Berlin marathon 2011

menoscemo

3 stars (average)

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Thanks krusty but I'll be honest with you that looks like a fanny pack to me

LOL, funny you should mention it, I use a bog standard 'Fanny pack' like this. I got it as a money pouch years ago for a few € in an airport, but recently discovered it is great for holding my phone and keys while running, so have used it the last few marathons to hold gels/electrlyte tablets etc. I can comfortably fit about 6 or 7 gels and a tube of electrolytes in there and causes me no bother.

TheRoadRunner

4 stars (good)

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Only if you wear it on the front. Typically these are worn to the rear and *cough* under your singlet. Maybe by mile 23 you'll have stopped worrying about how you look, and can start focusing on how fast you're running?

By mile 23 I could be down to just my boxers. I'm a style over substance man. I'd rather look good failing than look bad succeeding.

G-Money

Anyone heading over to this to spectate? The idea popped into my head a while ago. Haile is running it as is Paula Radcliffe I believe.

neilc

4 stars (good)

Anyone know of any 10/15k races on 13/8/11 on the east coast. P&D calls for a tune up race for that day but the only one I can see is the Claregalway 10k which would be a bit of a trek.

menoscemo

3 stars (average)

neilc wrote: »

Anyone know of any 10/15k races on 13/8/11 on the east coast. P&D calls for a tune up race for that day but the only one I can see is the Claregalway 10k which would be a bit of a trek.

It's a week out, but I'm just gonna leave it a week and do the Frank Duffy 10 miler in the race series. No harm swapping weeks/sessions around when necessary IMO.

neilc

4 stars (good)

menoscemo wrote: »

It's a week out, but I'm just gonna leave it a week and do the Frank Duffy 10 miler in the race series. No harm swapping weeks/sessions around when necessary IMO.

Yeah completely agree and would normally do that too but I'm racing the warriors run on the 27th and don't really want to race two weekends in a row coming so close to Berlin. Have to find a race for sept 10th yet too.

menoscemo

3 stars (average)

neilc wrote: »

Yeah completely agree and would normally do that too but I'm racing the warriors run on the 27th and don't really want to race two weekends in a row coming so close to Berlin. Have to find a race for sept 10th yet too.

There's a 10k in Firhourse (BHAA race) and another in blessington (the lakes 10k) that day. I'll be doing the latter as it got great reviews last year.

TheRoadRunner

4 stars (good)

menoscemo wrote: »

There's a 10k in Firhourse (BHAA race) and another in blessington (the lakes 10k) that day. I'll be doing the latter as it got great reviews last year.

yeah 2 good races in my opinion. Blessington is the better of the 2, one big loop versus 2. Blessington has a bitch of a hill at around 8k but is fast overall. Free muffins, jellies and ice cream also available at Blessington.

Marthastew

3 stars (average)

neilc wrote: »

Yeah completely agree and would normally do that too but I'm racing the warriors run on the 27th and don't really want to race two weekends in a row coming so close to Berlin. Have to find a race for sept 10th yet too.

A week too early for you...There's a 10k in Bray on aug 7th, although I'm not sure how well organised it will be, haven't heard too much about it...

eliwallach

3 stars (average)

Is that run on the Sat worth doing or should we just put the feet up for the day?

neilc

4 stars (good)

eliwallach wrote: »

Is that run on the Sat worth doing or should we just put the feet up for the day?

Think I'm going to do my own 10k-ish from the house Saturday, nothing really handy close by. Have the next two tune-up races boxed off though, Warriors on the 27th and as menoscemo suggested The Lakes 10k on the 10th Sept.

menoscemo

3 stars (average)

neilc wrote: »

Think I'm going to do my own 10k-ish from the house Saturday, nothing really handy close by. Have the next two tune-up races boxed off though, Warriors on the 27th and as menoscemo suggested The Lakes 10k on the 10th Sept.

I think Eliwallach is talking about the breakfast run the day before the marathon?

Anyways Neilc, see you down in Blessington, I'll be wearing the boards Ac singlet..

opus

4 stars (good)

eliwallach wrote: »

Is that run on the Sat worth doing or should we just put the feet up for the day?

