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Berlin 2010 - September

24567

Comments

  • #52
    liamo123
    Registered Users Posts: 810 ✭✭✭liamo123


    4 stars (good)
    it could only happen to me... Booked nice reasonably priced hotel for Berlin in January with 1800hotels.com.. Found out yesterday that they have gone bankrupt and following frantic phonecall and emails to hotel in Berlin i discovered my reservation was cancelled by 1800hotels on 7th July.

    Am sick... not only am i out of pocket ( think credit card company will credit my account once i get the necessary paperwork done ) I have to try to get alternative accommodation at this late stage which might b impossible..

    Am pi!!ed off big time....


  • #53
    Peckham
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,546 ✭✭✭Peckham


    That's awful Liamo.

    Try hostelworld.com. They also do cheap hotels, or you could get a private room in a hostel. That's where I found my accomodation.


  • #54
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    4 stars (good)
    liamo123 wrote: »
    it could only happen to me... Booked nice reasonably priced hotel for Berlin in January with 1800hotels.com.. Found out yesterday that they have gone bankrupt and following frantic phonecall and emails to hotel in Berlin i discovered my reservation was cancelled by 1800hotels on 7th July.

    Am sick... not only am i out of pocket ( think credit card company will credit my account once i get the necessary paperwork done ) I have to try to get alternative accommodation at this late stage which might b impossible..

    Am pi!!ed off big time....
    That's terribly dissapointing and awful behaviour by 1800hotels to cancel your reservation. Barstewards. Don't worry, you'll get sorted quickly. Apartments are another good option, if you find the hotels are pretty booked up.


  • #55
    Peckham
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,546 ✭✭✭Peckham


    According to what I read yesterday, the intermediaries who supply all the hotel rooms to 1800Hotels were the ones who cancelled all the bookings as 1800Hotels weren't paying their bills. Plenty of people were left standing in hotel receptions over the past few days having found no hotel room for them when they were checking-in. Awful stuff.


  • #56
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    4 stars (good)
    On a positive note, there should be some hotel rooms available now, for those with quick fingers.


  • #57
    village runner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,656 ✭✭✭village runner


    4 stars (good)
    Krusty_Clown wrote: »
    On a positive note, there should be some hotel rooms available now, for those with quick fingers.


    Got stung myself. Paid it by laser too. First time i ever paid by laser. They had my booking but insead of paying 60 a night with breakie its now90 with no breakie. Stayed there last 2 years so i just have to take the hit.

    Hows everyones training going ?? Are we all meeting up in the irish bar that night ?


  • #58
    seanynova
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,137 ✭✭✭seanynova


    Peckham wrote: »
    According to what I read yesterday, the intermediaries who supply all the hotel rooms to 1800Hotels were the ones who cancelled all the bookings as 1800Hotels weren't paying their bills. Plenty of people were left standing in hotel receptions over the past few days having found no hotel room for them when they were checking-in. Awful stuff.


    This happened to me in edinburgh this year, went to check in with my print out of the confirmation and the hotel had never heard of it!
    think i booked with ebookers though.
    as it happens the hotel manager bought me a nights accomodation in another hotel in town. glad he helped as it was marathon weekend and the city was very busy, i didnt need the stress of it the day before the race!

    good luck to all looking for accomodation in berlin now...


  • #59
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    4 stars (good)
    village runner wrote: »
    Got stung myself. Paid it by laser too. First time i ever paid by laser. They had my booking but insead of paying 60 a night with breakie its now90 with no breakie. Stayed there last 2 years so i just have to take the hit.

    Hows everyones training going ?? Are we all meeting up in the irish bar that night ?
    I was thinking you might have gotten stung too. Pisser. You can come over to my place near the start for brekkie. :) We should find a good German beer-hall this time instead of that Irish-pub with it's tiny glasses of sh1te beer. :)


  • #60
    liamo123
    Registered Users Posts: 810 ✭✭✭liamo123


    4 stars (good)
    Got sorted with alternative accommodation tk god... There is still quite alot of reasonably priced accommodation available atm if anyone is in same boat as me..


