Berlin marathon 2011

Krusty_Clown

jim0 wrote: »

I wasn't aware there were any restrictions on which zone you can start in, aside from (as always) the need to get into position early enough. Am I wrong?

Yes. As with most large marathons, entry to the pens is tightly controlled. You can get your pre-assignment changed at the expo, but it isn't easy. You would need to being some printed evidence to support your claims that you are in the kind of shape for the coral, e.g. a strong half-marathon time.

Having said all that, two 4:30+ hour runners started just in front of me in Berlin last year, in an area where everyone else would have been sub 2:50. So it is possible to sneak in. Just not a recommended route. The Germans are likely to give you abuse if you try to start in the wrong pen. They like everything neatly ordered and arranged.

menoscemo

3 stars (average)

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Yes. As with most large marathons, entry to the pens is tightly controlled. You can get your pre-assignment changed at the expo, but it isn't easy. You would need to being some printed evidence to support your claims that you are in the kind of shape for the coral, e.g. a strong half-marathon time.

Having said all that, two 4:30+ hour runners started just in front of me in Berlin last year, in an area where everyone else would have been sub 2:50. So it is possible to sneak in. Just not a recommended route. The Germans are likely to give you abuse if you try to start in the wrong pen. They like everything neatly ordered and arranged.

Just on the above point, on what basis do they assign your pen, predicted time or best marathon? I am asking because I put down my predicted time as 3'14'59, but they also asked for your best time to date-at the time my best marathon was 3'32 (I have since gone 3'24).

Should I inform them of the above info or should I expect to be in the sun 3'30 pen?

TheRoadRunner

4 stars (good)

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Yes. As with most large marathons, entry to the pens is tightly controlled. You can get your pre-assignment changed at the expo, but it isn't easy. You would need to being some printed evidence to support your claims that you are in the kind of shape for the coral, e.g. a strong half-marathon time.

Having said all that, two 4:30+ hour runners started just in front of me in Berlin last year, in an area where everyone else would have been sub 2:50. So it is possible to sneak in. Just not a recommended route. The Germans are likely to give you abuse if you try to start in the wrong pen. They like everything neatly ordered and arranged.

Are they relatively strict. A friend of mine was cursing all the idiots who bailed it into his pen 2 years ago. He (and another guy) reckons I should get down to the start an hour before the gun. I'm not looking forward to this but have bought myself a small collapsible camping chair so I will be officially camping out at the start

One other thing, are the KM markers very visible and is the (blue?) racing line obvious also.

I'm enjoying this tapering lark

village runner

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Are they relatively strict. A friend of mine was cursing all the idiots who bailed it into his pen 2 years ago. He (and another guy) reckons I should get down to the start an hour before the gun. I'm not looking forward to this but have bought myself a small collapsible camping chair so I will be officially camping out at the start

One other thing, are the KM markers very visible and is the (blue?) racing line obvious also.

I'm enjoying this tapering lark

I assume you a B. The wheelchairs etc start at 8.35 and 8.45 etc. I rem jumping the barriers at 8.50 last yr and got up to within 10 seconds of the start. I could have gone up further but I felt a fat cnut where I was. If I had gone up any further they would have eaten me.

Krusty_Clown

menoscemo wrote: »

Just on the above point, on what basis do they assign your pen, predicted time or best marathon? I am asking because I put down my predicted time as 3'14'59, but they also asked for your best time to date-at the time my best marathon was 3'32 (I have since gone 3'24).

Should I inform them of the above info or should I expect to be in the sun 3'30 pen?

If you think there's a chance you'll be put in the wrong pen, then it's well worth printing out your race result and bring it with you. Also, you'll find it easier to get things changed if you go to the expo on the Friday rather than the Saturday. It'll be jam-packed all day Saturday. It'll also help if you speak German.

menoscemo

3 stars (average)

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

If you think there's a chance you'll be put in the wrong pen, then it's well worth printing out your race result and bring it with you. Also, you'll find it easier to get things changed if you go to the expo on the Friday rather than the Saturday. It'll be jam-packed all day Saturday. It'll also help if you speak German.

Thanks Krusty, will print that Barcelona Result alright. I just looked at my Registration confirmation print out and it says 3:14:00 on it. I assume I'm ok?

Christ, I am getting stressed already :pac:

Krusty_Clown

The blue race line is quite obvious. You'll be able to see it on the roads on the days leading up to the race. By the way, the in-line skating is well worth a look on the Saturday, if you've got a bit of time to kill. It follows a different coloured race-line (and slightly different route).

You can see Village Runner in some of the start-line photos, lined-up just ahead of Haile.

