Am I going left or right? – part 1

…and no. Vincent I wasn’t lost again when running. There was little bit confusion when was trying to get to VIP area to pick up my bag and get quiet and hot shower. On the finishing line me and Volker (other pacemaker) went right to queue in the line for medal. Got it and start to ask question where is VIP area. Got couple mixed answers. Some were sending us up the stairs and then down, some saying that we should just go there (pointing in random directions). Eventually, after running stadium steps up and down twice, crossing marathon route we got to our VIP shower. That was nice. Hot shower after cold run. Then little bit snack in VIP lounge… Ok, but start from the beginning.

Had landed in Munich relatively late. Was already 8 PM when I was standing in front of ticket machine trying to convince that piece of metal to cooperate. Showing me that I can get to my destination with direct connection. Transport map of Munich was showing that different. Ok… Will sort that out in a second. Will just buy whole day ticket. Just before pressing buy someone asked me if I’m going to city centre. Young couple offered help and gave me their daily ticket which was valid till 6 Am next day. Lucky, still decent people here. Waiting on fast train (kinda like a DART). Had to decide if getting out earlier and taking bus or later with U-Bahn (underground / metro). Went for quicker option – bus. But when was sitting in the bus I was just thinking that maybe that wasn’t best idea. Little bit doggy neighbourhood. 11 stops and surroundings still not great. Anyway, arrived. Bus stop literally 10 metres from hotel door (more like better hostel). Cause breakfast is served just from 8 taking our just for Saturday. For marathon day will need to organise something myself. Time to pay… credit card not declined but can’t pay. What? That is my only card, other one still hasn’t arrived. What to do now? Besides is ATM. No problem there. Strange. Ok, sorted now. After excitement of first couple of minutes in hotel and whole bus experience decided to go for a walk and find maybe place where I can drink a coffee. Again, that was quite hard. At 9 Pm no shops open with any coffee. Have fount gas station. Got my coffee and after that went for a walk. Long walk considering time of the evening, not being familiar with neighbourhood. When walking I have noticed that there is huge BMW factory. Size of one block, to get around I needed good couple of minutes. Would say that my walk was about 5-6 km and 3/4 of that was going around that BMW plant. Came back to my tiny but clean room tired. Switched on TV just to fall asleep in next couple of minutes. And by the way, middle of Munich and hotel has really crap internet. Actually I would say no Internet at all. Never mind. Can live with that. Plan for tomorrow: breakfast, expo and short run in the evening.

Had breakfast at 8. Quite nice meal after which I went to visit expo. Expo Hall was maybe 20 minutes slow walk from hotel so had plenty of time to get there at 10 (opening time). Pick up my running pack. Not much in it really. Now I’m starting to appreciate racing packs given in Poland. Now, look around expo. Was tempted to buy running shirt which looked like regional Bavarian top. Haven’t bought it. Good. Decided just to try socks with 5 fingers. Michał was saying that he is running now with just these the of socks. What the hell, can try it. I’m just a pacer. Nothing should go wrong. Left expo just before noon and decided to go to old town part of Munich. Walked, haven’t used the public transport. From OlimpiaPark where expo was located (and start / finish line) to old town is about 5 km. Little bit more if like me you would like to visit market where October Fest is taking its place. Really nice market, with local produce. Sausages, gingerbreads, sauerkraut, wooden craft. Just name it. Some souvenirs landed in the backpack. Coffee to go and on my way back. Already have passed over 5 hours since leaving hotel. GPS was showing at least 11 km done outside, not counting probably 1 or 2 km done on expo. On the way down and back I was passing Marian Platz. Centre of old town. Really crowded, but nice. Good vibes, reminded me little bit Prague. But with wider streets. Strange enough, I think I like old parts of the towns same way as I like really industrial parts. Hard to understand even for me. Cause I haven’t booked for myself pasta party on expo I wanted to get to maybe sushi bar or if not that then to Italian restaurant. I think I prefer rice as carbs source. One the down I have noticed one sushi bar and decided that on way back I will try to get food there. So, here I was in front of that bar. Checking menu for sushi options. Plenty to choose from. Spent couple of minutes there but made my decision. Pulled the door. And buzzer sound – no can’t get in. Closed. Good damn it. Passed couple of Italian restaurants already but cause wanted rice I was ignoring these. Now, that was a revenge. Nothing decent till OlimpiaPark. And that was Pizza Hut. No, don’t want that. Decided to go into Olympic Village. Same village where these armoured terrorists attacks took place back in 1974. Now, these apartments are rented out to institutions, are student dorms but the all buildings are still there. Students… hmm. There will be food. Chinese or tai. I was correct. Got myself fried rice with egg and shrimps. About food in Munich. There plenty of kebabs, stands with fried chestnuts and fresh fruits. Restaurants were packed during that weekend. Maybe not just that weekend, maybe that was regular thing here. Don’t know and probably won’t know that. Ok, back to me getting back to hotel. Got myself as well couple of cold coffee drinks (no kettle in hotel) and some chocolate (trying to convince myself that was for energy need for next day not sweet tooth). Went to bed, tried to connect to internet (failed). Watched Euro qualifiers. First Kazakhstan – Netherlands game and after that Czech – Turkey. Wreck tired. End up being outside for 8 hours. Almost all the time on my feet. Made more than half marathon walking. So, on Sunday I will be tired. Pacers meeting at 8 Am besides CEP booth. They probably won’t appreciate me wearing Compress Sport socks and head band 😉
Initially I wanted to put everything in one post – Munich experience and marathon. But it looks that will be better to split that into two posts. So, Sunday and marathon will be on next post.