“Training Camp” Vacation as a family of four

Posted On January 28, 2024

Gsiesertal, our favourite destination

Gsiesertal is our most-liked destination for hiking and running. We’ve been often there Thorsten and I, and then together with Thomas, when he was about 4 months old. It came Bene’s turn, when he was also around 4 months old and Thomas have not yet turned 2. So it was predestined to be challenging ?. Somebody could say this only by looking at what we had in the car. I barely could get out and back in.

This time our accommodation was at the end of the Cassies Valley, in Sankt Magdalena. We lived for one week in a nice apartment, in a farm house, Burgerhof. Beside being busy the whole day with the animals and everything that a farm means, our host had also a few apartments to rent. The location was quite isolated, but the hiking paths were practically in front of the door and the views were amazing. They even had a small playground for the children and a sauna, which we privately used, since there were not too many tourists at the end of March.

For us the location was idyllic, but we didn’t really know what it normally means to keep everything running in a farm. Our host told us, they haven’t been on vacation for more than 15 years. They were too busy running their farm and renting the apartments. And they also had 4 kids (older than ours, but still…). Apparently everything is doable, one just needs to set priorities and make compromises. 

But now “let’s talk” about our training camp vacation with two small children ?‍?‍?‍?, in March 2023. We named vacation what we did there, but it was again a training camp even harder than Mallnitz in February 2022. Even if it was end of March already, in Gsiesertal the snow was not totally gone. Actually it snowed while we were there. 

First Day (24.03.2023) – Walking to St. Anna Chapel

Usually, when we arrive at a new place, we start with a walk. This time it was a short one, to the St. Anna chapel, close to us. We prayed to have a good week, even we knew it will be hard from time to time. We were trying quite a lot of new things: away for more days with two very small kids, Thommy sleeping alone in a huge, open bed for the first time, us taking turns to train while the other one takes care of the children, me starting my trail running season after more than one year and us trying to enjoy our time as much as possible even tired ?. I must admit, sometimes for me it was hard and I complained, but still did the trainings.

Second Day (25.03.2023) – Shopping and hiking

The second day started with a not so short walk (5 km) to the supermarket. Since we were cooking ourselves for the entire week, we needed something to put on the table. We could buy eggs, butter and jam from the host, but the rest we had to get ourselves. 

In the afternoon we did a middle long hike to Uwald Alm. A very nice hut, but it was closed at that point and our lunch break was quite cold. We still did some beautiful pictures though. As usually, Thorsten knew a shortcut from the normal way and we ended up in deep snow, which made us slower due to the heavy backpacks ?. Going down, it was the first time for Thomas to walk alone through the snow. Until then he was not a fan of it, but now he learnt it very fast and became quickly sure on his steps. 

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Third Day (26.03.2023) – Trail running

I finally started my trail running season on that third day. In the morning I ran to Kradorferalm, a hut in an idyllical place, at around 1700 m altitude. There were only 7.5 km with approximately 400 m elevation gain, but for me at that time was enough. Oh God, it felt so good to be free for two hours and just enjoy the landscapes and push myself to come back in shape. 

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In the afternoon ran Thorsten, while I had my turn to take care of Thomas and Bene. Thorsten started already with a serious run to several alps: Stumpfalm -> Kaseralm -> Messneralm -> Kradorfer Alm. There were about 22 km with 1000 m elevation gain and he just needed half an hour longer than I did for my 7.5 km ?. 

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Fourth Day (27.03.2023) – Hiking to Ascht-Alm

We alternated running and hiking, and the fourth day we did a hike to Ascht-Alm. I remember I was quite tired and wanted to skip and just relax, but Thorsten was so persistent until I gave up for a short hike, which ended up in a longer one. The closer the hut was, the more beautiful the landscapes. We felt like in the winter wonderland while going up. A delicious Kaiserschmarrn and a hot chocolate recharged our batteries. We really recommend the hut, the hosts are nice and the location is wonderful.

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Fifth Day (28.03.2023) –  Trail running

With every run I did, I tried to increase the distance and the gained elevation. This time were 9 km with 400 m elevation gain along the beautiful Talblickweg. I ran there so many times, but I never got bored.