I did it last year as it was a nice morning & the start was within walking distance of the hotel. Going to give it a miss this year and get some extra sleep as it's a lot of shuffling due to the sheer number of people there and it's an early start as well.

Running into the Olympic Stadium was pretty cool though. Few pics attached will give you an idea what it's like.

eliwallach

3 stars (average)

opus wrote: »

I did it last year as it was a nice morning & the start was within walking distance of the hotel. Going to give it a miss this year and get some extra sleep as it's a lot of shuffling due to the sheer number of people there and it's an early start as well.

Running into the Olympic Stadium was pretty cool though. Few pics attached will give you an idea what it's like.

Hardly an endorsement.
I think I'll give it a miss.
Thanks.

liamo123

4 stars (good)

eliwallach wrote: »

Hardly an endorsement.
I think I'll give it a miss.
Thanks.

Another option if u want to stretch the legs Saturday morning and if ur not staying too far away is to head down to the start/finish area and have a quick trot around the Tier-garden... Loads of trails to have a jog on....I did it last year.... Not too many around and wets the appetite for the following days excitement ... Also nice to do a dry run of getting to the marathon village expecially if ur not sure how to get there.....

neilc

4 stars (good)

Anyone know is there pacers in Berlin and if so what times?

TheRoadRunner

4 stars (good)

Did a count last night. 16 runners from my club or friends of mine have entered Berlin. Down to 12, the other 4 have picked up injuries. Another 1-2 are carrying niggles and less than 50/50. Trying to make it to start line fit and healthy is more than half the job!

Krusty_Clown

neilc wrote: »

Anyone know is there pacers in Berlin and if so what times?

There were in previous years. Every 15 mins, if memory serves me correctly. With the crowds though it may be difficult to get in touch/stay with the pacers. It would be a good idea to have a pace band with you, just in case.

jacquib

neilc wrote: »

Anyone know is there pacers in Berlin and if so what times?

Yeah, they have pacers. Starting @ 2.45, 3h, 3.15, 3.30 up to 5hrs I think. Just make sure you get their early enough & get in the right section for the pace that you want.
I done it last year & found it difficult enough to find out where to put my bag & then to get back in time to my start area.

Dipity

Any good suggestions for last minute accommodation for Berlin? Trying to sort this out at the mo.

Need to get something for the Saturday and Sunday.

liamo123

4 stars (good)

Dipity wrote: »

Any good suggestions for last minute accommodation for Berlin? Trying to sort this out at the mo.

Need to get something for the Saturday and Sunday.

Dipity u could try the following place ;
http://www.melarose-fengshuihotel.de/bildergalerie.aspx


Stayed there last year and returning again in Sept...... Easy to get to from Alexanderplatz ( 4 stops on tram )and reasonablly priced... Only thing is come race morning the Trams wont b running so its a brisk 20min walk to Alexanderplatz to catch tube to marathon start.......

Dipity

liamo123 wrote: »

Dipity u could try the following place ;
http://www.melarose-fengshuihotel.de/bildergalerie.aspx

Thanks liamo123. Didn't book there in the end but it helped as a starting point. Good luck in Berlin!

neilc

4 stars (good)

Bib number and registration info arrived by email last night, getting close now!!!

PaulieYifter

4 stars (good)

neilc wrote: »

Bib number and registration info arrived by email last night, getting close now!!!

So exciting...

eliwallach

3 stars (average)

neilc wrote: »

Bib number and registration info arrived by email last night, getting close now!!!

This years number only 10 away from last years number.
I know it's alphabetical, but still......

Marthastew

3 stars (average)

neilc wrote: »

Bib number and registration info arrived by email last night, getting close now!!!

I haven't gotten an email yet, I've checked my spam and none there, maybe I should email them? When I look up the list of entrants I'm there.

village runner

Marthastew wrote: »

I haven't gotten an email yet, I've checked my spam and none there, maybe I should email them? When I look up the list of entrants I'm there.

