Stood in my friend’s kitchen in December 2022, my phone alerted me to a new email announcing a very unexpected successful ballot place in the Berlin Marathon. Truth be told, I’d forgotten I’d entered!
Training started and it was going well up until the Great North 10K, where I not only came away with a new 10K PB but also my second metatarsal stress fracture (the other foot this time). In true NHS worker/runner style I don’t like to follow the rules and the weight of a moon boot irritates me greatly so I quickly sacked that off and attempted to just rest/hobble around (not recommended — please follow your doctor’s advice!)
To my colleague’s relief, on 29th August 2023, I made the difficult (and costly) decision to defer my entry to the following year and just enjoy a weekend away in Berlin.
Fast forward one year, and I’m stood near the start line of the 50th Berlin Marathon ready to take on the race.
So, what happened in that year?
My head and heart weren’t in training for the rest of 2023 but I stupidly and successfully gained a place in the Brass Monkey. Full of cold, feeling rotten and close to pulling out, I was dragged along in Barry’s fun bus to run the half marathon. I hated every minute of the race. And that was the slap around the face I needed.
Fully recovered, from cold and stress fracture, I hit the ground running (metaphorically and literally). Training was first focussed on improving my times at shorter distances with the plan to then start adding the longer runs in and prepare for a marathon from around July onwards, all the while being cautious of not increasing milage too quickly to avoid another broken bone.
It worked and I loved it! I found my love for running again! I was strict on myself and disciplined — never missing a long run despite work or socialising, even if that meant getting up at 5am to run double digits before an 8-hour shift at work. Thank goodness for Costa that’s all I can say!
I’d scheduled some races throughout my training as ‘benchmarks’ to assess my progress — Sunderland 10K (a run that was ran very hungover), Quayside 5K (a huge PB!), and Great North Run (the soggiest PB to date) to name but a few. I was happy with my progress and I felt ready!
A side note: One recommendation to anyone thinking of taking on their first marathon — you can’t fuel a long run on just mini Percy Pigs. For previous marathons I’d used SIS gels and found I could stomach these well. But for some reason, this time round, I hadn’t bought any and just kept running with some sweets. 3 weeks out from race day, I finally decided to assess my fuelling and opted for a carb drink and salt chews but hadn’t yet worked out how on earth I was going to carry these around the race with me. I also trialled the fuel options that would be available on the course — these were okay but not my favourites, they’d do if there was nothing else.
Race weekend
Of course, it didn’t quite go to plan! I had some tendon pain from Great North Run and then picked up a cold from work the Wednesday before race weekend — typical! But I had vowed to myself this would not stop me, my training could not be in vain this time.
All parkruns in and around the centre were cancelled due to race weekend, so I found a nice park near my hotel and went for an easy 5K run to get the legs moving and shake off the flight.
The Expo was based at the Tempelhof airport, a pretty cool place for an expo! I got my wristband and collected my number — I was starting in wave C (09:15 kick off). After checking out all the merch, the best adidas trainers and alcohol free Erdinger, I stumbled across a stand that was offering free kinesiology taping. I had my posterior tibial tendon taped up and was as ready as I could be.
Not someone who is particularly superstitious, I still didn’t want to break from my tradition of having some pasta the night before a race. Finding a cheap and cheerful Italian restaurant (sorry Ricco), I was content eating my pasta and planning points along the race Paul could stand and spectate/pass me my carb drink — we picked 9K, 19K, 27K, 35K and the end.
Race morning
Fuelled with a big breakfast, we headed for the underground. Think Great North Run weekend on the metro but even more enclosed! It was overwhelming. We definitely weren’t getting on the first train. Waiting for the second, thinking I might not even get on this one, I was starting to panic. Just over one hour to go until the start, Google Maps said it was a 35-minute walk and I opted for that.
It was a gorgeous walk! A beautiful crisp autumnal morning seeing all the sights of Berlin and getting the legs warmed up, what more could you want.
(Spot the Percy Pigs in the photo above!)
The start area was just behind the Reichstag. I did my final toilet stop and headed for my pen. This was where the chaos began! 55,000 participants and not the best direction, there was some fence hopping and a bit of pushing and shoving. We heard the race start, more pushing and then all of a sudden, I was crossing the start line. We were off! 42KM to go!
The Race
I’d been told it would be a close start, at least for the first couple of miles, and I was used to the compactness of other races but this was something else. Everyone was so close, so much weaving, trying to avoid getting in anyone’s way. I honestly don’t think the race thinned out that much at all over the whole course. If I was asked to describe the race I’d say ‘a sensory overload’ — the sounds of the crowds, the smells of sweat, seeing so many legs moving in a paced rhythm. It was a lot but yet also an atmosphere I needed, it forced away any ability to overthink and get in my own head which is something I’ve struggled with on other marathons.
I saw Paul at the 9KM point as we had planned. Good job he can sprint and shout loud! I weaved my way over so he could take a photo. I was feeling good, I’d found my rhythm, and despite an annoying cough and the constant feeling of needing to be sick, I was in good spirits. I picked up some water around the 10K mark — a full halt as it was paper cups and I can’t drink from these and run. I can see your irritation now, knowing I probably lost a full minute along the way doing this method but I’d rather have the water!
Despite mine and Paul’s best efforts, I didn’t see him at the 19KM marker. Dammit, that’s when I had been aiming for my carb drink. Not to worry, I popped a salt chew and kept going. 8KM later and still no sign of Paul — oh dear, my plan was falling apart. Like me, I bet you are thinking he got lost or stopped for a pint of Guinness and lost track of time. But contrary to popular belief, the underground in Berlin can actually be delayed or sometimes even cancelled (I was as shocked as you are). Paul had decided to not wait for the next train and probably end up missing me all together and switched trains aiming for the 32KM point (not one we had planned). What a pleasant surprise I had when I heard him shout after I’d just passed under a blow-up arch advertising Bumble of all things ‘find people who go the extra mile’ was the slogan on it — quite fitting really. And, with a bit of sprinting on Paul’s part, he also managed to pass me the pot of gold I had been waiting for — my carb drink!
With some more substantial fuel in me, another salt chew and some water, the next few KMs past quite quickly. Next thing I knew we were hitting the 39KM marker and the chance for Paul to run alongside me. I told him my knee was starting to hurt, his response was ‘don’t drop that pace, you are doing so well!’- rich coming from a man who doesn’t own a watch and has no idea what pace he is running at. But the motivational pep talk worked and I was so grateful.
Not too long after I passed the 41KM marker, my watch clocked a full marathon — I should be done now but the Brandenburg gate was nowhere in sight! I was exhausted! My body was telling me it had had enough. I had a mental fight with myself ‘don’t you dare stop now!’ And that’s when I saw it, the gate and the last few hundred metres.
The End
I crossed the finish line and clocked my time — 3:23:59 — get in! That meant I had ran a Boston Qualifying Time (BQT) which was a secret goal I had set myself all along.
After what felt like walking miles, I was given my medal, my goodie bag (so much fruit) and a lovely cosy poncho to avoid the quick temperature drop. I found Paul at the spot we had chosen to meet on the way to the start and headed straight for an alcoholic beverage — well deserved!
Joanna’s 3 top tips:
- Never miss a long run
- Don’t leave a decision on fuel until the last minute
- Eat well and sleep well to prevent injury
Joanna McNeill