TheRoadRunner

4 stars (good)

village runner wrote: »

I assume you a B. The wheelchairs etc start at 8.35 and 8.45 etc. I rem jumping the barriers at 8.50 last yr and got up to within 10 seconds of the start. I could have gone up further but I felt a fat cnut where I was. If I had gone up any further they would have eaten me.

As in a B pen? Not sure, have to read my emails properly, I assume the info is in there somewhere

neilc

4 stars (good)

menoscemo wrote: »

Just on the above point, on what basis do they assign your pen, predicted time or best marathon? I am asking because I put down my predicted time as 3'14'59, but they also asked for your best time to date-at the time my best marathon was 3'32 (I have since gone 3'24).

Should I inform them of the above info or should I expect to be in the sun 3'30 pen?

Check on the print out they emailed for registration at the Expo, they have my predicted time on it so I presume that the pen I'll be going in. It's so long since I signed up for the race can't remember if I actually gave them a race result.

jim0

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Yes. As with most large marathons, entry to the pens is tightly controlled. You can get your pre-assignment changed at the expo, but it isn't easy. You would need to being some printed evidence to support your claims that you are in the kind of shape for the coral, e.g. a strong half-marathon time.

Having said all that, two 4:30+ hour runners started just in front of me in Berlin last year, in an area where everyone else would have been sub 2:50. So it is possible to sneak in. Just not a recommended route. The Germans are likely to give you abuse if you try to start in the wrong pen. They like everything neatly ordered and arranged.

Thanks a lot - you may have saved me from a fair bit of angst.

PaulieYifter

4 stars (good)

neilc wrote: »

Check on the print out they emailed for registration at the Expo, they have my predicted time on it so I presume that the pen I'll be going in. It's so long since I signed up for the race can't remember if I actually gave them a race result.

I'm hoping that's the case too but the same question meno had was wrecking my head.

Now what's wrecking my head is what race runners to wear given my original choice (Ghost 4s) are still giving me blisters even after breaking them in over 50 miles or so. Think I'll be pulling out the old Ghost 3s.

Spent the day thinking every twinge in my knee was an ITB flare up or something and I was doing one legged squats on the sly to test it out - the madness has started already!

neilc

4 stars (good)

PaulieYifter wrote: »

I'm hoping that's the case too but the same question meno had was wrecking my head.

Now what's wrecking my head is what race runners to wear given my original choice (Ghost 4s) are still giving me blisters even after breaking them in over 50 miles or so. Think I'll be pulling out the old Ghost 3s.

Spent the day thinking every twinge in my knee was an ITB flare up or something and I was doing one legged squats on the sly to test it out - the madness has started already!

Taper's a crazy time alright. I'm having the runners dilemma myself. I did the 16 miler in my kinvaras on Sunday, the longest I've done in them to date with no ill effects. So it's either them or the original choice Saucony Triumphs. Decisions, decisions.

opus

4 stars (good)

menoscemo wrote: »

Thanks Krusty, will print that Barcelona Result alright. I just looked at my Registration confirmation print out and it says 3:14:00 on it. I assume I'm ok?

Christ, I am getting stressed already :pac:

According to the brochure that has you in Block D (3:00->3:15) which is spot on for your target. I wasn't too stressed 'til I read all the stuff on here this evening

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

As in a B pen? Not sure, have to read my emails properly, I assume the info is in there somewhere

The target time you gave them should be on the email they sent you with the expo info, tickets etc just under the name & address. With that you can work out your block from the online brochure : A - 2:20->2:40, B - 2:40->2:50 & C - 2:50->3:00.

TheRoadRunner

4 stars (good)

opus wrote: »

The target time you gave them should be on the email they sent you with the expo info, tickets etc just under the name & address. With that you can work out your block from the online brochure : A - 2:20->2:40, B - 2:40->2:50 & C - 2:50->3:00.

Yeah the target time I sent them would put me in pen A, however in the brochure it says "best time" so my PB would put me in pen B. To be honest I'm not really going to get stressed about it, so many things could potentially go wrong so will leave it in the laps of the running gods.

PaulieYifter

4 stars (good)

8 miles with 3 x 1600m intervals this morning - think the taper really only starts now - this P&D stuff is deffo a step up from Hal Higdon.

On the TV front I see the website says that BBC 2 are broadcasting the event live.

liamo123

4 stars (good)

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Yeah the target time I sent them would put me in pen A, however in the brochure it says "best time" so my PB would put me in pen B. To be honest I'm not really going to get stressed about it, so many things could potentially go wrong so will leave it in the laps of the running gods.

