Berlin 2010 - September

Krusty_Clown

Well, I officially signed up today, after failing to find an alternative suitable fast marathon course in September (Chicago registration was closed). Having run this marathon last year, I'm hoping for a slightly cooler day, and to get ahead of the sub-3 congestion. Unfortunately I missed the cheap registration, so it's now up to €86. Ouch.

So who else is targeting this marathon major?

Berlin 2010
Haile Gebrselassie
Krusty_Clown

village runner

4 stars (good)

Good group of us going.
Should be good to go sub 2.50 at that stage........
We might jog around if our targets are similar.........The last mile would be fun. I wouldnt like to have to trip you...........
We booked it back before xmas..........€316 3 nights 4 star hotel with flights, race and breakfast...........Hookers are extra.

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

If you want to trip me, you'll have to catch me first. I'm planning on 2:48 as a target, but will see what kind of form I'm in, in the middle of June when the training kicks in. So should be bang on for your target. I'll be going for a negative split though.

That's a great price. I'm looking at €150 for flights, plus another €150 for accommodation (apartment), plus €86 (race), plus food.

village runner

4 stars (good)

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

If you want to trip me, you'll have to catch me first. I'm planning on 2:48 as a target, but will see what kind of form I'm in, in the middle of June when the training kicks in. So should be bang on for your target. I'll be going for a negative split though.

That's a great price. I'm looking at €150 for flights, plus another €150 for accommodation (apartment), plus €86 (race), plus food.

Yes Mr negative split.......
See how training goes. Would be nice to have a go........

Peckham

I'm waiting to see what happens in London, but Berlin is a possible for me.

RacoonQueen

I'd love to do Berlin, but if I'm not doing Dingle/Dingle Ultra it'll be because I'm taking a break from marathons and working on my shorter distances.

Seanie_H

Yeah, I'm due to do this one. Hoping for a PB of 3:30. We'll see how training goes.

Slightly concerned at what I've been reading about the start. Seems amazing that so many races have the same problem. Surely somebody somewhere can come up with a standard start which can be applied at all races.

Abhainn

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

If you want to trip me, you'll have to catch me first. I'm planning on 2:48 as a target, but will see what kind of form I'm in, in the middle of June when the training kicks in. So should be bang on for your target. I'll be going for a negative split though.

KC I thought you would be tempted for a low 2:47 at this stage.
I am tempted with Amsterdam in Oct. Fast course. A school buddy of mine did a 2:33 in 2008 after a few years running, then had a son and took his foot off the gas since.
Oh wouldn't it be good to be able to take a permanent sabbatical:rolleyes:

eliwallach

3 stars (average)

As a special treat for the celebration of my 40th (:() birthday, the OH registered me for the Berlin Marathon, booked hotel (5* Intercontinental, in the Ku'damm district, 400m from start line) and flights.
She reckoned that all that interested me was running and travelling....It also suits her as all that interests her is shopping. I jest.

Worked in Berlin many moons ago, so it will be nice to reacquaint myself with the city, albeit while struggling through the streets.

So I'll be there.
Only worry is that our flights (from Dublin) land at 13:55 on the Sat, and the Expo closes at 18:00. All going well we should make it but it is a little close for comfort. IIRC wasn't there some discussion about this last year and a helpful friend can collect your race pack if it come s to that?

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

Seanie_H wrote: »

Slightly concerned at what I've been reading about the start. Seems amazing that so many races have the same problem. Surely somebody somewhere can come up with a standard start which can be applied at all races.

Which problems with the start? You mean congestion? It's unavoidable with 40k runners.

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

Abhainn wrote: »

KC I thought you would be tempted for a low 2:47 at this stage.
I am tempted with Amsterdam in Oct. Fast course. A school buddy of mine did a 2:33 in 2008 after a few years running, then had a son and took his foot off the gas since.
Oh wouldn't it be good to be able to take a permanent sabbatical:rolleyes:

Wait a minute. What's you PB? <checks Abhainn's FB profile picture>. It's missing the seconds. Is that intentional?!!! <checks Dublin 2009 results page>. New target: 2:47:41.

For some reason I was hung up on a September Marathon. Probably because I want to do Dublin as well. Amsterdam in October will probably be a lot cooler than Berlin in September, but it's too late. All booked now.

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

eliwallach wrote: »

Only worry is that our flights (from Dublin) land at 13:55 on the Sat, and the Expo closes at 18:00. All going well we should make it but it is a little close for comfort. IIRC wasn't there some discussion about this last year and a helpful friend can collect your race pack if it come s to that?

