RACE RECAP! Got to my start block over an hour and a half early as I wanted to see the world record marathoner Eliud Kipchoge start. The energy at the official start was amazing and with each wave it just kept building. Check out the video below…
My wave started at 10:30 with me crossing the start line officially at 10:35am Berlin time. My goals were A) PR (current PR is 4:42 from Myrtle Beach 2020) preferably in less than 4:30 hrs, B) Beat 5 hours, C) just finish. My plan was to shoot for a negative split. Historically I’ve gone out too fast feeling so good at the beginning so I really made an effort not to do that this time. Everything was on track by the half marathon point. Saw my wife and oldest son about there and got a kiss and a high five. At mile 15 my Shokz headphones suddenly cutoff. A minor distraction and with the crowds and live bands there was plenty of energy. But at mile 18 my bladder was about to bust and as much as I didn’t want to stop at a port o potty I couldn’t help it. I waited till I saw one that had no lines and went straight to it. However, I stumped my left foot on a piece of rock protruded from the sidewalk and briefly lost my balance. I recovered quickly, did my business and took off. But for the last eight miles I had a bleeding left big toe (you can see in the reel a pic of my shoes with the bloody patch on the left shoe) and a scuffed up right knee which started to develop an ache.
But hey… this is the Berlin Marathon so there was so much crowd energy and I just prayed the Lord would continue to give me strength to hit that next gear and push through. Berlin crowds were amazing. I lost count of how many people called out my name as I ran by and they were encouraging me and cheering me. Even had one Berliner say “Go Gary! Just like Gary Cooper!” I thought to myself, ‘I like the comparison’. This is a flat and fast course. I feel really confident I could’ve gotten that PR but I did hit my B goal and I will take that. My heart is full and I feel so blessed that Berlin gave me the chance and the Lord blessed me with the opportunity! Today, I’m counting stars!