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  • #61
    Peckham
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,546 ✭✭✭Peckham


    So, I decide to play a game of chicken with Aer Lingus. I figure that flights to Berlin would get cheaper after an initial flurry of flight booking earlier this year (around the deadline for entering Berlin). I pick my two flights (out Friday evening, back Monday morning), and every few days I check to see what price Aer Lingus are charging. It seemed to fluctuate between €196 and €206, with little movement. I showed no fear, and I continue to stare them down. Then the prices goes up to €216, I get worried and think that it's not going to get any cheaper. I have a few quid spare, so I take the plunge.

    That was 8 days ago. Out of interest I check again today - €166 for the same flights. :mad:


  • #62
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    4 stars (good)
    Don't look today! €141 for those flights!

    I was booking flights via RyanAir for Alicante in July, and they went up by €100 per day (four people travelling) before I had to chicken out after two days and pay €200 more for them. Thankfully (?) I booked them when i did, as they are now €200 more expensive.


  • #63
    Peckham
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,546 ✭✭✭Peckham


    :mad: That's pretty frustrating - could have saved myself a handy few quid!


  • #64
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    4 stars (good)
    Just head into the toilets on the plane, and steal €60 worth of toilet paper and liquid soap. It's just about the only thing they don't charge you for these days. :)


  • #65
    liamo123
    Registered Users Posts: 810 ✭✭✭liamo123


    4 stars (good)
    Flights to Barcelona are approx 98euro return excluding baggage atm...Barcelona marathon March 2011 springs to mind!!


  • #66
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    4 stars (good)
    liamo123 wrote: »
    Flights to Barcelona are approx 98euro return excluding baggage atm...Barcelona marathon March 2011 springs to mind!!
    It's way too early to think about Barcelona. Sure that's 3 or 4 marathons away!


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  • #67
    liamo123
    Registered Users Posts: 810 ✭✭✭liamo123


    4 stars (good)
    Ur a well oiled machine at this stage Krusty... A marathon every couple of months is no problem to u!!!


  • #68
    eliwallach
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,395 ✭✭✭eliwallach


    3 stars (average)
    Received an email today from Real Berlin marathon... but it was only flogging Official gear.
    But the time is flying.
    How's training going?

    Mine is, well, interrupted.
    Even had to (for the firat time ever!) give the OH a ring 14 miles into an 18 mile run at the weekend to come and collect me :(. Mystery virus.
    Not too worried though.
    Will try a 20 mile coming weekend and see how that goes.


  • #69
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    4 stars (good)
    Mine is going fine. Feeling a little sore (achilles/calf) these days and tired, but the speed and endurance seem ok. Trying to up the mileage to around 60-65 miles, which will put a bit of strain on the engine.

    17'-22'C in Berlin at the moment (during race times), which isn't too bad. Looking forward to some curry-wurst and Weizen.


  • #70
    opus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,027 ✭✭✭opus


    4 stars (good)
    As a matter of interest, does anyone know if there are pacers in Berlin? I've been doing a bit of googling and it found pages that suggest that they will be but haven't been able to find anything definitive. Failing that I'll just put my faith in the Garmin watch to hustle me around :)

    Thanks!


  • #71
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    4 stars (good)
    There certainly were last year. I positioned myself behind the three hour pacers before the start of the race. They disappeared very quickly and I didn't see them again (hopefully the tables are turned this year!). Not sure what time slots they cover, but probably: 3:00/3:15/3:30/3:45/4:00.


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  • #72
    Peckham
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,546 ✭✭✭Peckham


    My training going okay. Was going great, until the weekend when a planned six hour beer session turned into a twelve hour one. Sunday evening's planned 18 miler was pushed to Monday, and then was reduced to an 11 miler due to my two day hangover, and almost got binned altogether (2 day hangovers - a definite sign of a man in his early 30s - remember that age Krusty?! ;))

    Work overran a little this evening, and I was nearly forced to bin my 14 miler with 8*5min tempo. But out I went, and turned in some good times on the tempo sessions.

    Definite tiredness creeping up on me though. Am on holidays the week after next, so that will be a recovery week. 60 miler next week, and then again the week after I come back from holidays.

