Tinka Uphoff – “Germany’s fastest legal expert“

With a personal best of 2:41:35 by the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon and 4th by the German Marathon Championship.  When looking back, what do you remember about it?
Tinka Uphoff: Lots of excitement and emotions as I crossed the finishline.  2016 was for me from a run-ners perspective, not a great year: By the marathon in Hamburg, I was forced to give up and I never got back in the swing of things again. I training for Frankfurt, but me giving up in Hamburg sat in the back of my head: What if I can’t finish? Thankfully through the support of Niels Bubel, Natascha Schmitt and my trainer Kurt Stenzel, I was able to start more relaxed in my runs. And then I knew before I crossed the finishline in Frankfurt: that there would be a new personal best time; totally unexpected! The crossing of the Finishline in the Festhalle is always special, but this time it meant an end to a terrible season and this was extra special for myself! I remember on the great support that I experienced on so many different levels, including the organisor. This helped me so much.
What did you do in your freetime after the marathon?
Tinka: I took a vacation and visited Malaysia and Hong Kong. This was my first vacation outside of Europa and it was great! I also accompanied a friend by Ironman and we took the time to see Langkawi and took a citytour to Hong Kong. In total, it was 4 weeks on no sports and I felt so recovered, that I thought to my-self: Now a little bit of movement would be so good for me.
With your time, you became “Germany’s fastest legal expert“, -how do you feel having this title?
Tinka: Special. Sometimes it feels good, to be aware, what a performance I actually reached. Neverthel-ess, I am still a little ambitious and to the be the best in Germany, its still quite a long way to the top.
How do you do manage is with your job and and your sport?
Tinka: Fun, discipline and a great environment Those are the 3 factors, that are a must for myself. Without fun in sport, I couldn’t push myself to the limit without discipline, I couldn’t reach my dreams and without the support I have, I would be slowed down. The sport and the job, compliment each other, my job for my head and sport for my body, its quite alot of work.
What is special for you with running?
Tinka: Running is a great balance, since in my job I am sitting most of the time and it help me keep a clear head, and when I am training, I am occupied with something else-Running. Its quite important for me to have many friends with whom I can train with togehter.  The makes everything twice as much fun and a harder training, becomes so much easier. Through running I have learned many things: sticking to some and continuing it pays dividends, after an exhausting training, the time to relax is that much better and friends make alot of things that much easier. Many of them I use in several situation in my life. That is why running for me is an important balance in my life.
Personal best time last year- what are your goals for the year 2017?
Tinka: New best times would be nice. And when I talk about it, I talk about in the plural form and on diffe-rent courses. I really like to have new personal bests in the marathon and halfmarathons. I’m motivated and the training is great at the moment. If this continues, I hope to run a good spring and a good autumn marathon. Before and between is still, I hope time for a few other distances.
For the Frankfurt Mainova Halfmarathon you are already registered-are you already looking for to the start in the competition season and what are your plans?
Tinka: Of course, I’m looking for to the halfmarathon, that my club happens to be the organisor of. I will get the opportunity to see alot of familar faces and it will actually be the first test for my spring marathon. My goal is, to have a fast run. How fast, at the moment, I cannot say. The depends on my my training go-es. Last year taught me, to be more careful about trying to predict my times.
The halfmarathon and the marathon in Frankfurt are both fast courses, what makes the Frankfurt streets so fast?
Tinka: For starters, besides the couple of bridges, there are practically no inclines. Secondly, the runs in Frankfurt are usually filled with many starters, and you will always find someone who you can run along side with. The atmosphere on the course is fantastic! And this motivation you and helps you to reach your new best times.
For a person, thats doesn’t know Frankfurt and doesn’t know“Frankfurt-a cool city“-would you confirm this and when yes, why?
Tinka: Of course I would! Frankfurt is a sport city with heart: the are so many sport activities being offe-red, chances and running groups and communities, for example the Frankfurter Laufshop, which over the years evolved and for everyone, regardless of there trainings level, are more than welcomed to come train with them. For me its a dream! Even for those looking for other things Frankfurt has to offer besides sports, Frankfurt has alot to offer. To sum it up: It’s super!
Good luck for your, „hometown run“ on the 12th of March!