Katharina Steinruck looks back with satisfaction on the first two tasks she had set herself for the start of the season this year.

In a ten-kilometer run in Rodgau at the beginning of the month, the Frankfurt Eintracht marathon specialist set a new course record on the forest paths in 32:46 minutes.

Two weeks later, last Sunday, the 32-year-old topped her own best time over 21.1 kilometers by 38 seconds.

In Lille, France, she finished sixth after 70:05 minutes in a strong field and was the best non-African participant.

“Found a very nice group of men”

The Olympic participant in Tokyo admits that she was "very insecure" before the race.

After a good training structure, the daughter of national coach Katrin Dörre-Heinig recently suffered from "private stress".

She didn't feel as good as she could have after the trouble-free months of preparation.

It was also quite cold in the north of the neighboring country.

"All or nothing," she said to herself.

"Fortunately, I found a very nice group of men" with whom she could "roll" to the finish.

It turned out to be another successful performance.

One that left you wanting more.

As early as April 3rd in Berlin, she wants to take part in a half marathon again.

Then she should finally fall, the 70-minute mark, which she had just barely exceeded this time.

However, the 2017 winner will not start at the German Marathon Championships in Hanover, which will be held at the same time as the event in the capital.

A classic is not popular with her this spring.

Only in the summer, at one of the two major events, does Steinruck want to compete again over 42.195 kilometers.

With her time of 2:25:59 from last year, she would have qualified for both the World Championships in July in Eugene (USA) and the home European Championships a month later in Munich.

But only one use will be possible.

Born in Leipzig, who has to make a decision by the end of April, is torn.

A race in your own country and with the spectators on your own side who have been missing for a long time due to the pandemic would be nice.

However, in the schedule of the multi-sport event European Championships, in which the track and field athletes also hold their continental title fights, the women's marathon is scheduled for 10.30 a.m.

In the middle of August in the city, the organizers risked, as Steinruck explains, with images similar to those at the 2019 World Cup in Doha and the games in Japan, when athletes were overworked on the side of the road due to the heat.

This is unacceptable with regard to the health of the participants;

moreover, the performance of those who made it to the finish despite the difficult conditions did not reflect what the athletes are actually capable of.

In various ways, including by means of a petition, the running elite lodges an objection and tries to persuade the organizers to change the start time.

According to Steinruck, whether she will achieve something also depends on which path she will take in the coming months.