I felt it was time I wrote a new blog. I just can't fit my time in Berlin into a 140 character Twitter update. So I did it! After 23 hard weeks and almost 700 miles of training I ran the 36th Real Berlin Marathon on the 20th September 2009. I have this sheet of paper with a short list of things I would like to achieve in life. I have now scored out the 'Run a Marathon before you are 25', but no I will not say what else is on the list!
So I arrived in Berlin on the Friday. On the plane over there must have been at least 200 other runners with me. There was a really great atmosphere, but I have to say that even this early on I started getting quite nervous. I had been preparing for this event for the last 6 months and only now was it properly starting to sink in and I had been talking to everyone about it endlessly - especially over the last couple of weeks before I left. Suddenly now having set foot on German soil I had to actually go and run it - fuck!
At Schonefeld train station I bought my 7 day AB travel pass - this covers trains, trams, metro and busses in the A and B Area of Berlin) - and guess how much? 26 Euros! Puts SPT to shame. I got off at Alexanderplatz and changed there for the U2 line to Rosa-Luxembourg Platz - the station right next to the OTA Berlin Apartments where I would be staying for the next 5 days. Once I had checked in, I sat with the owner who helped me out with some of my travel plans. I was staying in Mitte which is right in the centre so I knew that most of the places I needed to get to were walking distance, but my main questions related to how I would get to/from the Marathon Start/Finish Line. I then headed out to Berlin Vital Expo to pick up my Race Pack (race number, Championship Chip, T-Shirt, Sponge and Free Pasta). This year they held it at the former Tempelhof Airport with something like 5 hangers full of running gear - some of which is yet to be released. I could have easily spent a fortune here, but I just stuck with the Race Pack and remained focus on what was to come.
On the Saturday before the long 42 kilometre race through Berlin, runners gather traditionally at 9:30 a.m. for the Breakfast Run, to slowly warm up for the big race the following day with a short run. The approx. 6 kilometre warm-up course runs from the Charlottenburg Palace on Spandauer Damm to the Olympic Stadium where we all have breakfast. My initial thoughts were that it would not be such a great idea running any distance at all a day before the Marathon, but once we set off I realised that not only was the pace controlled - it was a nice steady pace also. This was a great opportunity to get a feel for what the big run would be like the next day. Many spectators lined the route to cheer us along and people were singing, doing Mexican Waves and all sorts. Such a great atmosphere especially when running through the tunnel into the Olympic Stadium (where Usain Bolt broke the record just a couple of weeks ago) for the 400m blue track finish before breakfast. Great stuff.
On my way back to the flat I picked up some Muesli and fresh fruit. I decided against having anything too filling to eat that could potentially cause harm on the big day. One of the most important things (along with all the training) is the food you eat on the morning of the marathon. Light cereals work best for me. I stayed in and watched Sunset Boulevard on TV which was dubbed in German. That made it quite interesting! Strange as it may be I kinda got used to it after a while and managed to watch it all the way through - even though I can't understand a word of German! After some late night stretches I went to bed. I expected to be up all night thinking too much/sweating away etc about the day ahead, but I actually managed to sleep just fine despite a late night call which let's just say did NOT go down well.
When my alarm went off at 05:45am on Sunday I was already awake and ready to go. I was up extra early to ensure there was no need for me to rush at any point before the marathon at 9. I took a quick shower, applied all the required skin/sun lotions for the run, donned my chosen running gear and race number, my Saucony ProGrid Omni 8 running trainers with Championship Chip (records my official time) attached to right shoe, my iPod Shuffle containing pre-selected running albums by Kings of Leon, There Will Be Fireworks, Frightened Rabbit, The Temper Trap and Sigur Ros alongside my Sennheiser PMX 80 Sport running headphones - let's do this! On the U-Bahn to Potsdamer Platz there was no room to move with all the runners crammed in like sardines. I am glad I chose not to cover up on the way to the run as it was extremely hot underground and some people exited the trains already dripping with sweat. In the short walk from Potsdamer Platz to the Start line the nerves really started to kick in. Alongside a sea of other runners there was this real eerie silence for the entire walk...a few people running up and down to warm up...I did nothing of the sort until I had dropped off my Race Bag and was at the Start Line.
