Trail running in the Alpstein

Review of the trail running weekend
by Zenit Run.

Day 1 – Friday

The trail running weekend started on Friday afternoon in front of the Weissbad Lodge. In perfect weather, Christian Huber from Hof Weissbad welcomed us with information about the hotel and the camp in general and presented all participants with a goodie bag containing local products. Before we started our first trail running lap at 4 p.m., the participants had the opportunity to test Norda shoes. Then it was time to hit the trails – the Trailtrophy route "Appenzell Sightseeing" was perfect for warming up. The relaxed pace gave us a chance to get to know each other better, and the short breaks were ideal for some initial technical tips. After a little rest and a shower, the next highlight was already on the agenda – a delicious three-course meal at Hof Weissbad accompanied by music from Marius Bear.

Day 2 – Saturday

After a successful first day, we started Saturday with lots of enthusiasm. An adventure trail run on the Hohe Kasten was on the agenda. We used the first steep climb to give the participants some tips on pole technique, which they then put into practice straight away. Once we arrived at Sämtisersee, Maximilian Gierl gave a short presentation on how to take photos and videos with a cell phone. We then continued running towards Fälenseee, up to Saxerlücke and via Staubern to the Hohe Kasten, where we enjoyed a leisurely meal in the panorama restaurant. Some of the group made the descent on foot, while others took the train back to the starting point. Back at the lodge, we took advantage of the beautiful weather to do a short strength and mobility training session in the garden. Angelika Lehmann led the training with great charm, which meant that everyone gave it their all.
After some individual time out in the bathing and wellness area of the Hof Weissbad, the evening program featured presentations on the topic of "The Fascination of Trail Running." Around 30 people, including the camp participants, other hotel guests, and locals, attended the presentations, which were followed by drinks and snacks. To convey our passion, we shared our experiences from three different perspectives:

– Thomas Häusermann on the topic of "Daily trail running as a motivational solution."
– Angelika Lehmann on the topic of "Trail running as a family experience."
– Nico Dalcolmo on the topic "How does the elite train?"

After exciting discussions during the aperitif and an excellent dinner in the restaurant of the Hof Weissbad, we ended the evening in a cozy atmosphere at the bar.

Day 3 Sunday

Sunday started with coffee and an excellent breakfast before we gathered in front of the lodge for a warm-up together. We then set off towards Ebenalp. We marched up the ascent, partly with poles, partly without. Once at the top, we fortified ourselves with an Appenzeller Bärli-Biber before continuing the tour towards Schäfler. The next section was technically demanding, requiring concentrated running. Running along unique rock formations and on varied trails was great fun. The group, which had become somewhat scattered during the technical downhill section, reunited at the Seealpsee lake. We then completed the last few kilometers back to the starting point at the Weissbad Lodge as a group. On the large, sunny terrace, we sipped iced tea and ate excellent hot dogs – a perfect end to the day. After a shower, the group went their separate ways with many unique memories.
A big thank you to the Hof Weissbad, the participants, and Maximilian Gierl, who made the first Zenit run trail running weekend a unique experience in the Alpstein region!