Am I going left or right? – part 2

Next morning… No breakfast in hotel. Reception open from 8 Am. Same with breakfast. That was too late for me. So, cool coffee and banana had to do. But that was enough for whole marathon. Had one more pretzel before the run. Food covered then. Now to run. All pacers were meeting at 8 o’clock. Meeting point CEP booth in expo. I knew that my ‘Compress Sport’ gear won’t be a big hit there. I was correct. As soon as I have started to get in my gear CEP employee came by saying that I cannot run in that gear cause that is their direct competitor. So, calves sleeves gone and running bottoms as well. But we were provided with whole pacing gear. CEP provided us with compress socks, compress bottoms and technical shirt. Unfortunately no head band. And what to do if you are running always with one, and one you have is Compress Sport? Not great but they have allowed to wear mine as long as no one could see the logo. Gear sorted, flag on my back. As a pacer we were given access to VIP area where we could get coffee or tee and something to eat as well before run. And after, separate changing rooms with showers and proper lunch. And that was very nice.

After receiving pacing pack I wanted to use toilet, as you would do before race. But there was no chance to get to any toilet. Everything occupied and queues at least for 15 mintes. Again blue VIP band has rescued us. In building where we could get refreshment before the race were toilets and these were relatively easy to get in. So, ready for race. Three of us for time 3:45 – me , Christian and Volker. Before run we were asked by couple of runners what is our pacing tactics. Are we going to run together or one slightly faster other slower. Yep, that was the question. I think during the race somehow we have decided that we will split up slightly. And at the end Christian crossed the line first, about 45 second before me and Volker as last one still in 3:45 time range. Must say that I was excited to run that marathon. But it wasn’t all positive. Still in the back of the head I have thoughts that recently my Form is not great and here I need to lead the way for plenty marathon runners. But with steady pace and help of atmosphere of bigger race everything disappeared after just couple of km. International partipicants. Met a nice runner from Poland who was aiming for 3:35 – 3:40. had a nice chat with him before we all started our journey. Just after the start I have just noticed that Volker just disappeared in front. Was really hard to get proper pace at the beginning. Plenty runners not to much space to overtake. Sometimes had to run on grass to be able to get myself to place where I should be. 1 km into the race and I have noticed Katherine from DBRC running. Tap in the back, how are you and I was gone trying to catch time lost during traffic jam on the beginning. Quite fast we were out of Olympic Park on the streets of Munich. Straight away we could see runners who were very focused on getting their result (in that case it suppose to be 3:45), but there was plenty as well who just enjoyed running marathon in company of others. We felt strong, at least that was the answer I got when asked the question. Our group was from all over the world. Definitely have Germans (doh), Italians, runners from Poland, Scotland, Canada, US, France. Probably top of the iceberg but these are the ones I know off. We have started together with 10 km runners and split just after first 5 km. They basically turned back to start line. For them that was half of the distance, for us just a beginning. After that split we could see our ‘groupies’ in full swing. After running next couple of kilometres we have entered something between park and forest. And for the next over 10 km we were running in that surroundings. Must say that for the first time I have seen so many runners using bushes as a toilet. It is happening during marathons but this time it was something else. I don’t know if that was caused by running through the park or cause it was little bit chilly (was running before via parks and when was actually colder but haven’t experienced that) but every 50 meters there was someone on the side ‘checking’ if the trees are ok. Kinda strange if you know could see that wasn’t just a men. Ladies as well. Ok, leave that aside. When we were running via park towards city centre there was not many supporters. Why? Probably caused by us taking the whole width of the tarmac. No place for anyone else to be on the road and enjoy that morning in the park. Left park, streets of the city at last. You would think that will be lauder than previously. But not. Little more people but still very quiet. Not many engaged in helping runners. I thought that was odd but Christian told me that Munich marathon is quiet and if I want lauder crowd I need to run Berlin. If you consider that it was already 30th marathon in the city citizens should show a little bit more support. But maybe it wasn’t just about people not shouting and supporting us… Runners were actually silent as well. Usually there is huge buzz in the crowd. Here participants were quiet as well. Focus on their own run, on their own breath and pace. Very little chats. Focus to achieve the goal? Or is it the cultural thing? Probably won’t know till next time in Germany. Volker already told me that Munster is the marathon to run if I’m looking for buzz. Why? Probably cause it is students town. Plenty young people there. Maybe in the future, not now definitely.

