LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

Gary · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 32 Location: South London

Well, I've just registered for Berlin, via Davengo, so better get training !

One possible problem, the best time states that it should be from 2004/2005/2006. My best time is 1.32 from 2003 in Berlin. My only race in the last two years was 1.47 in Hamburg 2004. In the end I stuck in 1.32 and will have to take a risk that they'll chuck me down at the back for fibbing. If I put 1.46 they would definitely put me in a worse starting block than I'd like.

I suppose I should really do another marathon before hand, but I'm not likely to beat 1.32 on any of the UK courses and can't really get to any other continental ones.

Ah well, I'll wait and see.

sol · Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 6:06 pm Subject:

Have just registered. My first marathon. A bit scared now Confused

greazer · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 330 Location: Haarlem

dan_b · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 2417

Last year I heard that someone (mentioning no names[*]) put an entirely fake 1:30 down as previous time and it wasn't checked. Perhaps they'd check a claimed 1:10, but I think there's a fair amount of exaggeration going on at the tamer levels.

[*] no, it wasn't me. I'm at least as honest as the (norwegian, midwinter) day is long.

sol · Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 10:20 pm Subject:

Thank you Andy Very Happy

dan_b · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 2417

greazer · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 330 Location: Haarlem

I did Berlin as my first marathon and put 1.22 down, they put me in startblock D (1.30-1.35).
I've upped my PR to 1.15 last year, that is a startblock B by last years standards.
This year they are making smaller startblocks, so what block we are all going to be in remains to be seen.

sol · Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 10:40 pm Subject:

I see you can go back and edit your details. Presumably in case you do another marathon before Berlin.
Hmm..very tempting. What sort of time do you think I could do easily? Wink

Natasha · Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 2973 Location: Basingstoke

Sol, you have I think until a couple of months before to post a better start time. Between then you have Goodwood and Preston marathons, and of course the LIM. I think Preston is going to be the one out of the UK ones that most closely resembles Berlin, so you'll be okay to revise your time once you wow them in Preston.

Gary · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 32 Location: South London

greazer · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 330 Location: Haarlem

Have just registered for my 3rd Berlin marathon.

The strange thing (for me) about Berlin is:
I never skate the time I plan to skate, even though I'm capable of doing it. Confused

- the 1st time I wanted to skate at least 1:24:59 and did 1:25:36 (it was wet and they put me in the "slow" startblock D)

- the 2nd time I wanted to skate at least 1:14:59 and did 1:15:22 (more than half the skaters in startblock B went down in a crash or two, I was one of them)

- the 3rd time I want to skate at least 1:09:59 and will probably do 1:10:00 (I don't know why yet. Suggestions anyone? Wink

)

Cheers,
Andy.

Anne-Jelmer · Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2006 12:30 pm Subject:

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5888

Being out by <1% is not so bad. Try adding 1% to your estimate then you will be faster than you expect. I want to do Berlin in 1:05 but I suspect my estimate is a bit further out Wink

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4070

AlastairJ · Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:27 pm Subject:

Just registered on Davengo. Third one for me, and will try to beat my last year's time of 1:22 - but the site says entrants have to send 'certificates' if their PB is under 1:30 (presumably because people cheat) in order to be issued a starting block. Next is to book flights and accommodation. Has anyone done this yet?