For a more in-depth report on the route and its set-up, please read the description I wrote for the submission of this route: From Lowest To Highest (Germany), henceforth referred to as FLTH. ;)
You'll find the most extensive report on my experience of the run by checking my instagram profile @thebotbeyondthebrainz (https://www.instagram.com/p/CDwZOdJDg17/) and clicking on the (daily) reports posted there. For those not of you who are 1) not inclined to read the long reports or 2) don't want to check social media accounts (it ain't everyone's cuppa tea, and I understand) here's a summary:
I had started my running training in March/April 2020 and slowly built up from 4x5KM runs/week to running 3x12KM runs + 30KM weekend longs runs in the timespan between then and August. I had one test run with full gear pack (bivy, sleeping bag, camping cooker (which I did NOT regret, though my pace did, perhaps), water and general useful utensils. Dry weight: 8KG; with water, food: 10KG.) in late July (total: 42KM in searing 36°C along levies) and then hit the road for FLTH on August 15th at 12:45PM. First week was terrible: heatwave in Germany with tempteratures ranging between 32-37°C, and no shade on the levies to hide under for the first ~150K. It felt like I was dying in slow motion. Body slowly recovered after a good night's sleep on Day 4 in the Lüneburger Heide.
Seond week went by significantly more smoothly, with my blisters (which had gone down to muscle tissue at one point, and were bleeding profusely) healed up and turned into callous, rough trail runners skin instead. I also got a handle on what I needed to eat, and when, to not collapse by the roadside. Main meals of the day were: 300gr of oatmeal at breakfast, and 500gr of lentil soup (seasoned with salt and concetrated tomato paste) for dinner. I slept predominantly in the woods, occassionally stopping by hostels though to charge up my tech gear and shower. I had occasional visitors, some friends running a part of the way with me in Hamburg (@querfeldberg https://www.instagram.com/p/CECJQDHCliQ/), my parents visiting me when I passed through Goslar and the Rennsteig, and my brother joining me for a section around Solnhofen and Augsburg (@theboywithnodestination https://www.instagram.com/p/CFc-qq7APupLQ6NHrCXDpxGCPC3hY6gwIRy6oI0/) and who also came along to the highest point of Germany to celebrate finishing the run (https://www.instagram.com/p/CFudIRQgOlDlbigl0et80dvxcp1yRZWJ5wd_w00/).
I resupplied mostly in grocery stores, and sometimes permanently borrowing potatoes from the sprawling potato fields around me. Water was acquired from springs, helpful strangers, and café/restaurant bathroom taps. I also drank ridiculous amounts of Fanta, and regret nothing.