Run > Race

BERLIN MARATHON

The big one. The culmination of 18 weeks of focussed training, but actually more like one year of planning. We arrived in Berlin on the Thursday night and our hotel (Hotel Melia) was perfectly located on Friedrichstrasse a short walk from the start and many of the tourist attractions. On the Friday morning we went to the Expo to collect my number and browse around the various stands. I tried to buy some racing flats, but none of the manufacturers had my size, which was disappointing. The weather was scorching and we sat out in the sun and had pasta for lunch at the Expo before heading back into town.

We had a wander around in the afternoon, before enjoying a leisurely boat trip on the Spree river. We then had more pasta for dinner and an early night after watching Angels and Demons.

We had a long lie on the Saturday and then walked to the Tiergarten in the afternoon to soak up some of the marathon weekend atmosphere. We watched some of the kids in-line skating races and then found a nice spot in the sun and sun-bathed for a bit. We then took up a good spot on Unter den Linden for the start of the in-line skating marathon, which was very impressive despite my dismissal of it as much easier than running! By then time we made it back down to the Brandenburg Gate it was almost time for the leaders to arrive and they did so in a big bunch, with a bunch sprint which was much more like cyling than running. We then headed out for more pasta (which was great apart from the novel system of making you queue up to order and wait while it was cooked!). Fifty minutes after going to order Carolyn returned with dinner. Another early night followed in preparation for the main event.

Training had gone pretty well and I felt well tapered, well hydrated and well carbed. On marathon day I woke with the alarm at 6.30am and got ready for breakfast. After forgetting to pack my Weetabix we had managed to track some down in Berlin, soIi headed on down to breakfast with my own supplies. A normal breakfast was eaten and I felt ok, although I hadn't managed my usual pre-run nervous poo. I assumed that things would be sorted out once I got to the start.

I arrived at the start in plenty of time and said goodbye to Carolyn, who headed off to the 8k mark. I located the baggage drop and handed in my clothes. It was already pretty warm, so I didn't really need the plastic bags which were handed out to keep the runners warm. I then tried to have a little jog to get the bowels moving. This seemed to work and I headed over to queue for the porta-loos (ooops, forgot toilet roll!). I then made my way back to the grass for some more gentle running. On thing I need to sort out for the future is to set the time on my Garmin, as I didn't really know how much time I had til the start.

I eventually headed over to the start and it was a bit of a bottle neck getting there. It was even worse when I reached the start as the entrance to the "C" section was totally blocked - so much for German efficiency! I evetually resorted to climing over the barriers, which could have been dangerous and I strained my arm slightly. Anyway, I was in and I could see the start, although I was quite a way back.

I couldn't hear what was going on at the front, and I only really knew the race had started when they realeased some yellow balloons. We began to slowly move forwards and it took about 1 minute to cross the start line. It was quite congested there were many slower runners to negotiate - this didn't really bother me and I actually decided it was good to force me to pace myself. I was into my running fairly quickly and I was hitting my target splits of 6.45mm-6.50mm, although I did seem to have to pick the pace up towards the end of each mile. I felt pretty comfortable through the first few miles and I tried to give Caz a thumbs up at 8k.

Nothing much to report for the first few miles. The course was flat and the support was good. The weather was already starting to get hot, but I was trying to take on water at every opportunity. There seemed to be plenty of water stops, although there was the obligatory scrum at each of these as the runners (myself included) fought to get in at the start. I also tried to use the sponge buckets, but invariably missed them.

I felt pretty good for the first 10k, but I started to need the toliet towards 8/9 miles. I knew there were toilets after each drinks station and I knew only too well from a couple of disasterous training runs that it's not possible to hold it in. I made the decision to stop and dashed in for a pit-stop between miles 9 and 10 (as the splits show). I picked up the pace after the stop to try and make up time, but this probably wasted energy. In general my fueling strategy (gels at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20) seemed to work well, but I don't know if they contributed to my problems. To be honest I don't think they did and I'm putting the problems down to not "getting it all out " before the start. This hasn't been a problem before other races and is something I may have to work on - eat breakfast earlier?

Other than the stop I felt good for the first half of the race. I hit half way in 1.29.50, which was probably a little slower than I would have liked - probably due to difference between Garmin and measured course. Ideally I think I need a little more time in the bank - probably better to aim for 1.28.30/1.29.00.

Things started to get tougher in the second half, although the pace was remaining fairly consistent. Caz's plans went all to pot due to rail closures, but she still managed to make it to 8k, 19k, 32k and 39k, which gave me a good boost each time she was there. I continued to try and drink as much as possible and took a bottle of water from Caz at 19k. I also ran through the showers whenever possible. Despite all of the water I took on I was still very dehydrated - it took a lot of liquid at the end before I could managed a pee.

I didn't feel any great change myself, but looking at the HR stats I started to struggle from 18 miles onwards. The pace was still there or thereabouts, but my HR was starting to drift - I had maintained a constant 168-170bpm for most of the race up to there. I had to stop again for a poo between miles 20 and 21 and this probably broke my rhythm up again, although the pace only slowed by about 10-15 secs per mile. Throughout the second half I kept saying to myself to keep hitting my planned pace (which I did on the Garmin) and wait til the last couple of miles and then let rip if I had anything left. Unfortunately, I didn't and the last few miles were a real struggle. I could see the roof of the Reichstag and knew that we would run in the opposite direction to the finish before making a u-turn onto Unter den Linden. The turning just couldn't come quick enough and I felt myself slowing to my first proper 7+mm. I saw Carolyn at 39k and tried to say that I had nothing left. I wasn't really able to soak up the atmosphere going down Under den Linden or through the Brandenburg Gate and my watch was showing 2.59 with at least 500m to go. I could hear Haile being interviewed as I struggled down the last part of the course and over the line. I could tell from the overhead clock that I had missed sub-3 and I looked down at my watch to see 3:00:40. Damn it!! I missed my time by 40 seconds.

