Berlin Marathon

Berlin Marathon. The flattest, fasted marathon course in the world. The PB course.

Going in to 2014 this was my A race and I was aiming for a sub 4 hour time. Having got London under my belt in 4:15 in April, I’d kept up the training, pushing myself harder and harder, faster and faster, and sub 4 was looking good.

If you’ve read my blog before you’ll have seen how this fell apart. I picked up numerous injuries in my right leg (glute, hip flexor, patellar tendon, calf, and nerves in my foot…just a few) and 5 weeks before Berlin I could barely walk. I stopped running and worked hard on rehab. I stupidly went into a half marathon 3 weeks before and made the decision at 10 miles that Berlin would be a marathonless city break instead. By the finish line I was the limping wreck I’d been the previous week. All rehab work wiped out.

The next 10 days was back to the rehab – mental and physical. I started doing a little running on grass. Slow, short and just looping about the local park. It was frustrating, but better. I could run Berlin, just not how I’d hoped. So, with the help of my coach, Plan B was formed. I wanted to get SOMETHING out of this marathon that would help me in the future, not just “get round”.

Plan B
– Practice a carb-depleting / carb loading strategy the week leading up to the race – there’s glycogen store science behind this!
– Run the marathon at a comfortable pace but aim for negative splits – the dream!

Sounds simple right?!

Here’s how I got on…

On marathon day we set off for Tiergarten, to the start. It was only a short walk from our hotel and as we got closer the throngs of people grew. And there it was, the start line.

I made it to my pen in plenty of time and waved off my boyfriend who was off to wait for me at our agreed waving point number 1! All was looking good until I realised that the bag drop was over the other side of the pen. No worries, I’d go through the pen and drop off my bag. Oh no, it was WAY over the other side of the pen. And the park. And my number was the furthest away. Mild panic ensued.

Bag eventually safely deposited (although I was close to just abandoning it in a bush!) I got back to my pen to hear the elites being announced and the waves in front of me started to go. I felt calm. I took it all in and was ready to get my race underway.

Crossing the start line and heading up towards the iconic Victory Column was amazing. The crowds and other runners were so supportive.

What struck me straight away was how wide the roads are. Everyone who has run it tells you but it’s amazing, you have so much room almost immediately, there’s no tripping over others or struggling to get your pace. I was still really calm and settling into a comfortable pace. The route was lined with supporters but not stifling amounts. There was a lot of cheering and banners (very little of which I understood) but it didn’t feel too crowded or claustrophobic. Just perfect.

As ever, my tried and tested gel strategy was going well. An hour in and I was still feeling great and my pace was consistent. I wasn’t even looking at my watch too much, just happy with how everything with feeling. Knowing I wasn’t going to be pushing it too hard, I’d taken my phone with me and called my boyfriend as I was coming up the mile markers we’d agreed he’d be at. Not that I needed to, the tracking on the app was spot on, and my pace was so consistent that you could pretty much guess my position at any given time and be within about 30 seconds! Even I was pretty impressed with me.

2 hours in and I was feeling great. Gels going to plan, no pain and pace spot on. I was enjoying it as I said I would and taking in the sights. The great thing was that every time I planned to see my boyfriend I could see him and he could come and check I was OK, bring me water, and run alongside me for a bit. That added to the enjoyment massively for me. The anxiety I felt trying to scan the crowds looking for my family during the London marathon earlier this year added to the panic of the race.

Despite my pet hate, the water out of plastic cups situation, the fuelling stations were actually really well positioned and organised.

I managed to chat to a few other British runners when I saw a club or charity top I recognised. It helped to keep my pace steady (knowing I could talk) and made the race more enjoyable, especially when I could barely understand any of the supportive words being shouted by the crowds!

3 hours in and I was still feeling strong. I’d started to get a few twinges in the base of my back, from my piriformis and glute issues I think, but as long as I kept my body upright (no slouching) it was fine, which served as a great reminder to keep my form good.

30km was where it got dark at London. I’d never known pain like it. The wall in every sense possible. But this, Berlin, this was going swimmingly. I was smiling, I wasn’t in any pain, I was still chatting to people where I could. Whether it was the slower pace or the nutrition plan the week before the race, it was working. I like to think it was a bit of both.