    Another concern is that the weight isn't shifting as quick as it normally does during training. Again a sign of age! Have started paying a bit more attention to what goes into the gob.


  • #73
    opus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,027 ✭✭✭opus


    4 stars (good)
    Krusty_Clown wrote: »
    There certainly were last year. I positioned myself behind the three hour pacers before the start of the race. They disappeared very quickly and I didn't see them again (hopefully the tables are turned this year!). Not sure what time slots they cover, but probably: 3:00/3:15/3:30/3:45/4:00.

    Thanks Krusty, that's good to know. I won't be going after the three hour group mind you but might try chasing the bunch doing 3:15.


  • #74
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    4 stars (good)
    Peckham wrote: »
    2 day hangovers - a definite sign of a man in his early 30s - remember that age Krusty?!
    Barely. I was quite drunk at the time.

    If the weight's not shifting, maybe it's the beer? I'm on the dry after this weekend (with a one week break for my holidays). I'll be looking forward to a beer in Berlin after the race. :)


  • #75
    Peckham
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,546 ✭✭✭Peckham


    Apart from last weekend, the beer intake has been pretty moderate, certainly no more than I would normally be drinking at this stage in a training cycle.

    Mind you, feckin' Superquinn and their 6 for €12 offer on speciality beers. That's tough to resist. :)


  • #76
    liamo123
    Registered Users Posts: 810 ✭✭✭liamo123


    4 stars (good)
    not long now folks:)

    just back from weeks hols and despite my best intentions the training plan went out the window..ate and drank far too much!!

    I c Powerbar are supplying the energy drinks this year but don't know what flavour their giving out...


  • #77
    village runner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,656 ✭✭✭village runner


    4 stars (good)
    Krusty_Clown wrote: »
    There certainly were last year. I positioned myself behind the three hour pacers before the start of the race. They disappeared very quickly and I didn't see them again (hopefully the tables are turned this year!). Not sure what time slots they cover, but probably: 3:00/3:15/3:30/3:45/4:00.
    I didnt pass them last year so they must have ran 2.58 or lower. Wear a pace pand a garmin and a heart rate monitor and trust oyur training.

    7 weeks to go so plan to put a serious 5 weeks in. Then with 2 weeks to go relax. Training going ok but a stomach problem still persists. If i have to run it easy so be it. But i will give it ago.


  • #78
    Peckham
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,546 ✭✭✭Peckham


    Well that's the road cleared for my sub-3 attempt. Gebrselassie isn't running Berlin this year.

    He has tweeted that he's going to be doing the Great North Run, which is the week before Berlin.....and a Google search indicates that he's running NYC marathon.

    (Apologies if this is old news, I wasn't aware of it)


  • #79
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    4 stars (good)
    Powerbar drinks aren't too bad, and are at least readily available (the muck they had last year (you can try it at the expo) was horrific.

    Anyone going over on the Friday? Planning to hit the expo on Friday afternoon to avoid the throngs.

    Sorry, forgot to mention that Haile was NYC bound (which is also on my calendar this year, I'm his personal stalker. I wish I could stalk him faster!).


  • #80
    Peckham
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,546 ✭✭✭Peckham


    Krusty_Clown wrote: »
    Anyone going over on the Friday? Planning to hit the expo on Friday afternoon to avoid the throngs.

    I'm flying over Friday evening, so will (probably) be too late by the time I get there. So, I'll be part of the throngs on the Saturday.


  • #81
    opus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,027 ✭✭✭opus


    4 stars (good)
    Didn't know that Gebrselassie wasn't running, too bad was looking forward to being in the same field (abeit 10's of km behind!) as him.

    Think it will be late on Friday when I arrive as I'll be in central Germany on Thursday night and getting a lift to Berlin on Friday afternoon so guess I'll have to fight the masses as well on Saturday. A friend of mine is doing the rollerblade marathon on Saturday also so I'm must figure out how I can see some of that as well as getting the registration sorted.


