Tag: Prague

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Running Prague

Medal

This year I was nominated to pace 3:45. Last year I wouldn’t been even think that time could be a challenge. But now with IBS still lurking and form being crap I was little bit concerned. Have I mentioned that in Prague was very hot. Had to buy shorts for myself. Never thought that it could be so, so warm in Czech when we were leaving Dublin. Same routine like last year. Meeting point – Praska Brama, before 8 AM. From our hotel we had just about 5 minutes walk. That was very handy if you compared that to last year 30 minutes walk (or slightly more). Even that we stayed so close to meeting place when we arrived all pacers were there already. All happy. Some runners I knew from last year, some I knew from Facebook. As usual some of them were running in wigs. After all greetings and small chitchat there was time for ‘press’. Many photos were taken. I was feeling really good. Still concerned but ok. Last visit to ‘toilet Jimmy’ and I was ready. Of course when I was ‘doing’ my last preparation rest of the pacers went to starting line and they were officially introduced to runners. As usual I have missed something. Read more

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Czech once again

Sunset

Landed in Prague and what a difference. You could feel the spring, almost summer. Temperature about 20 and more, sunny, refreshing breeze. Nice weekend in front of us (maybe running in such a condition would be challenging but besides that… no complaints). Taxi into Old City to leave our luggage in the hotel (not best but will do, in the heart of Old Town) and of for walk. This time we were staying in the different part of the town. That was most rewarding. Close to all places we wanted to visit and as well allowed us to discover different places which we never have reached being in Prague last year… Read more

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New friends

Eating outside

This post was long overdue… Even that in my head I had so many ideas and things to say about Prague Marathon. But I couldn’t just sit and write about that… That weekend was just brilliant. Prague, run, experience, new friends and prospect of coming back there next year… Read more

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Dobry den

I'm here to

On the way to Prague now. It is very cold on the plane. Feeling little tired after a whole week of heavy running and heavy eating (especially yesterday). We are probably 40 minutes away from landing in Prague. Not decided yet what we will be doing tonight. Probably just relaxing because it will be too late to visit Expo and Running Mall. I’m excited about my first pacing race. As usual I forgot to pack a few things. This time it’s nothing major like watch or shoes but quite handy when pacing – a pacing band. I have prepared a small excel spreadsheet which is calculating for pace and time based on finishing time goal – ‘very fancy’. Have my logo on the top and branding, but (yet again) forgot to prepare and print it. Maybe they will have a printer at hotel or on the Expo… Will see. Not long to go, cabin crew is starting to sell duty free products. And we have announcement about preparation for landing. Great, couple of minutes left and we will be in Czech Republic for the first time (that one time passing by in the bus doesn’t count). That’s all for now, will continue from the city of Kafka… Read more

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I’m pacing…

It took me some and training to start running with the same pace whole way through trainings and marathon runs. It’s a simple as you would think. Keeping same pace through 42.2 km distance is quite demanding but doable. Anyway, since before Dublin marathon I wanted to try and pace runners in the race. Wasn’t lucky with Dublin but knew that it will happen for me. I have sent emails to organizators of 2015 marathons in Dublin, Toronto, Liverpool, Prague and Berlin. All emails I have sent at least 8 months before the race day… And you would think that would be enough but not. Got reply straight away from Berlin and Dublin that they have their pacers team sorted out. First positive reply I got was from Toronto. Unfortunatelly, at the time of email arrival we have already decided that taking a week of during stay in Toronto will take too much days from our holiday days ‘budget’. But that was the first yes. Then came Liverpool and reply that they will be putting together team in the beginning of 2015 and that they will give me a shout if I will be included. Still, maybe. And there was a no from Prague. They put me on to the reserve list. And… after asking them again some time that I got reply that I’m in and they just working out a time for me. After couple of email here and back I ended up as 4 hours pacer in Volkswagen Prague Marathon 2015. Nice… I know, that I will be required to wear Adidas gear (hopefully shoes will be ok) cause they are main sponsor for the race… Read more