It wasn't until I turned onto Strasse des 17. Juni facing the start line with the Siegessaule in the distance that I realised how many people there were about to run this Marathon with me (I believe the starting number was over 40'000). It felt like standing at the back of the crowd at TITP. I began scanning the area for the Yellow Balloons that the Pacemakers were carrying. It took me some time, but after about 15 minutes I was able to shuffle through all the runners to get right up next to the 4hrs Pacemaker - and what was he wearing? A kilt of course with a Jimmy Hat with a brave attempt at a Scottish accent to boot. My plan was to run alongside this guy for 30km then perhaps push for a sub 4hr time if everything was perfect. It was meant to be. My main worry of course was the predicted hot weather forecast predicted - I think they said it might hit 25, but I can't remember. Heat can really kill a race for you especially if you are looking to get a good time. All sorts of things can go wrong and majorly so if you haven't trained at least a little bit in the heat which thanks to that short heat wave we had in Scotland for 1 week a couple of months ago I at least had something to go by.
At 08.45 I began doing my basic stretches and my last sip of water before the race. I felt perfect and was ready to go. At around 8:50 or so they began announcing the Elite Athletes up at the front - Haile Gebresalassie (WR holder), Duncan Tibet, Francis Kiprop etc along with many loud cheers from the crowd. Then right before the race they started to play "Chariots of Fire" by Vangelis. You might be thinking that this is a little cheesy, but I got goose bumps and was almost shaking with nerves for the next couple of minutes before the gun was fired. I can confirm that I have never been so nervous in my entire life. The pacemaker reminded myself and a few others alongside him to use him only as an aid to get the pace going and that in the end we were all running our own race and wished us the best of luck.
Bang on 09:00 all the front runners were off at alarming speed (20.7km/h I believe). It would take a further 13 minutes before we crossed the finish line, but once we crossed it we were off. It took a good couple of minutes before I got into my stride to the sounds of Kings of Leon and made sure that I remained next to the 04:00 Pacemaker for what was intended to be for the duration of the race. I ran the first 5k at a comfortable 28 minutes and for the next two 5k's I ran 28mins also. At 10k my time was 0:56:17. However, once I hit around 18k I really started to feel the heat. Things were starting to get pretty tough (I am told it reached a temperature of 26 degrees). It didn't help that I had missed the last water station. I had to learn as I went, but the thing to do is to actually run ahead a little when you see the water stations so that you don't lose time. It is just absolute chaos at the water stations and some really stupid people just stop dead in front of you then walk over. At the first water station I didn't have to stop, but found I had to jump over several people that made the mistake of stopping dead rather than gradually veering off towards the station (the way you are supposed to). Madness.
Anyway, once I hit 20km I realised I was a little behind my sub 4hr target. I had run the previous 5k in 31minutes with the 4hr pacemaker a few hundred yards in front. When I crossed the Halfway line I had a time of 02:01:35 which was when I realised that unless I really picked up the pace in the final 5 or 10k my aim for a sub 4hr time wasn't going to happen today. My slowest 5k was between 20 and 25k which took 35 minutes after which I took my time at the next water station - 2 cups water, 4 banana's, 1 tea, 1 basica energy drink. I also made use of my sponge. I hadn't planned on taking it with me for the race, but boy did I need it!
At 30km I had a time of 3:03:05. The 5k between 25 and 30k in 34 minutes. I had used the previous 2km to get back into my marathon pace. Once I crossed the 30km line I turned on the There Will Be Fireworks album. As I do not own a heart rate monitor, or any Garmin gear for that matter, I knew that at marathon pace I would run 1km(or 0.6 miles) in around 6minutes. I worked this out by calculating the distance from my house to Great Western Road (Exactly 1km) and knowing that it took me the first 2 tracks of the TWBF album to cover it.