Ok, our group is little bit smaller now. We are in the midway point of the race. Runners focused on the run, I’m trying to sightseeing little bit when keeping the pace. Talked to lady runner from Canada, who was running for charity. Quick 4 day trip to Munich to run and back home. Most important thing was to support the charity. Met as well lady from US and have asked the question how she end up running Munich marathon when there is a big one now in US (Chicago was that same weekend). Simple answer, she is living in Munich and working as medical stuff. She was looking to beat her PB, which was 3:44. And I believe she made it. Haven’t seen her after that chat. She went ahead and I have never caught her again. Considering my finishing time I think she got her new PB that day. Great for her. I have terrible memory when it comes to names and unfortunately don’t remember her name, Lady from Canada and that Polish lad. Would be great if I could just contact them. But… yep, my fault. I have great memory but short when comes to names. Stories, faces – not problem, but names… these are gone in next 10 minutes.

Old town now. Getting little bit lauder. More people, more tourists, more support… or they are just angry cause the main street of the old town has been partially blocked cause of the marathon. No, no… that’s just a joke. We have actually felt support there. And running through old part of Munich was brilliant. Great feeling, passing all these old buildings, running through the history of the city. Running like that just reminded me of running old town in Prague. Similar expirience. And as well was running with flag on my back. When we have passed cathedral there was about 12 km of the run left. Walking from that part of the city back to OlimpiaPark ay before I knew that it is about 5 km, so we probably would be taking indirect route towards Olympic Stadium. With every meter closer to OlimpiaPark complex we could see more and more people shouting for us. You could actually feel the proper support now. Some runners were pushing very hard and those who were at the brink of exhaustion got back their mojo,second or even third wind. We have passed mark with number 41 on it. Just 1.2 km to go. Speaker was trying to motivate runners to give everything on these last meters. Christian pushed little bit harder, so his group probably finished just over 3:43. My group has spread up slightly. Some before me, some behind. But all of them definitely heard my when we were running our last 600-700 meters. Motivation – yes. Pushing – yes. You can do it attitude – yes. Go on all. Still have 500 metres to go and 5 minutes spare. Very laud (music) and colourful (lights) tunel which got us to track in the stadium. We all know that there is just last couple of metres to finish. I have slowed down, have still plenty of time. I’m not important, they are. They can hear me (if not, means that person is deaf) they can see me as well (doing there almost jumping jacks, waving my hands). Go, go… You can do it. Still have couple of seconds to finish below 3:45… Many of them did that, many got their PB. I was happy with their run and I think that they were happy with me. Got plenty of thanks, greetings and smiles. That is what helping and pacing is. You run for that smile and thanks at the end…

And now back to title of the post… All going right to the middle of the stadium. Getting medals, water, pretzels (nice addition), cool coffee and… watch that out – beer. Last one is actually normal thing after marathon in Germany. All going right, me and Volker as well but… pacers should go left to VIP area. And there problem started. We were directed 7 times to different place and spent 20 minutes trying to get to lockers and showers. When we have eventually found the place we have noticed that 4 hours pacers were already there taking the shower. And we were very cold and tired of going up and down the stairs in the stadium. Small hick up, nothing else. Locker room – old Locker of Bayern Munich team. Plenty of posters of former players there. Long, warm shower. So nice that we could just get there and do that. No waiting for your turn. And still food was waiting for us upstairs. Good food. Nice deserts, beers, tea, coffee… all inclusive. My VIP treatment hasn’t finished there. Martin (4 hour pacer – Viking) offered to drop me off to airport. Was so glad. Still plenty time waiting for the plane but spare me of traveling with two trains with big bags on my back. Thanks Martin.

Munich marathon. Nice expirience. Parts similar to Prague, part in park unique. Maybe smaller, local marathons have parts where you running through forest. Quiet on the beginning, true. But with every step closed to finishing line you could feel more support. What else can I say? Everyone was very helpful in Munich. Starting with couple in the airport sorting for me trip to hotel, Bianka – super pacers organiser and finishing with pacers advising you on different German marathons and giving me lift to airport.

Not many pictures from marathon and I’m not willing to pay so much to Marathon Photos service (price is really too high for the pack). Was there alone unfortunately. And I know Bozena would love Munich (she was there Ince during Christmas fest).