As of: March 30, 2024, 10:00 a.m
By: Rasso Schorer
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Lisa Schäller isn't chasing selfies in alpine terrain, she's chasing best times © sportograf.com/Schäller
Completing the half marathon in 93 minutes was just the start of this season as she sets herself higher goals. Literally. When the Peitinger trail runner Lisa Schäller sets out, she strives towards the peaks.
Peiting - 80 kilometers distance, 4,600 meters in altitude - and all as quickly as possible. These are the sporting challenges that the 33-year-old mother of a five-year-old kindergarten child faces.
Hello Ms. Schäller, you are a trail runner – literally translated as “path runner”. Is that true and what can you actually imagine by it?
Schäller: “Hello, thank you, yes, the translation is correct. That's why trail running is so wonderful and can actually be done anywhere. The competitions are usually not only long, but also involve a lot of elevation gain: you run up and down mountains, circle them or run along the top of the ridge. It’s varied, absolutely beautiful and fascinating.”
Some people probably prefer the cable car. What is so attractive about seeking physical limits on this path?
Schäller: “When I run trails, I run with my whole body and it excites me to see what it can achieve. Of course it's extremely tiring. But the feeling when the mountain has been conquered, the 4x400 altitude difference has been ticked off or the finish line has been crossed is gigantic.”
How did you get a taste for trail running?
Schäller: “I have been running since I was a teenager. I originally come from Schwabmühlhausen, a very small village near Landsberg, and in the country it was the only way I could do sports without my parents having to drive me. When I was 15, I started taking part in competitions, including marathons. After a herniated disc, my doctor basically sent me out on the trails: 'Run more uphill, it's good for you'. I've always trained in hilly terrain anyway, so it wasn't that strange to go running where others hike or mountaineer.”
And even after the switch, did you still enjoy competing?
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Schäller: “Yes, I was totally fascinated by this type of competition. A running event with mandatory equipment, elevation gain and a wide variety of distances. And because the distances are so different and can hardly be compared, there is the ITRA (International Trail Running Association), which gives certain points to most competitions. Placement, field of participants and level of difficulty of the route are evaluated. This creates an evaluation of us runners.”
Last season, collecting points was absolutely successful.
Schäller: “That’s true, the 2023 season went very well for me. My clear goal for the year was to cover a distance of 69 kilometers on the Zugspitzultra Trail, with an ascent of 2,960 meters and a descent of 3,200 meters. The race was already well attended with the participation of four-time Ironman winner Chrissie Wellington. After the interim second place for the women at the Osterfelderkopf, they finished third and eleventh overall with 487 starters. After that came a victory in the physically and mentally brutally tough race in Pitztal over 51 kilometers and 1,800 meters in altitude, which was a real battle against cold, wind and rain and the constant urge to stop early. I also achieved first place for the women and second place overall on the Triglavtrail (26 kilometers; 1,100 meters in altitude). I had quite a setback shortly before the end of the season in Mayrhofen. I had to drop out of the race early there. The plan was 50 kilometers and 3,200 meters in altitude, but after 30 kilometers my body was no longer able to finish the race that day, which is also part of this sport. Third place among women at the Lechlauf in Weißenbach (Austria; 24.5 kilometers, 1,600 meters) was a reconciliatory end to the season.”
What's next for this year and beyond?
Schäller: “After winning my small race and season opener on the second Sunday in March at the half marathon in Ottobeuren, I want to take part in the marathon distance (42.5 kilometers and 2,500 meters in altitude) at the IATF in Innsbruck at the beginning of May. The first highlight of the season will be the Lavaredo Ultra in June (80 kilometers and 4,600 meters in altitude), the second annual goal will be the Transalpine Run (271 kilometers and 17,000 meters in altitude, divided into seven stages). This is a team run that I will do with my coach Felix Hierold.”
Keyword training: In order to prepare for competitions lasting several hours, a half-hour round after work is probably not enough? What does the training look like and how can it be combined with family, job and everyday life?
Schäller: “My day usually starts very early in order to juggle children, household, job and 15 hours of training per week. I work as a trainer in Füssen and coach other runners on a wide variety of distances. Then I give courses, traditionally in the studio. My husband is a really big and unconditional support. My in-laws help us look after our five-year-old child during the week, without them none of this would be possible.”
When you're out in the mountains for hours during training and competitions and pushing your body to the limit - what about the issue of safety? A lot can happen, from health problems to injuries, accidents, natural hazards and so on.
Schäller: “At every competition there are safety precautions such as mandatory equipment and a preliminary discussion. But of course, you always take a certain risk and you have to be aware of it; Distance, weather and nature are not without their challenges. Twisting an ankle at 2,000 meters or a circulatory collapse like in Mayrhofen can end badly in the mountains, so it's important to know your own limits well. When I'm training for long runs, I'm rarely alone and when it does happen, my husband always knows where I am and approximately how long I'll be out for. Even during training, I always carry the most important things with me, such as my cell phone, emergency case, emergency blanket and enough food and fluids. I check the weather conditions before every run and if I can't assess the risk, I don't take any. I’m not just a runner, I’m also a mom and I’m very aware of that.”
Knowing and pushing your own boundaries, while at the same time wrestling with your inner weaker self: What is going on in your head and what can perhaps be transferred to everyday life?
Schäller: “In one or two tough sessions you definitely end up swearing, then the training is not suitable for young people (laughs). At low points in competition and in the more intensive training phases, it helps me to keep in mind what and for whom I am doing this. I then keep saying to myself: 'Your loved ones are waiting for you at the finish, pull yourself together and make sure you get to them!'. At the finish line I sometimes shed a tear or two. I am really very grateful that I can and am allowed to practice this great sport.”
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