At 35km I had covered the last 5km in 31minutes. I was back on track and I felt great going into the final 10k. I had to take my headphones off momentarily as the crowds were amazing at this point. Along with all the bands along the route there were just thousands and thousands lining the streets. After a run under one of the fire hoses I high-fived some of the kids cheering along the route and got back into the race. At 40k I realised things were slowing a little as I ran it in 35minutes so for the last 2km or so as I turned to see the Brandenburg Tor in the distance I really picked up the pace. It is indescribable the feeling running through the Brandenburg Gate just after 41km. I had my fist in the air and everything. So overwhelming and I won't lie - I think there were a few tears also, but it was worth it if only just for this one single moment. Once through the Gate it was a sprint to the finish line. Besides some trouble at halfway there were no problems - my legs were still going and I felt great. How I was able to sprint for the remaining half km I have no idea, but I had enough left in the tank to cross the finish line with 04:37:03 on the clock. I would find out later that my official time for the race was 04:23:46 with an average speed of 9.6km/h and 6mins 15 per km. Not sub 4h pace, but being my first marathon and in such heat I am just happy I got through it and with no wall or injuries to stop me and am very happy with my time.
In the finish area things had stopped dead and my legs really started to cramp up at this point. I had my medal and Erdinger AlkoholFrei in hand (and boy did it taste great!). All that was left was my Massage and to have my medal engraved. Along with my friend Oliver we must have went back and forth from the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate at least 4 times with wrong directions to here there and wherever. My legs were so painful at this point. I had to sit down, but once I got to the massage area and had what would be my first ever massage (and easily the most painful for some time I think) I was up again and felt great. After a few finisher photos I decided to walk back to Alexander Platz (around 4km) to ease off my legs. This was NOT such a good idea!
After a couple of hours of rest, a long shower and applying some creams for my feet (they were such a mess after the run) I was off out to Goya for the Marathon After-Party. Here I was just inches from the legend that is Haile Gebresalassie. He was unable to break the record this year, but still managed to cross the finish line in an incredible time of 2hrs 6mins. He claims that he can do a sub 2.03 time if conditions are an ideal 17 degrees with light winds. Yes and me too Haile! He gave us a little dance on stage, said congrats to everybody then played us a tune on the keyboard - this is what he does to relax when not running 2 marathons a day during training. It was at this point I turned round to notice what I can only describe as a Saturday night on Sauchiehall Street - everyone was limping around as if in slow motion. So fragile. This made me laugh, realising that I wasn't the only one suffering from what was a hell of a race. I partied until the early hours with some of the Kenyan runners (I think they were the pacemakers, but don't quote me on that), some Danish runners and a group of Hungarian models who liked my accent. Can't complain and let's just say my first beer in 6months went down WELL. We were all thrown out around 2am, but I was up for more. We were then joined by our new local friend Sebastian who gave us a personalised unscripted walking tour around central Berlin as we scoped for any open bars/clubs. When it got to around 3am this group ended up just being Sebastian and myself. We decided to just grab a few beers from a paper stand, grab a few chairs and set up outside Hotel Adlon (the one where Michael Jackson held Blanket out the window yes) facing Brandenburg Tor for Sunrise. If only I had a camera!
The next day (Monday) I was up early and surprisingly felt just fine. My plan was to visit Studio Babelsberg in Potsdam. Being the oldest film studio in the world, I felt I had to while I was here. They filmed Fritz Lang's 'Metropolis' and Josef von Sternberg's 'The Blue Angel' among many others including, most recently, Tarantino's' Inglourious Basterds'. I also ended up getting a surprise call from Maja with an invite to Munich for Oktoberfest. More on that later. Once I got there I noticed that the Filmpark itself was closed on Mondays, but with the Cafe inside the official Studio Lot open this was my only alternative. On the way I had a sneak peek inside some of the sound stages as I walked along G.W. Pabst Strasse. The place was huge. I would love to film here one day, I thought. I had a beer with some film students/filmmakers at the cafe before heading back to town. I decided to take it easy on my last night here so I went to the Kulturbrauerei in Prenzlauerberg for some great beer and a wee dance with a nice German girl who failed to pronounce my name so she called me Dave instead.