I got to 40km in 4:15, the same time I’d completed London, but feeling on top of the world. 2km to go and this was quite literally the most enjoyable run of my life.

Running through the Brandenburg Gate was, as you’d imagine, incredible. Everyone was stopping to take selfies! Although I wasn’t that bothered about my time, and had my phone with me, I still wanted to get to that finish line. My finish was a full on, arms in the air, big fat smiley finish.

Then I stopped. And my glutes seized up. And I couldn’t walk. Not even to get my medal 10 metres away!

When I finally got to it, the beer helped.

So, how did Plan B go….

– Practice a carb-depleting / carb loading strategy the week leading up to the race – I feel like this went well. I would definitely do it again. I didn’t hit the wall, which could have been for many reasons (I was fit enough, in stamina, to run a lot quicker), but I do feel, and did feel through the marathon, that my energy levels were super consistent. I’ll definitely do it again for my next marathon.

– Run the marathon at a comfortable pace but aim for negative splits – well it was extremely comfortable. I wouldn’t have pushed it any harder, I’d have risked the injuries kicking in and it could have fallen apart. Negative splits, not quite, 2:14:13 & 2:15:00 for the first and second halves respectively, so close, and all in all a bloody consistent run – see below.

And here’s how London went, so you can see to difference and how, I think, I’m learning as I go through these things.

The ballot for Berlin 2015 is still open. If you fancy an international marathon then I would highly recommend it. It was fast, flat, well supported and more relaxed than London. It’s a bit pricier than others, and you don’t get much in the way of finisher gear for your money (medal, 700 leaflets and an apple in a bag and the beer! No t-shirt of any description) but I had a great time, so it was worth it.

I’ll be back one day to do Berlin properly on that PB course, and get the time I deserve for the training I put in. But for now, Berlin, you were awesome!

LRG
x

LRG Runs LDN!!

So this is the lengthy version of my amazing marathon experience….sorry, not sorry!

I made a weekend of it, meeting Jeff and some of the amazing #UKRunChat crew running London at the expo on Saturday. What a fantastic experience! It was rammed, but we chatted to so many people, runners and exhibitors alike, and I came away buzzing.

The #UKRunChat tweetup dinner at Strada was a great success and it was fantastic to meet so many likeminded people, with a great sense of humour and a genuine love for running. We compared nerves, stories, tips and finally wished each other good luck for the following day.

And so, after a very broken night of sleep, race day was upon us. I got up at 6am, unable to lie there with the nerves anymore. My kit, gels, throwaway warm clothes and drinks all prepared the night before, I took my time getting ready and headed out into the clear, crisp morning for the tube and exchange tension filled glances with the packed carriage. A few stops and a trudge through the unknown streets of London and I’m there.

Upon entering Greenwich Park the place opened up to hoards of people bathed in glorious sunshine. Alzheimer’s Society had laid on a fab do for us at a tea pavilion in the park, so I made good use of the quiet time and clean loos then headed off to hand my bag in. I made my way to the start area and over to my pen, and stood there nervously with Batman and Robin! We hear the elite men set off and the tape is cut. Inching forward it’s a few minutes until we go over the start line and I’m already instantly overwhelmed by the amount of runners and supporters on the route, but focus on my race and my pacing.

The first 4 miles go by  in a flurry of coloured vests, heartbreaking causes and surprising fancy dress! I manage to find a comfortable pace and my gels and water plan go well. The sun was beating down but I’d done 19 miles in heat of the Algarve…this was nothing! Remembering the words from my coach, I stopped myself weaving too much and reined in the pace to save enough for later.

9 miles in and I was feeling really steady, a comfortable pace and fuelling going well. It was still really busy, the runners hadn’t thinned out as I thought they would and the crowds were at least 4 people deep at nearly every part of the course. With my name on my vest I was getting a lot of encouragement, which was great, but dodging the walkers and people dropping like flies in the heat was taking its toll.