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  • #82
    liamo123
    Registered Users Posts: 810 ✭✭✭liamo123


    4 stars (good)
    Flying with Ryanair friday morning and intend hitting expo in afternoon once I've checked into my hotel... It will give me a chance to master the Berlin transportation system:)


  • #83
    village runner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,656 ✭✭✭village runner


    4 stars (good)
    Peckham wrote: »
    I'm flying over Friday evening, so will (probably) be too late by the time I get there. So, I'll be part of the throngs on the Saturday.

    Be there at 9am and you will be out of it by 9.30am at the latest. I went with a lad last year. Arrive after 11am and your looking for trouble.


  • #84
    village runner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,656 ✭✭✭village runner


    4 stars (good)
    opus wrote: »
    Didn't know that Gebrselassie wasn't running, too bad was looking forward to being in the same field (abeit 10's of km behind!) as him.

    Think it will be late on Friday when I arrive as I'll be in central Germany on Thursday night and getting a lift to Berlin on Friday afternoon so guess I'll have to fight the masses as well on Saturday. A friend of mine is doing the rollerblade marathon on Saturday also so I'm must figure out how I can see some of that as well as getting the registration sorted.

    The skating starts at 4pm odd. The hotel i stay at it passes by at 17.10 at 36k i think.


  • #85
    village runner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,656 ✭✭✭village runner


    4 stars (good)
    liamo123 wrote: »
    Flying with Ryanair friday morning and intend hitting expo in afternoon once I've checked into my hotel... It will give me a chance to master the Berlin transportation system:)
    By a day pass for the transport and get all your busines done on that day. We bought the 4 day pass last year and didnt use it. This year its taxi to hotel and return to and from expo. Food is very cheap over there in comparison to here/dublin


  • #86
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    4 stars (good)
    village runner wrote: »
    By a day pass for the transport and get all your busines done on that day. We bought the 4 day pass last year and didnt use it. This year its taxi to hotel and return to and from expo. Food is very cheap over there in comparison to here/dublin
    How much are the taxis? We got a train from the airport (with Woddle and co) and it worked out cheap and quick. but if a taxi is reasonable, it would be worth a look..

    The skatings definitely worth a look. I have a video of the lead pack going past. amazing stuff. Get's very tiring after that. Find a good corner, and wait for the mayhem. :)


  • #87
    village runner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,656 ✭✭✭village runner


    4 stars (good)
    Krusty_Clown wrote: »
    How much are the taxis? We got a train from the airport (with Woddle and co) and it worked out cheap and quick. but if a taxi is reasonable, it would be worth a look..

    The skatings definitely worth a look. I have a video of the lead pack going past. amazing stuff. Get's very tiring after that. Find a good corner, and wait for the mayhem. :)

    They will be 4 of us in a cab so its 7 euro to the hotel each. We paid 33 euro for a 4 day pass that we barely used used last year. If you buy one of these you should be using it for discounts in the restaurants etc etc. There is a discount on hte bus tours of the city by buying the pass.

    Re skating buy a couple of sticks and throw them out in the street as they pass. always have a kid nearby that you can BLAME.


  • #88
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    4 stars (good)
    Here's the video I recorded. Talk about drafting! Unfortunately for some reason I shot it sideways, so you'll have to tilt your monitor (or your head).


  • #89
    asimonov
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,378 ✭✭✭asimonov


    Krusty_Clown wrote: »
    Here's the video I recorded. Talk about drafting! Unfortunately for some reason I shot it sideways, so you'll have to tilt your monitor (or your head).

    Wow, your GS Fuel pump relay video has been an unlikely viral video sensation. :D


  • #90
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    4 stars (good)
    asimonov wrote: »
    Wow, your GS Fuel pump relay video has been an unlikely viral video sensation. :D
    6,522 views? :eek:
    Just goes to show, some people will watch anything!

    You like my live skiing action too?!


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  • #91
    asimonov
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,378 ✭✭✭asimonov


    Krusty_Clown wrote: »
    6,522 views? :eek:
    Just goes to show, some people will watch anything!

    You like my live skiing action too?!

    It was my second favourite (after the bike of course).

    Oh yeah, berlin is up soon - best of luck to everyone, should be a great day, taxi's seem reasonable.


