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Berlin Marathon 2018
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> Hello, this is my first Berlin marathon. Does anyone know if there is a possibility to get my supply (isodrink, gels,...) somewhere on the parcour? My brother joins me and he wants to give me my supps
> Thank you!
There are regular hydration and fuelling points throughout the course. Roughly, 1-2 every 5km. They have water at every station and carbohydrate drink at 2/3 of those. This year, they're offering a new carbohydrate drink - Beetster. I'd recommending ordering some and trying it before race day just to make sure you're accustomed to it.
> Going to be my first marathon ever and since I was born in Berlin I'm particularly excited for it. Any tips/advice/things you would have liked to know for a first time runner?
How is your preparation going @oligoschow?
Fluid and Nutrition Stations with Water, Tea* (warm & cold), ultraSPORTS Beetster, bananas, apples are located at following KM-points: 9 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 36k
The first 4 aid stations are on both sides of the course (9 - 15 - 20 - 25k)
Refreshment Stations with water are located at KM-points as follows: 5 / 12 / 17,5 / 22,5 / 27,5 / 32,5 / 34,5 / 38 / 40k
(at k 40 there will be tea and also ultraSPORTS)
In the Gelzone at k 27.5 there will be offered ultraSPORTS ultraGel with flavours Cola+Coffein and Berry.
ultraSPORTS Beetster
Beetster is the first natural carbohydrate performance drink based on concentrated plant power from beetroot, ginger, lemon balm, grape peel and various other extracts. Taurine and the natural caffeine from green tea give you an extra kick. The fruity training and competition booster is vegan, free of fructose and lactose.
The Beetster at a glance:
- Used during high physical exertion in training and competition
- Contains 500 mg taurine per serving
- Contains 8 mg natural caffeine from green tea per serving
- Is fructose-free, lactose-free & vegan
Arriving too late on Friday for the footie, but will sight see on Saturday in preparation for the B-a-n-g on Sunday. First time I've visited Berlin, can't wait.Hope everyone is feeling good with the carbo-loading about to start...and good to see the temperatures falling back a touch.
I am in pen B, with a black Newquay Road Runners shirt on if anyone else is in there and wants to say hi.
Choose the wrong Italian to eat the spag Bol the night before! Tiny portion in comparison to the usual carb load meal!
Morning of the race... I realised my watch had not charged overnight faulty USB 😱 and my friend was in a separate pen (my usual pace setter)! Therefore I had to run the first half of the course with no idea what my time was as I didn’t register what time I set off!
Then mile 1 I lost two gels out my belt.. panic 😭! Then gel one happened to run right through me enforcing 2 unscheduled toilet stops (didn’t happen in training) throw in the stifling heat my dreams of a PB went up in smoke,!
I was hoping for a 3:50 to 3:55 but realistically I know my speed in my runs just hasn’t been there this training period but thought or hoped it would be there on the day!
I came over in 4:07... I knew it wasn’t great with 2 miles to go when the inevitable fading starts to happen.. I left myself too much to do.. I was running scared
Scared of the heat, scared I was going to get cramp early scared I was running too quick! I ran within myself!
Kick in the teeth but massive lessons learned.. one positive is I did not get cramp at all (used the magnesium / salt tablets every 5k) and I ran without stopping (not counting the toilet) for 24 miles!! I know I am capable of 3:45 in time I just need to get more consistent now and carry on instead of having an enforced break early this year! New York in 6 weeks to try and restore some pride if I have anything left in me...
Then the Conwy half (10 year anniversary) to finish off race season!
3 majors down London, New York and Berlin done 3 to go.. added bonus of doing NYC again..
Next year hoping Chicago but with the new arrival expected in spring 👶🏼 Might have to delay that idea.. I’m 33 I want all 6 by 40 so plenty of time!
Really enjoyed the weekend though, the first of the big six I've done and just tbought the whole buzz within the city was brilliant. Having been a bit daunted initially by the size of it I'm definitely up getting through a few more of the big uns! Question though is it normal practice now at these big races not to get a free t shirt?
Berlin was my first major, and 8th marathon in total. While training had gone well, a two week break in July due to holiday, and a number of irritating niggles during the taper, not to mention a very drunken family wedding just one week before, had me a bit concerned.
i needn’t have worried, the race went like clockwork. Started out at my planned 7:20 per mile pace and pretty much kept to that until the 22 mile mark. Slowed a little after that but nothing disastrous, finishing in 3:15, taking 3 minutes off my PB. An unscheduled pit stop meant I was a few seconds over 3:15 rather than a few seconds under but I’ll happily take that at 48 y/o. Would like to do more majors as I found it a great experience, but next stop is a trip ‘home’ for the Belfast marathon next May.