That's loads of time to get to the expo. But failing that, i'm sure there will be loads of runners heading over on the Friday.

eliwallach

3 stars (average)

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Well, I officially signed up today, So who else is targeting this marathon?

2 Boards AC members now on their participants list .

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

Haile Gebrselassie is a memeber of Boards AC?! I'll still take him.
My OH is doing it too, as are a few friends. Trying to sort out accommodation now.

village runner

4 stars (good)

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Haile Gebrselassie is a memeber of Boards AC?! I'll still take him.
My OH is doing it too, as are a few friends. Trying to sort out accommodation now.

Check out Hotel berlin berlin under 1800 hotels. We got 3 nights inc breakie for under 180. A steal. Stayed there the last 2 years.

Eillwellech,
I am going over on the friday. I will collect it for you if you wish. Give you breathing space then. Send them an email in a few months and they will reply thats its no bother.
Skating marathon is worth a watch on the sat around 4.30pm.......

Peckham

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Haile Gebrselassie is a memeber of Boards AC?!

Nah, the county board blocked his transfer. Call me a cynic, but I think they spotted a threat to traditional club dominance of the Novice XC.

Seanie_H

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Which problems with the start? You mean congestion? It's unavoidable with 40k runners.

I dunno Krusty, I think it is avoidable..... My thinking is that if we can grow an ear on the back of a mouse, send people to the moon and make stout as good as a Guinness, then surely we can manage to start a marathon without a huge delay.

I'd have thoght the German's could solve a problem like that - same for the Japanese or even NASA. Has anybody ran in Japan or Cape Canaveral?

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

Seanie_H wrote: »

I dunno Krusty, I think it is avoidable..... My thinking is that if we can grow an ear on the back of a mouse, send people to the moon and make stout as good as a Guinness, then surely we can manage to start a marathon without a huge delay.

I'd have thoght the German's could solve a problem like that - same for the Japanese or even NASA. Has anybody ran in Japan or Cape Canaveral?

I didn't lose much time over the first two miles last year (30 seconds?), but the whole of the course is quite populous (think there were 1,200+ runners who finished under three hours!). That's more people than finish a typical Irish marathon! I suppose they could knock down their historic buildings and widen the streets, send everybody off in waves, and look at various other options (I'm out of ideas!) but then people would complain about the alternatives. If you're going to run Berlin, be mentally prepared to run with forty thousand other runners and if you can't hack the idea, aim for a marathon with a smaller field. Barcelona, has around 12K runners and is a fab race (but runs in March).

Another annoyance is water is served in plastic cups, which is pretty crap, so expect to be slowed down at the water-stations as runners try to avoid spilling and slipping on the plastic cups.

Got my accommodation booked, so I'm all set. Wahoo!

Seanie_H

30 seconds isn't much I suppose. We'll see how we go at the back.

Yeah, seems like a bit of a step up numbers wise. Dublin's the biggest of the five I've done. Can't say I enjoy the long lonely stages in the small ones so I look forward to some company.

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

Seanie_H wrote: »

30 seconds isn't much I suppose. We'll see how we go at the back.

Yeah, seems like a bit of a step up numbers wise. Dublin's the biggest of the five I've done. Can't say I enjoy the long lonely stages in the small ones so I look forward to some company.

With a million spectators, there won't be too many lonely spots! Another annoying point was that if you run at your correct pace, (and don't suffer a slow-down) then you will be passing lots of runners for the last 6 or 7 miles (those who have slowed to a walk), which becomes a bit of a dance. It's a shame theywouldn't walk on the side of the road, rather than following the race line. Phew. Glad I got that off my chest. No more gripes today.

village runner

4 stars (good)

Seanie_H wrote: »

30 seconds isn't much I suppose. We'll see how we go at the back.

Yeah, seems like a bit of a step up numbers wise. Dublin's the biggest of the five I've done. Can't say I enjoy the long lonely stages in the small ones so I look forward to some company.

I didnt lose a second. The start is so wide you can do what you want in hte first km. I done a 4.19 to ease into it. Could have done 4 min if i wanted.
Water in cups a pain but you cant have everything. This is my 3rd year in a row so it must be good. Same hotel for the 3 years as well. This year the breakie is included.

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

I tried the Hotel Berlin Berlin, but it's around €554 for the three nights now (for two people). So found a four star apartment hotel, with kitchen facilities, swimming pool near the start/finish for €400 for two people for the three nights. It's also close to the main train station (Hauptbahnhof). Link here, if anyone else is looking for something similar.

eliwallach

3 stars (average)

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

found a four star apartment hotel, with kitchen facilities, if anyone else is looking for something similar.