What if...I hadn't had to stop twice for the toilets?
What if...it hadn't been so hot?
What if...I'd stuck to the km markers rather than my Garmin?

Anyway, it doesn't matter, I'm not sure I had anything left to give at the end and I'm still chuffed with my performance. I know that sub-3 if there for the taking and it's just a matter of giving it another go. I'm not finished with marathons yet, and I think I even enjoyed it.

Over the line and I collected my medal. I chatted with a couple of people. I had some photos taken then I hobbled off to get a massage - not sure what effect it had as she didn't really push to hard, but it was nice to relax in the sun. I then got my free beer (non-alcoholic!) and set off in search of my clothes.

One thing I have definitely learned (especially for bigger events where I feel the mile/km markers can be trusted) is to pace myself using them, rather than trusting my Garmin. With the exception of my toliet stops and the last couple of miles all my Garmin splits were on track for sub-3, but the Garmin measured the course as 26.43 miles, so I missed sub-3, although I probably hit it at 26.2 miles on the watch. I don't know if I could have speeded up much at the end, but I need to practice hitting the splits at the mile/km markers.

Another thing I definitely need to sort out is the time display on my Garmin. This isn't an issue for shorter races or training, but once the clock passes 59:59 it no longer shows seconds. This makes it almost impossible to work off the mile/km markers, especially when we are only talking about a matter of seconds!!!

1172nd out of 48000 entries

Split Summary

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1) - 1m - 6:49(6:49/m) - 169bpm avge - 175bpm max - 133cal

2) - 1m - 6:46(6:46/m) - 169bpm avge - 175bpm max - 136cal

3) - 1m - 6:44(6:44/m) - 168bpm avge - 174bpm max - 137cal

4) - 1m - 6:50(6:50/m) - 170bpm avge - 179bpm max - 137cal

5) - 1m - 6:39(6:39/m) - 168bpm avge - 174bpm max - 137cal

6) - 1m - 6:49(6:49/m) - 168bpm avge - 171bpm max - 138cal

7) - 1m - 6:43(6:43/m) - 168bpm avge - 172bpm max - 136cal

8) - 1m - 6:42(6:42/m) - 168bpm avge - 173bpm max - 136cal

9) - 1m - 6:48(6:48/m) - 166bpm avge - 171bpm max - 138cal

10) - 1m - 7:04(7:04/m) - 168bpm avge - 177bpm max - 134cal

11) - 1m - 6:43(6:43/m) - 167bpm avge - 170bpm max - 136cal

12) - 1m - 6:47(6:47/m) - 167bpm avge - 172bpm max - 136cal

13) - 1m - 6:47(6:47/m) - 166bpm avge - 171bpm max - 137cal

14) - 1m - 6:45(6:45/m) - 168bpm avge - 173bpm max - 137cal

15) - 1m - 6:47(6:47/m) - 168bpm avge - 171bpm max - 136cal

16) - 1m - 6:49(6:49/m) - 168bpm avge - 174bpm max - 137cal

17) - 1m - 6:53(6:53/m) - 169bpm avge - 172bpm max - 137cal

18) - 1m - 6:48(6:48/m) - 171bpm avge - 174bpm max - 136cal

19) - 1m - 6:49(6:49/m) - 170bpm avge - 174bpm max - 136cal

20) - 1m - 6:49(6:49/m) - 172bpm avge - 175bpm max - 136cal

21) - 1m - 7:03(7:03/m) - 173bpm avge - 175bpm max - 134cal

22) - 1m - 6:53(6:53/m) - 175bpm avge - 179bpm max - 138cal

23) - 1m - 6:52(6:52/m) - 178bpm avge - 180bpm max - 137cal

24) - 1m - 6:52(6:52/m) - 180bpm avge - 182bpm max - 136cal

25) - 1m - 7:05(7:05/m) - 181bpm avge - 184bpm max - 139cal

26) - 1m - 7:04(7:04/m) - 184bpm avge - 186bpm max - 137cal

27) - 0.43m - 3:00(6:58/m) - 186bpm avge - 187bpm max - 59cal

Heart Rate Zone Summary

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HR Zone: 43-151bpm (Sub 70%): 0.1%

HR Zone: 151-159bpm (71-75%): 0.1%

HR Zone: 159-166bpm (76-80%): 19.3%

HR Zone: 166-174bpm (81-85%): 55.5%

HR Zone: 174-182bpm (86-90%): 18.1%

HR Zone: 182-189bpm (91-95%): 7%

Pace Zone Summary

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Pace Zone: 5:00-5:19/mile: 1.1%

Pace Zone: 5:20-5:39/mile: 2.2%

Pace Zone: 5:40-5:59/mile: 5.1%

Pace Zone: 6:00-6:19/mile: 11.1%

Pace Zone: 6:20-6:39/mile: 19.4%

Pace Zone: 6:40-6:59/mile: 21.8%

Pace Zone: 7:00-7:19/mile: 15.8%

Pace Zone: 7:20-7:39/mile: 8.8%

Pace Zone: 7:40-7:59/mile: 4.9%

Pace Zone: 8:00-8:19/mile: 2.9%

Pace Zone: 8:20-8:39/mile: 1.6%