I would. My mate didnt get one last year. and when he emailed them he got one.

shels4ever

Marthastew wrote: »

I haven't gotten an email yet, I've checked my spam and none there, maybe I should email them? When I look up the list of entrants I'm there.

Mine was in the junk mail to, when I checked yesterday.

In the Woods

Glad I checked the forum. Away on holidays and i'd deleted the Berlin email from my junk mail (just assumed it was an update cos it was in German). One month to undo all the badness that my body has been inflicted with on holidays.

Are the Irish contingent meeting for pints after or later that evening? I'm staying the Sunday so will b indulging in a few well earned beverages (apologies if this has been brought up before but I haven't the patience to scroll through the previous pages on an iphone).

menoscemo

3 stars (average)

In the Woods wrote: »

Are the Irish contingent meeting for pints after or later that evening? I'm staying the Sunday so will b indulging in a few well earned beverages (apologies if this has been brought up before but I haven't the patience to scroll through the previous pages on an iphone).

I'll be up for the pints, I'm sure the guys who have been there before can suggest a nice pub? myself and brianderunner will be staying very close to the start/finish line.

TheRoadRunner

4 stars (good)

menoscemo wrote: »

I'll be up for the pints, I'm sure the guys who have been there before can suggest a nice pub? myself and brianderunner will be staying very close to the start/finish line.

me too. I'm living for the pints at this stage. My club mates will be along also, about 16 of us so should be some craic. I may have to avoid whatever pub Brian is drinking in though

liamo123

4 stars (good)

menoscemo wrote: »

I'll be up for the pints, I'm sure the guys who have been there before can suggest a nice pub? myself and brianderunner will be staying very close to the start/finish line.

I'l get the ball rolling with suggestions.....

last year I spent far too many hours in the " Kilkenny Irish Pub " :
http://www.kilkenny-pub.de/....

Its a fine place and was buzzing after the marathon and into the evening....Easy to get too also and for those bringing partners surrounded by what appeared to b nice places to eat..... Think it closed at about 2am ish....


BTW anyone u says u dont get a hangover from German beer is lying :eek:

neilc

4 stars (good)

If I'm able afterwards, defo on for some German beers!!

jim0

neilc wrote: »

Bib number and registration info arrived by email last night, getting close now!!!

Thanks for the post NeilC, mine would have languished forever in my junk mail.

Any other first-time marathoners in Berlin 2011 reading this? Getting fairly amped about the whole thing.

RoverHogan

4 stars (good)

jim0 wrote: »

neilc wrote: »

Bib number and registration info arrived by email last night, getting close now!!!

Thanks for the post NeilC, mine would have languished forever in my junk mail.

Any other first-time marathoners in Berlin 2011 reading this? Getting fairly amped about the whole thing.

It's going to be my first marathon too. I'm getting pretty excited about it now, less then a month to go!

Definitely on for beers afterwards, a few celebratory drinks would be in order, all going well!

jim0

Yep, good luck to all of us - particularly newbies! Looks like a good event to start the "career" with.

We're staying in Friedrichshain - ie. a bit further east - so any pub recommendations out that way wouldn't go amiss.

Marthastew

3 stars (average)

jim0 wrote: »

Thanks for the post NeilC, mine would have languished forever in my junk mail.

Any other first-time marathoners in Berlin 2011 reading this? Getting fairly amped about the whole thing.

I'm not a first time marathoner but it is my first Berlin....
Fingers crossed we get some good PB weather.

Training had been going really well but I'm counting down to the taper at the moment; i'm tired and nervous now, luckily I remember that this has been the case with all my other marathon training (Berlin will be my 6th) and in four weeks time it will all be worth it:)

Best of luck to everyone and fingers crossed for the last week's hard work before the taper

eliwallach

3 stars (average)

liamo123 wrote: »

I'l get the ball rolling with suggestions.....

last year I spent far too many hours in the " Kilkenny Irish Pub " :
http://www.kilkenny-pub.de/....