  • #92
    opus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,027 ✭✭✭opus


    4 stars (good)
    village runner wrote: »
    The skating starts at 4pm odd. The hotel i stay at it passes by at 17.10 at 36k i think.

    Cheers, that sounds perfect! There's a breakfast run as well that I wouldn't mind doing but I haven't been able to track down the details for it in the little booklet I got.
    Krusty_Clown wrote: »
    Here's the video I recorded. Talk about drafting! Unfortunately for some reason I shot it sideways, so you'll have to tilt your monitor (or your head).

    I've sent it onto my friend but somehow I can't see her in a tight group like that for the event! Luckily I was watching it on a laptop was able to turn it sideways :)


  • #93
    liamo123
    Registered Users Posts: 810 ✭✭✭liamo123


    4 stars (good)
    received Email today with race number..Its not long now:)


  • #94
    opus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,027 ✭✭✭opus


    4 stars (good)
    liamo123 wrote: »
    received Email today with race number..Its not long now:)

    Indeed, getting scarily close!

    Btw how many people are participating in this? In the thread on the upcoming races, there are only three names (me being one).
    26-09-2010 Berlin Marathon
    eliwallach
    T Runner
    opus


  • #95
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    4 stars (good)
    Here's a few more (though I dare not add their name to the list. That would be just taking liberties!):
    Krusty_Clown
    village runner
    Emer911
    Peckham
    Liamo123
    Ath36
    PatDusty2010

    I have two friends travelling and running also.


  • #96
    psychozeb
    Registered Users Posts: 726 ✭✭✭psychozeb


    4 stars (good)
    i'm doing it also aswell as three others from the club.hope training is going well for everyone.


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  • #97
    liamo123
    Registered Users Posts: 810 ✭✭✭liamo123


    4 stars (good)
    Crew this might seem like a silly question at this stage but I presume the approx finishing time we entered on orginal entry mail will determine our starting pens???

    Chicago last year was my 1st marathon and I ended up in the last pen with Ronald Mc Donald, Spiderman etc.. Luckly I managed to slither up a bit.. A pal whose a 2.50 marathon runner entered a certified previous marathon time and was up in the 1st pen


  • #98
    opus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,027 ✭✭✭opus


    4 stars (good)
    Krusty_Clown wrote: »
    Here's a few more (though I dare not add their name to the list. That would be just taking liberties!):
    Krusty_Clown
    village runner
    Emer911
    Peckham
    Liamo123
    Ath36
    PatDusty2010

    I have two friends travelling and running also.
    psychozeb wrote: »
    i'm doing it also aswell as three others from the club.hope training is going well for everyone.

    Good few boardies going to be there so. Do people meet for a celebratory beverage or two afterwards, just wondering ;)


  • #99
    Patdusty2010
    Registered Users Posts: 124 ✭✭Patdusty2010


    4 stars (good)
    Is there a tent at the finish line for beers?!

    I strained my calf a week ago so I haven't been running as much as I would have liked. I am surprised how a small twinge in my calf has kept me from running for so long!

    Going to try get running again tomorrow. Its my first marathon and I am in the 4 hour group but I would be fairly confident of doing the race in 3 hrs 30. Its my first one so not going to get carried away with myself and set an unrealistic goal. Going to start trying the carb gels over the next few weeks to see how I get on with them. I might do Dublin as well, it all depends on how I get on in Germany.


  • #100
    eliwallach
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,395 ✭✭✭eliwallach


    3 stars (average)
    Patdusty2010 wrote: »
    Is there a tent at the finish line for beers?!

    By all accounts there is, but I think it is non-alcoholic beer.....
    Tea and fruit aplenty also.


  • #101
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,533 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    4 stars (good)
    Yeah, it is non-alcoholic, but in the heat, after running the marathon it tastes like Champagne. As soon as you walk out of the shower/changing/relaxation/park area, there are tonnes of food stalls, all selling the beautiful amber nectar on tap (the real stuff).

    There's a really nice bar/cafe area around the corner by the river, which would be a fantastic place to meet up, if anyone wanted some post race beers (before the second night-session kicks-off). :)


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