RR and others if 4 some reason ur in the wrong pen dont worry.... there's a wooded area between the starting pens... Last year I saw loads of runners jump over the barrier on the left hand side of the starting pens to either make a last minute pit stop or to head up closer to the start line... To the best of my memory is wasnt supervised so just walk up to ur app pen, jump back over the barrier and happy days

Marthastew

3 stars (average)

Any recommendations from anyone who has run Berlin before for good places for my OH to cheer me on on the route? Particularly from 20 miles on.
With a million spectators I'm sure it will be tough....

Krusty_Clown

Marthastew wrote: »

Any recommendations from anyone who has run Berlin before for good places for my OH to cheer me on on the route? Particularly from 20 miles on.
With a million spectators I'm sure it will be tough....

He can watch the start pretty easily from the Tiergarten, just up from the start line. Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is at around the 21.75 mile mark, and is immediately recognizable, both for you on foot, and him as a spectator, and the adoring crowds are quite spread out. It'll still be tough to spot him in the crowds. It's around 2 miles walk from the Tiergarten. Here it is in google street view. It's at the 35k mark in this Berlin route map.

Right... Probably time to start lurking in a marathon forum where I'm actually participating.

Larry Brent

Marthastew wrote: »

Any recommendations from anyone who has run Berlin before for good places for my OH to cheer me on on the route? Particularly from 20 miles on.
With a million spectators I'm sure it will be tough....

I don't know the names of the places or any landmarks as I was running but my 'support' saw the start then handed me a gel at 14k (officially cheating I know) and then went to 40k (their choice, could have gone to the finish but thought 40k might be more exciting). They worked this out from the course map you'll get at the expo. Getting to 14k was a bit of a rush for them, but in the end they were there with a good few minutes to spare (to gibe me the gel).

The only place on the whole course with no support was at about 41.5k. Before you turn for the home straight there is about a 100m section, the last corner, where there was no one, so that would be a great place to run alongside someone and support them if they were tantalisingly close to their goal.

Daredevil78

Marthastew wrote: »

Any recommendations from anyone who has run Berlin before for good places for my OH to cheer me on on the route? Particularly from 20 miles on.
With a million spectators I'm sure it will be tough....

I've told my OH he only has to show up at the finish, whats the last few hundred metres like for spotting people?? I'm aiming for a 4h45 so maybe the crowds would have thinned a bit by the time i plod round?

Krusty_Clown

Daredevil78 wrote: »

I've told my OH he only has to show up at the finish, whats the last few hundred metres like for spotting people?? I'm aiming for a 4h45 so maybe the crowds would have thinned a bit by the time i plod round?

If you're wondering if you'll spot him, then forget about it! Unless he's naked, painted blue and being chased along the course by the local police, you won't see him. There will be throngs of crowds from the last bend all the way up to (and beyond) the Brandenburg Gate, and you will likely be in your own little world at that stage. You could get him to wait at one of the corners just before the final straight, and as racing flat Larry Brent pointed out, these tend to be pretty quiet. Also, make plans to meet up afterwards, as it can be very difficult. It'll take half an hour to work your way out of the complex (an hour if you opt for showers etc). There is a family reunion area, which has meeting points for every letter of the alphabet. So pick a letter (somewhere in the middle!) and meet up there. The beer and pretzels afterwards are particularly tasty!

neilc

4 stars (good)

PaulieYifter wrote: »

8 miles with 3 x 1600m intervals this morning - think the taper really only starts now - this P&D stuff is deffo a step up from Hal Higdon.

On the TV front I see the website says that BBC 2 are broadcasting the event live.

I had that session this evening, so that's the last hard run in the Berlin training plan. It's been a tough few days, Saturday 10k, Sunday 16m LSR, Tuesday 7m w/ 8x100m and today 8m w/ 3x1600m. Somehow managed 6:45, 6:57 & 6:43 tonight. Overall delighted with the P&D training plan, feeling very strong and managed to stay injury free through it. Roll on next week!!

opus

4 stars (good)

neilc wrote: »

I had that session this evening, so that's the last hard run in the Berlin training plan. It's been a tough few days, Saturday 10k, Sunday 16m LSR, Tuesday 7m w/ 8x100m and today 8m w/ 3x1600m. Somehow managed 6:45, 6:57 & 6:43 tonight. Overall delighted with the P&D training plan, feeling very strong and managed to stay injury free through it. Roll on next week!!