Nah.
No thanks Krusty.
Going 5 * for this one :rolleyes:.


Although I do envy your kitchen facilities....
might call over for the porridge......

liamo123

4 stars (good)

hi all.. im in for Berlin too.. Cigarette free (at last ) so hoping to improve on my Barcelona time and maybe aim for 3.10 which will qualify me for Boston.

Krusty great time and report form Conn Ultra..Well done

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

eliwallach wrote: »

Nah.
might call over for the porridge......

Cream and honey on the side?

Liam123 wrote:

Krusty great time and report form Conn Ultra..Well done

Thanks much! Hopefully Berlin won't be as hot as Connemara (never thought I'd be saying those words!).

BTW: Aer Lingus are heaving a mini seat sale, so there are some slightly cheaper seats available.

eliwallach

3 stars (average)

Registration @ €80 expires on 23-April-2010.

Thereafter it increases to €100 .

You have been warned :rolleyes:.

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

Too early to start checking out the long range weather forecasts?
I see there are three boards runners registered. The race is on........

Who's the spring chicken?

eliwallach

3 stars (average)

Edit to earlier post:

Early as never before, on April 20th, the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON has sold out its 40.000 entries. Less than a thousand bib numbers are left, all of them are charity entries for 142,195 Euro

Taken from official website.

eliwallach

3 stars (average)

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I see there are three boards runners registered. The race is on........

Who's the spring chicken?

You mean the 1977 kid? Not me guv'.
I'm the senior member of the trio .

Peckham

That would make me the spring chicken then.....although by no means does it mean I'll enter into any discussions about age-handicapping or anything like that!

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

Peckham wrote: »

That would make me the spring chicken then.....although by no means does it mean I'll enter into any discussions about age-handicapping or anything like that!

Good stuff. Glad you got in before they closed the registration. It'll be Weizen beers all around,at 11:48am on the 26th September.

eliwallach

3 stars (average)

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

It'll be Weizen beers all around,at 11:48am on the 26th September.

Didn't realise the organisers were handing out beer at the 20 mile mark :eek::eek: :rolleyes:.

Patdusty2010

4 stars (good)

Hi,

Whats the latest that anyone who has run this Marathon would leave it to book accomodation?

I feel I need to be booking it very soon (probably should have booked already) as there will be so many people in the city that weekend. I will be going over on the Friday.

If anyone has a link to a good place to stay that would be great.

How many people from Ireland did this last year, does anyone know?

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

Computer says 313. I came 17th.
Best was: 2:28:43 (55th place). Worst was: 6:31:52
14 Irish people finished Sub 3 (of which 2 are regular boards posters).

Accommodation depends on whether your travelling on your own, or in a group. If you're part of a two-some, I posted a link back a couple of pages for some solid accomodation.

CianMcD

Hi I missed the registration for Berlin - anyone know if there's a entry about?
Please let me know
Regards Cian

village runner

4 stars (good)

CianMcD wrote: »

Hi I missed the registration for Berlin - anyone know if there's a entry about?
Please let me know
Regards Cian

Try sports international

village runner

4 stars (good)

Patdusty2010 wrote: »

Hi,

Whats the latest that anyone who has run this Marathon would leave it to book accomodation?

I feel I need to be booking it very soon (probably should have booked already) as there will be so many people in the city that weekend. I will be going over on the Friday.

If anyone has a link to a good place to stay that would be great.

How many people from Ireland did this last year, does anyone know?

Are you going on your own ??

seanynova

Would anyone know of a link to the course elevation chart, there is one on marathonguide.com but I'm not sure it's correct as it looks quite hilly on that chart.

Can't seam to find one on the offical website also,

Thanks

Ath36

Seanynova. Dont know about course profile but I ran this race before and it really is the flattest race you will ever run. No inclines worth mentioning.
I am also entered for this again this year. Hopefully sun stays away. A cool overcast day would be appreciated.

village runner

4 stars (good)

seanynova wrote: »

Would anyone know of a link to the course elevation chart, there is one on marathonguide.com but I'm not sure it's correct as it looks quite hilly on that chart.

Can't seam to find one on the offical website also,

Thanks

the biggest hill in berlin is a bridge. Its flat as a pancake. Done it twice and going again this year. I cant speak highly enough about it. SurfaCE is class and roads are so so wide.