I woke up Tuesday morning nice and early with my bags already packed and ready to go. My initial intentions were to cycle to Schonefeld Airport (around 35k), but when I got down the desk to Check Out I was told that I had just 25 minutes to get there in time (the old local time mix up. It wasn't clear on my Easyjet printout awright?!). They booked me a taxi and were flying along the AutoBahn at what must have been at 120mph. Madness. I arrived at the airport at 12:23. Check-in Closed at 12:20. I wasn't allowed through, but it would be ok if I only had hand luggage. So ok I said. Here, destroy my case. It's just smelly running clothes. I will run to the plane I say pointing to my medal and then my running trainers - No she says. Gutted. So I change my flight to same time next day and head back into Berlin! I call home to give an update then Lesley at work and all was ok. Plus for my flat I had already paid for 5 nights minimum so no extra cost on staying an extra day/night. I decided to make the most of it and do the 1 thing I had left to do - Cycle the Berlin Wall Trail.
Once I got back to the flat some jokes were had at my expense, but they were totally cool about it (thank you OTA) and I went for a walk to the nearest Bike rental area. Here I unveiled my crazy plan to my new Berliner friend George Wanjala. I wanted to cycle the route of the Berlin Wall - the main North-South divide through the centre of Berlin (42km) then perhaps consider doing the full 160km round West Berlin through the night depending how I felt. Hell yes! I had my bike and headed up to the northernmost point where I would start. I realised almost instantly that this was the best way to see the city - and fast. Although I have to say that the signage could have been better! I got a little lost around Potsdamer Platz and once I was out into the forest in the dark around Charlottenbourg area. From what I could work out from the map I took a wrong turn towards Schonefeld Airport at around 50km into the trail. It was pitch black at this point and cycling through sandy paths with nothing and noone in sight for miles.
The first sign of life and I headed straight for it. This turned out to be a traditional remote German hotel where I had a massive dinner, a beer, then instructions on how to get to Liechtenstrabe where I could then cycle straight ahead for a final 5km to get the U-Bahn back to Berlin. So I managed 60k in the end and with ease. If I had a full day I am pretty sure I could have done the full 160k. It would have just been a little too crazy (even by my standards) to cycle through the night. I got back to the flat around 2am and returned the bike the following morning. Next time I go to Berlin I intend to cycle the full trail and at record speed! Although, I can still say that I did it! At least the main part of the wall anyway. At the airport I spotted a sale on Mini Kegs in Duty Free. Paulaner and more. I couldn't resist! Ended up on the plane with under each arm. The kegs of course ended up at Morag's flat party last night.
So that brings us up-to-date pretty much. For the next week or 2 I will rest my legs before I get back into training. I may be going to Munich next weekend for Oktoberfest and to visit Maja. Only possible if I am able to get next Monday morning off work. Think I should go? I am not sure when my next Marathon will be, but I intend to continue training towards a sub4 time and who knows maybe in a year a sub3. I hope to eventually run all the 5 Marathon Majors (Berlin, London, New York, Chicago, Boston). We will see. Suffering from runners back, however, I have been advised to take up Yoga and given I will be training into the Winter I will probably have to join a Gym to avoid the Ice on the roads and finally start working on some Upper Body Strength. I am also strongly considering going Teetotal. I can't say I missed being hungover (like I was this morning. Cheers for the punch Morag!) during my disciplined no-alcohol stance for the last 6 months of training and there were just endless benefits along with the incredible fitness from such an intense training programme. The good thing about running is that you can run anywhere and at any time and it is easily the fastest way to get fit - fuck your Wii Fit, fucking iGym, your Carbo Crunchies and yer Botox bars. Just get out there and run. Cheers to all for the support. Pictures will be up soon as I have them.
Take Care
R
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