You seem to be one day ahead of me as I had that 3x1600m this evening but anyway nice to have it out of the way, that's the last tough one I think. Now I can turn my attention to checking the long range weather forecast for Berlin on yr.no five times a day

neilc

4 stars (good)

opus wrote: »

You seem to be one day ahead of me as I had that 3x1600m this evening but anyway nice to have it out of the way, that's the last tough one I think. Now I can turn my attention to checking the long range weather forecast for Berlin on yr.no five times a day

I'm on the up to 55 mile plan, you must be on one of the higher milage ones. Would be happy with that weather on the day 0800 to 1400 - 11° - light wind.

Marthastew

3 stars (average)

neilc wrote: »

I'm on the up to 55 mile plan, you must be on one of the higher milage ones. Would be happy with that weather on the day 0800 to 1400 - 11° - light wind.

Would be VERY HAPPY with that weather... As long as the wind is light.
Probably still too early to be looking at the forecast but of course I will be one of those people who checks it hourly for the next week.

Don't want to jinx Berlin but all of my past five marathons have been in glorious sunshine and almost perfect temperatures (Chicago 09 was a little too cold and Paris this year a bit too hot), here's hoping Berlin will be another perfect day.

liamo123

4 stars (good)

Marthastew wrote: »

Would be VERY HAPPY with that weather... As long as the wind is light.
Probably still too early to be looking at the forecast but of course I will be one of those people who checks it hourly for the next week.

Don't want to jinx Berlin but all of my past five marathons have been in glorious sunshine and almost perfect temperatures (Chicago 09 was a little too cold and Paris this year a bit too hot), here's hoping Berlin will be another perfect day.

Chicago 09 was my 1st marathon and it was bloody freezing Martha .. Hat and gloves on the whole way around... Weather forecast 4 Berlin looks good ( fingers crossed )

eliwallach

3 stars (average)

Interestingly (or not) of the 280 odd Irish participants in 2010, all but 2 of us finished (2 males failed to make it to the finish line), which gave us a completion rate of well over 99%.
Kenya had a completion rate of 50%.

Go Ireland!


As an aside the weather (from YR) looks absolutely perfect with partial cloud, light winds and 11C for the am period. Worringly, however, temps of 23C are being forecast for the pm.
http://www.yr.no/place/Germany/Berlin/Berlin/long.html

menoscemo

3 stars (average)

eliwallach wrote: »

Interestingly (or not) of the 280 odd Irish participants in 2010, all but 2 of us finished (2 males failed to make it to the finish line), which gave us a completion rate of well over 99%.
Kenya had a completion rate of 50%.

Go Ireland!


As an aside the weather (from YR) looks absolutely perfect with partial cloud, light winds and 11C for the am period. Worringly, however, temps of 23C are being forecast for the pm.
http://www.yr.no/place/Germany/Berlin/Berlin/long.html

23C is perfect for having cold beers at the finish line

G-Money

Live on BBC Two from 7.45am. An unexpected but very welcome surprise.

TheRoadRunner

4 stars (good)

G-Money wrote: »

Live on BBC Two from 7.45am. An unexpected but very welcome surprise.

not a surprise really. I guess they are covering it to see how Radcliffe goes. Definitely going to tape it

village runner

As if things werent bad There is a nerve gone in my hand. Left hand completely numb. I think I have to pull the plug on Berlin(with my right hand). London nxt stop.

neilc

4 stars (good)

village runner wrote: »

As if things werent bad There is a nerve gone in my hand. Left hand completely numb. I think I have to pull the plug on Berlin(with my right hand). London nxt stop.

Sorry to hear that Village Runner.

opus

4 stars (good)

village runner wrote: »

As if things werent bad There is a nerve gone in my hand. Left hand completely numb. I think I have to pull the plug on Berlin(with my right hand). London nxt stop.

Nasty thing to happen so close to the event, hopefully it clears up ok.

Weather is still looking good for next Sunday thankfully, next week is when I'll really start checking it hourly

ecoli

G-Money wrote: »

Live on BBC Two from 7.45am. An unexpected but very welcome surprise.

AFAIK Berlin is one that is always covered either by Eurosport or BBC. You then have tv coverage for DCM this year (i think) as well as the usual coverage of NYC. Spoiled for athletics this year even in the non track season:D

ecoli

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

not a surprise really. I guess they are covering it to see how Radcliffe goes. Definitely going to tape it

You not gonna let her beat you that easy are you? first Gemma Steele now Radcliffe letting the GB women walk all over you man:rolleyes:

liamo123

4 stars (good)

village runner wrote: »

As if things werent bad There is a nerve gone in my hand. Left hand completely numb. I think I have to pull the plug on Berlin(with my right hand). London nxt stop.

