Markus Merk: From the referee to extreme athlete - an incredible adventure!

Markus Merk: From the referee to extreme athlete - an incredible adventure!

Weisenheim am Berg, Deutschland - Markus Merk, the renowned former football referee, has made a name for himself as an extreme athlete and leads an active lifestyle that goes far beyond the referee. At the age of 63, he took part in demanding competitions in recent years, such as the Sable Marathon in Morocco. This challenging race extends over 250 kilometers and is carried out in seven stages, whereby the longest stage measures 82.5 kilometers, which Merk mastered in over 16 hours. During this extreme race, he not only had to lose six kilograms, but also experienced a sandstorm and suffered from gastrointestinal complaints. He himself describes this race as "the hardest foot race on earth" and emphasizes the challenges that it brings with it because the participants have to bring their own food while water and tents are provided.

This extreme sporting passion is more than just a hobby for Merk. He has already participated in the North Pole in numerous ultra -trails and expeditions. He lives with his wife Sabine in Weisenheim on the mountain, where they operate a farm. Her common motto, "Life takes place today", reflects its active lifestyle. He recently announced that he would like to take part in a tour of 83 kilometers on Lake Constance in June. Despite health challenges, such as knee operation and frost damage to two fingers, Merk started strength training two years ago to strengthen his muscles and prepare for such competitions.

passion for running

dr. Markus Merk is what you can call a passionate runner. Beyond his referee career, which began in the Bundesliga in 1988, he sees running as an energy source. In interviews, he describes the experiences of his referee colleagues, who admired him as a runner at performance tests. On average, referees run about 11 to 12 kilometers per game, although the interval load is very high. For Merk, training is not just a duty, but a way to improve your own fitness.

He played his first marathon at the age of 14 in the Black Forest and has organized several marathons since then. He emphasizes that the fun of running is in the foreground for him. It needs little equipment - only running shoes, comfortable clothes and a strong portion of motivation. Running helps him to sort his thoughts by working day and games and to process what has been experienced.

extreme sport and its challenges

extreme sports, such as those who exercise Merk, offer both joy and challenges. According to studies, extreme sports are admired, but also viewed critically. Athletes like Merk consciously expose themselves to test their limits. The relatives of such sports are aware of the risks and train specifically to avoid injuries. The latest statistics show that badly trained hobby athletes are often affected by injuries.

Extreme athletes often motivates the desire for health and fitness, whereby men often approach their sport more performance -oriented. Very right to prepare, because wrong training can have serious consequences. Nevertheless, sports psychological studies show that successful challenges can have many positive effects on self -esteem and your own quality of life. For many, running and participation in extreme sports competitions is a way to gain control over fears and to gain extraordinary experiences.

Markus Merk remains an impressive example of how sporting challenges can be not only physically, but also emotionally enriching. He proves that the love of sport and an active lifestyle are also required in old age and can give a lot of joy.

For more information about Markus Merk's activities, the challenges in extreme sports and the importance of movement are available to a variety of resources. The articles from Dewezet , BMW Berlin Marathon and Gesundheits.gv.at .