LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

AlastairJ · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:14 pm Subject:

It seems it was a great race for London Skaters of all denominations! Because of the near perfect conditions – sunny, dry, cool, with no wind - I think that a lot of people realised that they could make a fast time, and maybe even a ‘pb’. We were flying along right from the outset – very exhilarating!

However, this may have caused many people to push faster than their technique allowed, and there seemed to be more falls and near misses throughout. There was also a lot of breaking into bends – certainly more than I have seen on my five previous skates in Berlin. Needless to say, this practice is against my religion!

On one such occasion (about three quarters through the race) I stepped out of the paceline to avoid breaking as the people in front of me were doing. This may not have been such a good move, as I ended up pushing and shoving with another skater who was trying to occupy the same space on the narrow bend. We both came out of this OK, but as I was experiencing that euphoric feeling of relief I clipped my own skate and fell down. I tumbled head over heels and my life seemed to flash in front of my eyes.

Then I remember sitting up in the road in a shocked and sombre mood taking stock of my injuries. A drop of blood was oozing from underneath one fingernail, and I had lost a small but noticeable area of skin from the side of my thumb. Before I was able to cry out ‘Woe is me!’, my personal space was invaded by another inconsiderate skater who tripped over me, flew through the air, and eventually landed rather awkwardly on his face several meters away. To top it all, several horrified bystanders almost trampled me in their rush to offer him assistance…

By this time the last remnants of Group B were disappearing down the road. I took to my skates and followed them, having nothing better to do. How strange for the undeserving lone skater to be wildly cheered on by the crowds lining the streets! This is not the first time I have experienced this in Berlin, but it is not something I can easily get used to. Naturally, I tried to return their waves and smiles, even knowing that this could impact negatively on my speed!

To cut a long story short, my race finished without further incident. Despite everything my time was good. I was honoured to have achieved the same time as the mighty Markus, but somewhat miffed that Duracell had beaten me by one second! He, on the other hand, was very pleased with this and wore his finisher’s medal on the journey home…

On a more serious note we were all dismayed to hear of Andy’s fall and injuries whilst in the reception of the Three Pigs when Tanya eventually tracked him down. Good that Andy’s three ‘handmaidens’ (Tanya, Sol and Pamela) looked after him so well and helped him to get back home from the Berlin hospital A&E. Great that Andy is now stabilised and at home, and in good spirits. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

(Sorry for this rambling report!)

dan_b · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 2428

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5914

Having been on the front paceline once, my anecdoal experience would say that in the early stages (at least the first 4km which is about as long as I lasted) the system is much the same, but the average speed is faster. My experience, apart from the realisation that I was not supposed to be here, was one of comfort and struggle. That is similar to the second line, where I have been and finished a couple of times, and the third line where I have done very well on occasion.

There are attacks and responses. Anyone not looking ahead reacted to the breaks and didn't anticipate them. They moved back down the line and were eventually dropped, as I was. Those that anticipated them and had the ability to step up did not lose places. I can't comment much on being in the front line after that but I can comment on having witnessed them as an official. The attacks generally happen when there is an easy opportunity to split the line, e.g. when someone stumbles or falls, on a climb or at the end of a downhill when a specialist in one area lost their advantage to those that wanted to win.

This should not be surprising, but in a tactical front line there is going to be some slowing down and gamesmanship, especially near then end. If you survived this far and have a sprint in you then it is soon time to show it.

peterc · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 1284 Location: M3 somewhere

Similar experience to others here, started somewhere in the middle of B, and spent the first 5K in abject fear as everyone chopped changed, and got pissed off as people chopped and changed.

Got a bit worried by the arrival and then passing of Andy, sparky Ed and Marcus, took this a que to stop worring and get down the road, in the end found a line that was going the right way and it shook out the three way bun fight I had been in. This line got down the road at a good rate and I found myself a Nice Big German™ to sit behind who was happy to chase down the breaks at his pace and not concertina, very useful and saved my back and legs for a number of K.

Eventually he found a big gap that he couldn't seem to close so I tapped him aside and tried to drag him up, looks like he didn't have the legs any more but I got the other guy on to the back of the next one in shortish order. The line chopped and changed a bit in front of me but then by chance I found Bernt from my Sardina group, ahhh the Ultimate Nice Big German™ and we did a lot of formation flying moving up the (now huge) line as it consertinered. At this stage I was interseted in finding where we were, and the "we must be getting close the buildings have changed" feelings that messed me up 5K out got me again so I started to ask around. But I felt fine so rather assumed we still had a way to go.

Then we turned left, and there (in the distance) was the Brandenburg gate. I thought, right time for me to get up the line, tapped Bernt and off we went (okay I went) I rather overshot my mission to near the frount of the line and found myself dragging it along till I felt my legs starting to go just as we hit the cobbles and the world came past. I'm sure there are good photos of that somewhere.

Still, a good new PB, and good fun which is what I wanted, but since the LIM I'm starting to feel "what might have been" if I can just get my sprint right, but it all bodes well for Koln, where I know the finish and have sprinted well in the past.

ed! · Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 10:25 pm Subject:

If anyone is interested in the RBB video, it can be found here:

http://ak-skating.blogspot.com/2008/09/berlin-marathon-2008-media.html

Took a short while to download...all 1.2gb if it. Happy to stick on a USB stick or equivalent if anyone wants to save their bandwidth.

sol · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 2:46 pm Subject:

Hey our very own Fred and Ghiz have made it to the official DVD! Trailer here: http://www.skate-tv.de/003-content/015-videocontent/05-berlin_08/01-berlin-trailer_speed.html

Fred_Paris · Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:33 am Subject:

Thanks for that Smile

I look far too serious !

Glenn · Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 1109 Location: ST Pauls

... but your hair looks fab; which is the main thing. Just goes to show that all that grooming really has paid of.

malspeedster · Joined: 19 Oct 2007 Posts: 259 Location: Crossharbour

ed! · Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 11:13 pm Subject:

It was just the one (long) clip!

Yes, I have it on my machine...I guess I could stick it on a DVD for you...just give me advance warning.

Martyzz1 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 358

I'm trying to remember who, but somebody mentioned that "someone" got a picture of me mid race.. I haven't found it anywhere and was just wondering if "someone" could jog my memory?

Ring any bells?