Berlin Marathon

The long awaited day had come, Sunday 25th September.  The BMW Berlin Marathon.  After the disappointment of the European and Commonwealth Marathon Champs last year I was looking forward to running the Berlin Marathon to put the demons behind me and to move on.  My training had gone very well in the build up to the race.  It made a big change to be training for a marathon during the summer months.  I don't mind training early in the morning duirng the dark months of winter, but it was very nice to be going out running at 5am each morning in shorts and t-shirts and daylight!

In the build up the marathon I had been away to Spain on a family holiday.  The weather was great and the runs went well.  I trained very hard and enjoyed the nice recoveries I got as Kadi and Donna sun bathed!  Virgin London Marathon arrange all my trip to the marathon.  UKA and VLM seemed to get their heads together and offer the opportunity to race in Berlin.  I was already in the race as adidas are a sponsor of the event but when I was informed a group of brits would be going I joined them for it. The set up was excellent.  Travel to the event was good and arranged by VLM.  Hotel excellent, food very good and we were well looked after.

The Friday night before the race we all attended an event set up by VLM which had several members of the British press present.  Dave Bedford and VLM had arranged a cracking meal and it gave us time to talk to the other runners from Britain.

In the hotel I had a lot of time to think and reflect upon my last two marathons and why I hadn't finished them.  Before I knew it was race day and we were heading off on the short walk to the elite tents on the startline.  It was very much like the VLM at the startline.  Elite tents, well setup and everything provided.  I hadn't been to Berlin before and was looking forward to racing on the streets of the city.  I kept telling myself that this course had the world record on it and that it was possible to run quick on the course.  There were some amazing sights on the route but I wasn't going to be wasting time looking at them.

I had a race plan that I was going to stick to.  Or try to stick to.  The gun went bang on 9am and off we went. The leaders were off and down the road.  I settled in to a pace which was a few seconds up on my prior race plan pace but I felt ok and was happy to maintain this pace.  I was running in a group with Ben Whitby and felt fine.  At the back of everyones mind this year is the Olympics, but I was concentrating on trying to run a sub 2.15.  I ran my first 10k in 31.27, a little quicker than I planned but still I was happy.  I hit a bad patch during miles 10 -12 but seemed to recover.  I went through half way on target for running sub 2.15 but it meant I had to run as fast through the second half as I did for the first half.  I started to slow, my calves started to become tight but I just told myself to push on.  I really enjoyed the race and felt good to be running the final mile surrounded by some amazing sights. 

On reflection I am pleased with my run.  I didn't hit the time I was aiming for but finished the race, seem to have come out of it in one piece and looking forward to my next marathon.  In fact I have already arranged my place in the VLM 2012 where I will again be training and aiming for a sub 2.15.

The Berlin Marathon was a great race and I was there when the world record was broken.  Ok, I was some way behind but still there.  There were some very strong british runs that day as well with Scott Overall having an amzing first run over the marathon distance.  Ben Whitby and Antony Ford had great runs and there is many signs they will go quicker in future marathons.

This is a race that I will try to run again one day.

Race Stats from Berlin Marathon Results Site