Thats poxy luck VR... Hopefully ur ribs are improving and ur " connections :pac: " in the local hosp will sort out ur hand ........They say a week is a long time in politics but its a heck of a long time in the life of a marathon runner so dont pull the plug yet...

PaulieYifter

4 stars (good)

Slightly off topic but I think I used up more (emotional) energy at Croke Park yesterday than I will in Berlin next Sunday. Managed to somehow stay off the jar so I'd better produce the goods this weekend.

G-Money

ecoli wrote: »

AFAIK Berlin is one that is always covered either by Eurosport or BBC. You then have tv coverage for DCM this year (i think) as well as the usual coverage of NYC. Spoiled for athletics this year even in the non track season:D

I think RTE are covering the Dublin City Marathon alright. What about New York though? I'm pretty sure I had to resort to trying to watch a live stream on the web last year. I don't have Eurosport. At least not yet...

Pisco Sour

Guys, stop looking at the weather forecast. Every site gives a different forecast, none of which are reliable until 24 hours beforehand. You'll just drive yourselves stone bonkers! Anyway, sure didn't Olive Loughnane get a silver medal in that very city 2 years ago in 33-35 degree heat! Take that as inspiration. No bother to you!

Best of luck to all at the weekend!

Sacksian

Does anyone have any idea if you can get Torq gels in Berlin? Does the Expo just have individual gel suppliers or would there be stalls with all the various gels?

I've just discovered that the Cycle Superstore doesn't stock them anymore.

neilc

4 stars (good)

Woke up this morning with a completely stuffed up head. Throwing the lemsips into myself all day. Fingers crossed it's a 24hr thing. Nearly there now!!

Marthastew

3 stars (average)

neilc wrote: »

Woke up this morning with a completely stuffed up head. Throwing the lemsips into myself all day. Fingers crossed it's a 24hr thing. Nearly there now!!

Me too! Sona Cold&Flu tablets from Boots are also very good, I'm overdosing on vitamin C as well. Any other week I'd barely notice a head cold.
Fingers crossed and get well soon.

Krusty_Clown

yesboyicecream wrote: »

Does anyone have any idea if you can get Torq gels in Berlin? Does the Expo just have individual gel suppliers or would there be stalls with all the various gels?

I've just discovered that the Cycle Superstore doesn't stock them anymore.

Lots of different types at the expo, however, I wouldn't guarantee that they have your specific type. Much safer to get them before you leave.

dev123

yesboyicecream wrote: »

Does anyone have any idea if you can get Torq gels in Berlin? Does the Expo just have individual gel suppliers or would there be stalls with all the various gels?

I've just discovered that the Cycle Superstore doesn't stock them anymore.

I nearly panicked when I read your mail. I'm using Torq gels and plan to use them for Dublin. Chain Reaction Cycles seem to have them in stock.

Panic averted (Hopefully)

TheRoadRunner

4 stars (good)

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

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?

Berlin iphone app is in itunes app store now (type "Berlin marathon" to find it). Some maps and handy info in there. Can use it to check a runner in real time, won't be using it myself as O2 have already quite literally buggered me twice this year with roaming data charges.

RayCun

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

O2 have already quite literally buggered me twice this year with roaming data charges.

:eek::eek::eek:
runs off to check the small print on his own contract

Brianderunner

3 stars (average)

Works out at about 8 euro a minute when your abroad with o2. Learned my lesson the hard way in Rotterdam last year.

Good reading in this thread. Making me more nervous than before though.

PaulieYifter

4 stars (good)

Marthastew wrote: »

Me too! Sona Cold&Flu tablets from Boots are also very good, I'm overdosing on vitamin C as well. Any other week I'd barely notice a head cold.
Fingers crossed and get well soon.

Got the Lemsips and Nurofen just in case. Took a Lemsip Sunday night just in case. Going around with a tube of antibacterial hand gel just in case. Haven't yet put on a surgical mask on the Dart but the thought has crossed my mind - just in case! Lashing the oranges into me too.

menoscemo

3 stars (average)

Since there has been no 100% concesus can I declare the Irish pub in the Europa centre as the offical Boardsie Post race meetup Pub?

Website is included below.

http://www.irishpubberlin.de/index.php?id=7&L=1

TheRoadRunner

4 stars (good)

menoscemo wrote: »

Since there has been no 100% concesus can I declare the Irish pub in the Europa centre as the offical Boardsie Post race meetup Pub?

Website is included below.

http://www.irishpubberlin.de/index.php?id=7&L=1

+1

I have just been looking this pub up It's right around the corner from my hotel so I will be found in here hopefully