Its a fine place and was buzzing after the marathon and into the evening

I can vouch for this place too.
The pub was buzzing well into the early hours last year. You can even wear your medal in there and get away with it.
We'll be there again this year.

eliwallach

3 stars (average)

eliwallach wrote: »

I can vouch for this place too.
The pub was buzzing well into the early hours last year. You can even wear your medal in there and get away with it.
We'll be there again this year.

Actually it wasn't this place .
The Irish pub we were in is the one in the Europa centre in the City Centre - http://www.irishpubberlin.de/index.php?id=7&L=1
pub was buzzing well into the early hours last year. You can even wear your medal in there and get away with it.
We'll be there again this year.

G-Money

Any chance this will be on TV here in Ireland? Both Hailie and Paula Radcliffe are going for Olympic qualifying times at this race as far as I know.

Peckham

G-Money wrote: »

Any chance this will be on TV here in Ireland? Both Hailie and Paula Radcliffe are going for Olympic qualifying times at this race as far as I know.

Eurosport covered it last year (pretty sure it was live coverage). It looked even wetter on TV than in real life!

opus

4 stars (good)

See this post from Krusty for the place people met last year directly after the marathon near the Brandenburg Gate. Nice spot and very close to the finish area. Might be an idea for this year as well?

neilc

4 stars (good)

Just got an email from hotels.com saying the hotel we booked has ended their relationship with them and my booking will not be honoured. Any advice at this late stage on places to say. This close I presume I'm gonna get stung :mad:

Marthastew

3 stars (average)

neilc wrote: »

Just got an email from hotels.com saying the hotel we booked has ended their relationship with them and my booking will not be honoured. Any advice at this late stage on places to say. This close I presume I'm gonna get stung :mad:

How annoying for you.
This is my first time doing Berlin so I can't recommend anywhere, we've booked the Hilton using airline miles (very lucky:))

Best of luck... I hope you get somewhere good/reasonable.

G-Money

Peckham wrote: »

Eurosport covered it last year (pretty sure it was live coverage). It looked even wetter on TV than in real life!

Unfortunately I can't get Eurosport, grrrrrrrr. Hoping to move to Sky within the next few months and if so, Eurosport is the first thing I'm getting.

Krusty_Clown

neilc wrote: »

Just got an email from hotels.com saying the hotel we booked has ended their relationship with them and my booking will not be honoured. Any advice at this late stage on places to say. This close I presume I'm gonna get stung :mad:

Try: http://germany-booked.com/
Additionally, we booked an apartment for the marathon in 2009, and it worked out really well. You can get some really nice places near the Tiergarten. Have a browse through some of the apartments on this site.

TheRoadRunner

4 stars (good)

A friend of mine sent me a PDF containing info about the marathon the other day. He probably got if from the official website. On my phone so cant attach pdf.

Anyway in there, they mention they have a phone app that allows selected persons track you in real time assuming you wear your phone as you run. Looks quite neat as there is additional info etc. Can't find it in the app store. Anybody else have any better luck?

opus

4 stars (good)

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

A friend of mine sent me a PDF containing info about the marathon the other day. He probably got if from the official website. On my phone so cant attach pdf.

Anyway in there, they mention they have a phone app that allows selected persons track you in real time assuming you wear your phone as you run. Looks quite neat as there is additional info etc. Can't find it in the app store. Anybody else have any better luck?

Not sure if this is what you mean but they have the sms tracking going again this year, see this link.

RoverHogan

4 stars (good)

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

A friend of mine sent me a PDF containing info about the marathon the other day. He probably got if from the official website. On my phone so cant attach pdf.

Anyway in there, they mention they have a phone app that allows selected persons track you in real time assuming you wear your phone as you run. Looks quite neat as there is additional info etc. Can't find it in the app store. Anybody else have any better luck?

The app is called "where M I". It looks quite nifty, handy if you are carry your fruit phone!

Brianderunner

3 stars (average)

Peckham wrote: »

Eurosport covered it last year (pretty sure it was live coverage). It looked even wetter on TV than in real life!

The TV coverage on Eurosport last year was comical. Just a camera showing the mid pack runners streaming by one by one for most of it. The helicopter couldnt fly due to the weather. I ended up heading out to Rathfarnam to watch the 5k instead.