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Thorsten’s runs were a bit higher and with even more spectacular landscapes. On that day he ran around 38 km with approximately 1900 elevation gain! One can be envious on his performances ?.

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Usually on the running days we took turns in the afternoon and went into the sauna. We needed a bit of silence and alone time, because the children were demanding. Thomas got sick, had fever every day and was in a bad mood quite often. 

Sixth day (29.03.2023) – Shopping and hiking to Stumpfalm

After another half day shopping, because the fridge was almost empty, we did a hike to Stumpfalm, close to the Almweg 2000, a superb and long hiking path above 2000 m. 

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The hike was technically not hard, but it felt long and the kids were heavy. In the end were 11 km with around 550 m elevation gain. We were happy to reach the hut and dreamt about a Kaiserschmarrn to recharge the batteries, but to our surprise, the owner closed the door in front of our eyes. He had an appointment ?. Luckily I always have something to eat in my rucksack, so we just shared a few peanuts and some protein bar, Bene got his Milk, we took some very nice fotos and went down as fast as possible, before we got too hungry. This was really one day were we used our fat reserves to move. At home we cooked then something delicious and warm. I think I even made pancakes …

Seventh Day (30.03.2023) – Trail running

For me it was a longer trail run (13 km with 600 m elevation gain) again along the wonderful Talblickweg. I ran this route in September 2021 and now I did it again, but in the other direction. I even passed by the accommodation we had in 2021, the Blasla Hof, which we warmly recommend. 

I had both a bit of snow and ice on the way, but also totally beautiful spring landscapes. I think there is nothing that makes me feel better than trail running. It is just me, my body and mind on the trails, moving further, pushing each other when one part is tired and in the end reaching the finish point and having an explosion of endorphins. I cannot really describe this, one has to experience this himself. I wanted to get fast in shape again and be able to run longer distances. At that moment, 13 km felt long ?.

Thorsten ran the same route as I did, but in less time, of course.

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Eighth Day (31.03.2023) – Hiking to Kradorferalm and Moosalm

And yet another hiking day, with Thomas having fever and me starting to also having a cough. The kids were warmly wrapped and they were even sleeping for a long part of the hike, which gave us also some relaxed time. We still go with the children outside, even if they are sick. Fresh air is the best for them, they just need more clothes or we do short walks/hikes. In the end we made a short late lunch break at the Moosalm, had a nice meal and got warm. If I remember correctly, that night Bene started also to feel sick.

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Nineth Day (01.04.2023) – Trail running

On the last day before driving home, we had a trail run on our agenda. I was already coughing and feeling a bit weak, but I still did this. I would have had regretted it if I wouldn’t have taken the last chance to train at a higher altitude. Initially I said I will just run 4 km, but in the end were 8 km with 500 m elevation gain. I just couldn’t stop, it was my last chance of having a bit of silence, clean up my head and enjoy a beautiful spring day.

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Thorsten ended up the “training camp” with a longer afternoon run: about 28 km with approximately 1600 elevation gain. I am totally astonished of his physical and mental condition and I admire his determination.

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Tenth Day (02.04.2023) – Walking to St. Anna Chapel

After we bought all the blueberries jam jars our host had, we ended our vacation again with a walk to St. Anna chapel. This time we prayed for a good trip back home. Both kids were sick and the trip was not the shortest one. But everything went well, even with fever the children felt already better when they realised they are at home. We were physically exhausted, but prepared for the normal day to day life, until our next adventures.

Our vacation in numbers

Looking back at what we did, these are the numbers: I ran 30 km with a total of 2300 m elevation gain in cumulated 6 h. Thorsten ran 102 km with around 5200 m elevation gain in about 10 h. Together we hiked 37 km with 1930 m elevation gain and we walked between 15 and 17 km in total.  Maybe not that impressive for 10 days, but it should not be ignored that we had our small beasties with us and we were permanently changing the roles: parents and hobby runners.

Grateful

At the end of our holidays we were innerly relieved, free, happy, balanced. Even if it has been challenging, it was in the end so rewarding, for all of us. We are so grateful to even be capable to do this, be healthy and able to enjoy the beauty of the nature, move in the fresh air, get energised, push ourselves and get stronger. We want to be an example for Thommy and Bene and I really hope they will appreciate our efforts and will enjoy this as much as we do.