We left for Berlin on Friday late morning. Took us a little longer to reach Berlin with all the constructions going on in Autobahn. We finally made it Lothar's (Andreas's uncle) apartment after around 3h30m journey. Berlin's weather was perfect on the day (a little warm) but it was sunny.
We rested for a while and had some cakes and tea before heading out to the BERLIN VITAL Expo. Most of the people in the train were runners heading the same way. When we reached the place, I was amazed at the number of people at the Expo. There were a lot of booths with great offers. There were just too many things I wanted to buy but got to tighten up my budget, otherwise I can't last the whole trip in Europe. : (
BERLIN VITAL Marathon Expo @ Flughafen Berlin Tempelhof
This used to the old main airport in Berlin
Huge crowd at Expo
The miniature of the Brandenburg Gate at the Expo
The finisher (grey-cotton) and the event's t-shirt (red-climacool). Nope, it's not free.
My racing attire - now regretting should have worn more
The pace timings I prepared the night before the race. One is for 3:00 pace (a little over ambitious with this) and the other for 3:10 pace. It was kind of a last minute decision to write down the pace, don't want to remember the splits during my run.
The morning - Race day
We woke up around 5.45am to get ready as we need to take a train to race venue near Brandenburg Gate. It was raining since Saturday morning and there were no signs that it'll stop. Looks like it's going to be a wet wet run. And COLD one too!
In train journey to starting line
Breakfast of champions
I didn't take the bananas. That's for Andreas. I just had one slice of bread with butter.
Race venue
Everyone was given a green plastic as rain cover before the race when depositing our bag.
Getting ready before depositing bag at counter
The Start
Nearing to start time (9:00am), we slowly make our way to the start line. As we were divided into different starting blocks according to our estimated finishing time, we need to follow the directions to our blocks. I was placed in Block D (3:00 - 3:15 timing) together with Andreas.
The runners started to fill up the blocks. We couldn't see the elites in front of us, as it was quite a distance away. Couldn't event see the back to check on the number of participants (check out some of the photos from external sources below. We are like ants moving in the streets of Berlin!). The wheelchair competition started about 15mins earlier than us. As we were waiting inside the block, my body started shivering and goose pimples were clearly seen. Yet again, I decided to wear less than I should on this cold and wet day. It was different in Melbourne as it was a sunny day. All I had was the green plastic that the organiser gave us, which I threw away right before the start. Met a runner from Germany who has taken part for the 8th time and he was telling me, "Every year it has been a perfect condition for running. You are just bad timing. Come next year, it will be sunny!" As for Andreas, he is running it for the 11th time (I think) but his last run was in 2005/2006.
The Race
The countdown began for the start and finally we're off. It took a few secs before runners finally moved. Probably took me about a min or so before I reached the starting line. Started tracking down the 3:15 pacemaker with the balloons, but with such a big crowds I just went with the flow and left the pacemakers behind. Body started to feel warmer after few kms. I wasn't sure of my pace till I reach the 5km point. There are markers at each km and every 5km (including the half way mark) there will be splits time taken.
All went well at start until disaster strikes (small problem lah) before 20km mark. My left shoe lace came off. I've already tied it double loops before the start as always and even insert the ends inwards. I guess the rain made it slippery and it came off. That's where my chip is too. I thought it was going to be a quick one to tie it up, but my hands were freezing and I couldn't even hold my lace steady. Took me nearly a minute before I managed to tie it. Then one of the corner end of my bib came off. The rain has made the bib no so wet that the pin tore one of the holes. So I had to pin it up again. Don't want it to drop somewhere on the road later in the race.
Didn't see Andreas after the start. Not too sure if he was behind or in front of me. Then the German guy whom I met at the start came up to me and started chatting with me. Told me if it was a sunny day, the crowds on the roadside would be double the size. Again he asked me to come again next year and everything will be perfect. Haha. Then he told me Andreas is just in front of us. I guess he passed me when I was tying up my shoe laces. I caught up with him soon. I was comptemplating to follow him but I was just so excited that I went with the runners in front. It was just amazing, that you are trying to run faster but there's always runners in front of you and it never ends, unless you are the in the lead of course. Front, back, side...runners everywhere! And crowds cheering, bands playing, drummers groups, cheerleaders and so on.....and you have to realise it's a rainy day!
At certain point early in the race, I do feel some discomfort on my legs but tried not to think about it so much. Lothar was waiting for us at km 26 with our self packed bottles. I had mine attached with 2 gels with just water. Andreas had his special drink. Power Gel were give out at 27.5km. I dropped mine trying to open it but luckily I had the two gels I bought with me. Took one right after getting it from Lothar and the other at about 32km. Had a small slice of banana handed out too.
