Read hat.

After running uphill for an hour in 30 degree weather (86 degrees Fahrenheit), public decency was the last thing on my mind. As soon as I reached Regensberg Fountain, without a hesitation, I just dunked my entire upper body in. I don't think the locals or tourists appreciated it, particularly the Hungarian couple who were posing for a picture next to the fountain as I barreled my way in, dunking myself head first up to my torso. But it was so hot. Needs must.

Regensberg Fountain, much more picturesque without me in it

The best part of running up a giant hill, however, is once you get to the top, you get to run back down.

If the marathon was downhill, I'd probably be pretty awesome.

On second thought, perhaps not.