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

This is from my GPS tracklog from 09:


It really is the flattest marathon you will ever run. There is a reason why the world record has been beaten twice on this course in recent years.

CianMcD

Hi Village runner - thanks for suggestion. Sports travel international? Is it a travel group in Dublin or what? Do you think there will be another release of entries??

Patdusty2010

4 stars (good)

village runner wrote: »

Are you going on your own ??

Hi,

No I am heading over with a few friends. I am the only one running the Marathon though. Its my first one. I registered about a month ago. I said I would run Berlin as I could also have a bit of a holiday there rather than just running Dublin and then coming home afterwards! It seems like a flat course so this might make it a little bit easier for me on my first marathon.

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

CianMcD wrote: »

Hi Village runner - thanks for suggestion. Sports travel international? Is it a travel group in Dublin or what? Do you think there will be another release of entries??

They are a group that charge a premium for an all-inclusive marathon package (including guaranteed marathon entry). Here's their Berlin site. Typically they require you to book either flights and/or hotel as part of the package.

There won't be any further releases of entries to the Berlin marathon, so going through operators like the above, or taking a charity-based guaranteed place are your only options.

Peckham

Anyone yet to book accomodation for Berlin, and is looking for cheap and cheerful, here is an option for you:

http://www.hotel-centralinn-berlin.com/

I've just booked in at €160 for a single room for 3 nights (Fri-Sun). It's about halfway between Mitte and Tiergarten so ideally located from the point of view of marathon and post-marathon.

Basic, but fit for purpose

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

Peckham wrote: »

Basic, but fit for purpose

What's a 'a snugly beer garden'?

Looks like you're around a street away from where we're staying.
Training starts in 3 weeks.

Peckham

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

What's a 'a snugly beer garden'?

Pop round on the Saturday and I'll show you....don't bring Mrs Clown though!

3 weeks? I'll be using a 12 week plan which gives me another 5 full weeks....targetting Clontarf Half on July 4th, so plenty of shorter speedier stuff for that, but maintaining a 13-15 miler once a week. After Clontarf it's full steam into Berlin.

Have a week holiday with little running likely on week starting 16th August, which falls nicely as a recovery week. Trying to find a decent race in Dublin area on Saturday 14th before I fly out. Frank Duffy 10 miler would have been perfect, but that's the following Saturday.

Haven't booked flights yet, which are currently showing at €200 plus booking fee & baggage charge. Am banking on Aer Lingus doing some kind of promotion at some stage......that could come back to haunt my bank balance!

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

Yeah, you're right. 5 weeks. I'm just over-eager. I'm also planning a break of a week, but will keep it floating until I know what I'm doing.

I'm averaging around 40-42 miles per week at the moment, with lots of speed-work and hills, so ticking over nicely. Any idea what plan you're going to follow?

Peckham

Took a while to get back into it post-London, but last week and this week will see a total of around 35 miles each. Will move up to 40 miles next week using something similar to the Hal Higdon 10k/Half marathon plan ... with weekly longer runs thrown in to keep the legs accustomed to the pounding, and probably a good few 5-10k races (next week it's a duathlon on Weds and 10k race on Sunday).

For the main show I'm going to switch focus to Daniels (but the Pfitzinger structure won't be far from my thoughts!). I like Daniels' thinking on long runs and speedwork sessions, as well as his VDOT approach. Am going to map it all out this weekend if I feel so inclined.

A schmorgesborg of marathon gurus!

Not sure I fully understand Daniels though - am going to start a thread about it and see what others think. You've read his book haven't you?

Krusty_Clown

4 stars (good)

Peckham wrote: »

Not sure I fully understand Daniels though - am going to start a thread about it and see what others think. You've read his book haven't you?

Nope. Not in the least bit familiar with it, so will be keen to see how you get on in Berlin. I think we're getting to a stage where we have a consistent set of posters/marathon runners who have tried various approaches. We'll soon be able to include training plan review polls (are you watching Woddle?!).

Woddle

4 stars (good)

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Nope. Not in the least bit familiar with it, so will be keen to see how you get on in Berlin. I think we're getting to a stage where we have a consistent set of posters/marathon runners who have tried various approaches. We'll soon be able to include training plan review polls (are you watching Woddle?!).

Sure am and not a bad idea although I have tried to read Daniels and there is some good stuff in there but overall I actually hated the layout of the book and also the training plans, just tell me what I'm suppose to run on Monday, I don't want to have to figure it out, 3 stars from me