Advancing to Tower Bridge was all I’d dreamed of and looked incredible. I kept my head high, taking it all in, just remembering exactly how amazing we were to be there. I hit the half-way point at just under 2 hours, bang on time. Just after that, blade runner, Richard Whitehead, was heading back on the same stretch at 22 miles, and the crowds and runners went wild. He looked so strong.

They say the marathon starts at mile 20. You’ll never feel this so much as at mile 20! Miles 18 and 19 saw me feeling weaker, despite my bang on gel strategy and catching glimpses of friends and family amongst the huge crowds. Miles 20-22 were hideous, a dark dark place. I tried to channel the words of my coach and keep my head up. Almost the whole field in my view were walking, I was still running…just!

I found a second wind at mile 23 and, although it wasn’t particularly quick, I was feeling stronger and happier. The Houses of Parliament, 800 metres to go, I picked up the pace, 200 metres and I could see the finish. I sprinted and passed practically everyone in view (my legs weren’t my own at that point) and through the finish line! 4:15:12, a 42 minute PB. What an amazing feeling! On top of that, I could still walk afterwards, a miracle in itself! Collecting my medal was a moment I won’t forget, and everyone around me congratulating each other.

I’m full of pride and am so grateful to everyone that got me here. I really want a sub 4 finish this year, London wasn’t it, but I tell you, it’s taught me some amazing lessons. The next 5 months are focusing on Berlin and that illusive sub 4. I know I can do it, so I’d better crack on hadn’t I!

Thanks so much for all your support, you’ve been amazing, and have helped more than you’ll know in my journey.

LRG x

 

p.s. also found out I’d been on the BBC London Marathon coverage opening segment after being interviewed at the expo….my 0.5 seconds of fame!

Saucony Kinvara 5 Launch

Last week I was lucky enough to receive an invite to the launch of the new Saucony Kinvara 5 at their amazing pop up store in Neal St, Covent Garden.

 

The store itself is there for the spring marathon season, and celebrates the history of running with a fantastic retro theme, an exhibition of the Saucony running and racing shoes of the past, the Saucony Originals that are available (I never thought I would be into retro fashion trainers but these have changed my mind!), marketing and posters from yesteryear, running nostalgia and, of course, the latest Saucony running range too.

 

The staff were fantastic, very knowledgeable about the range and the technology, and we were given our amazing new Kinvara 5 LONDON Limited Edition trainers. This red, black and gold version will be available in limited numbers from the Neal St. store and at the London Marathon Expo, 9th-12th April. The full range will go on sale in May.

 

Previous Kinvara models have won critical acclaim and a number of awards, as well as being a top selling all over Europe and the US. The Kinvara 5 boasts various new developments:

• Pro-Lock lacing system to hold the foot in place comfortably and securely and lock the foot to the Powergrid midsole.
• The collar fabric and padding have been upgraded to give a better, more comfortable fit around the ankle.

The weight of the shoe remains the same as the previous model, and it keeps it’s award winning characteristics.

 

As I’m running the London Marathon in 6 days I’ve had to delay the road test until afterwards! I have no doubts that the Kinvara 5 will be amazing, but I would wrap my feet in cotton wool and bubble wrap this week is I could! So review to come.

Once we were all in our beautiful new footwear, we were treated to some details about the history of the brand and design from Jonathan Quint, EMEA Marketing, as well as a brief running technique workshop and Q&A with England Athletics, Running With Us and RunLounge coach, Nick Anderson. It’s safe to say there was some great information for us all there, especially those of us undertaking a marathon in the next few weeks.

 

RunLounge are putting on 2 further Q&A sessions with a training run, going from the Saucony shop this week. You’ll learn loads from Nick and the team, and someone at each session will win a bundle of Saucony gear, RESULT!

 

The pictures speak for themselves. It was an amazing evening, the shop is fantastic and the guys really know their stuff. The history there is phenomenal and it’s crazy to think of some of the trainers people used to run in, especially when you looks at what we have nowadays.

 

I’m super excited to test out the Kinvara 5’s next week…actually more than likely the week after! I’ll let you know how I get on. In the meantime, get yourself down to Covent Garden and join the RunLounge coaches for some top running.

 

I’m off to go and hug my amazing trainers again now!

LRG x