Checked on my pace every 5km. I was about 3 mins off a 3:00 pace for early part of the race but seems like the margin grew as the race went on and it was closer to a sub 3:10 finish. I thought could still do a sub-3 (wishful thinking), if I pushed my pace faster at the last 10-15kms, but right leg started to feel the twitch and I could sense that cramp will strike at any time. Then at the last, maybe 7-8km, I started to feel cold and could feel my goose bumps again. I thought I was hitting the wall or in some kind of hypothermia. Lucky for the long lines of runners along the road and also the crowds, it helped to make you not give up.
Checked on my pace every 5km. I was about 3 mins off a 3:00 pace for early part of the race but seems like the margin grew as the race went on and it was closer to a sub 3:10 finish. I thought could still do a sub-3 (wishful thinking), if I pushed my pace faster at the last 10-15kms, but right leg started to feel the twitch and I could sense that cramp will strike at any time. Then at the last, maybe 7-8km, I started to feel cold and could feel my goose bumps again. I thought I was hitting the wall or in some kind of hypothermia. Lucky for the long lines of runners along the road and also the crowds, it helped to make you not give up.
Finishing
I was still trying to push the pace, but each time I do it, the cramps strikes. Had to shuffle in smaller strides so I don't bend my legs so much but still maintaining the pace. At 40km, watch tells me 2:56 (wish that was the finishing line!), there goes the sub-3 hour! No way I can run 2.195km in less than 4 mins (not even the pros!) Anyway, it was already too much to ask for when I was 4 mins off the pace at 30km mark. I just held on my pace to the finish line. 3:07:06 (gun time) 3:05:38 (net time). Actually tried to run down the clock for a sub 3:07 but was a little too late with the push. A really satisfying effort but wish the weather could be better.
Post-finishing
Had a hard time walking to the clothing tent even with the plastics they hand out to warm-up the runners. I was shivering and in pain on legs and arms. My teeth were chattering. Had a hard time even taking out the timing chip from my shoe to return it to the organiser (Yeah, chips are rented. you don't return it, I get charged extra €25). Quickly changed into my dry clothing and felt a little better.
Met up with Andreas at our pre-determined meeting up place and he told me he ran his fastest race for many years. 3:09:16 (gun time) 3:07:44 (net time). Not near his PB of course. He has a 2:58 PB.
Post-finishing
Had a hard time walking to the clothing tent even with the plastics they hand out to warm-up the runners. I was shivering and in pain on legs and arms. My teeth were chattering. Had a hard time even taking out the timing chip from my shoe to return it to the organiser (Yeah, chips are rented. you don't return it, I get charged extra €25). Quickly changed into my dry clothing and felt a little better.
Met up with Andreas at our pre-determined meeting up place and he told me he ran his fastest race for many years. 3:09:16 (gun time) 3:07:44 (net time). Not near his PB of course. He has a 2:58 PB.
Runners walking to their baggage tents. Goodie bags handed out on the way
Crowds along the finishing straight
Brandenburg Gate - you will pass this going into the finishing straight
The Medal
Not sure why they put Samuel Wanjiru's face on the medal as he has never taken part in the event. Could have put some historical figures in it. As you can see, I got my medal engraved with my name and timing. (Of course have to pay lah!)
Breakdowns of my splits
Lost about 6 secs each km at 35-40km mark, cos that's where I felt the cramps and the cold. Lucky for the crowds and runners along the way made me go on.
First half: 1:32:51
Second Half: 1:32:47
Average pace: 4:23/km
Average speed: 13.64km/h
Statistics (Based on net time)
Men: 1769/26597
M35: 428/4100
Overall: 1826/34027 (7430 women)
No of sub-3 hours runners: 1307 (Men) 37 (Women)
More photos on this link:
1. Photobucket (personal)
4. Runner's World (Germany)
5. Universal Sports
A successful trip to Berlin although I wished the weather could have been kinder to me, but happy with the effort nonetheless. Enjoyed the excitement, the crowds and the runners along the way. Less chance of you giving up with so many people watching you. : )) Got to thank Andreas and also Lothar for this trip!
Lothar was already waiting at home with the beers for us and even bought us Kebabs for lunch. Later that night, Andreas and I met up with his running friends, Theis and Thorsten (both were running the race too) with their wifes for dinner.
My post-marathon dinner!
Next marathon race: Haven't decided yet but I still don't like running marathon....
A successful trip to Berlin although I wished the weather could have been kinder to me, but happy with the effort nonetheless. Enjoyed the excitement, the crowds and the runners along the way. Less chance of you giving up with so many people watching you. : )) Got to thank Andreas and also Lothar for this trip!
Lothar was already waiting at home with the beers for us and even bought us Kebabs for lunch. Later that night, Andreas and I met up with his running friends, Theis and Thorsten (both were running the race too) with their wifes for dinner.
My post-marathon dinner!
Next marathon race: Haven't decided yet but I still don't like running marathon....
