Thanks to our client Sheila O’Neill for sharing this race report from the Berlin Marathon! She writes,
“Berlin marathon, is in most marathoner’s bucket list. The flat course, enthusiastic crowds, and amazing collection of bands, DJs, drums, bagpipes is truly a jubilant experience.
I planned to run the course for a PR. I’ve been working with MTA Coach Henry through 2025 New York and 2026 Boston. Running Boston in 3:56, as a 65 yr old, gave me a new BQ with a 40 minute buffer. I felt I could do even better on a flat course.
I didn’t. But I still really enjoyed the experience. About six weeks before the marathon. I started having foot pain. Went through a month of trying to figure out whether or not it was a stress fracture. It was not. But during that time I had to cut back my running significantly. Coach Henry help me figure out a plan to keep some level of fitness and not make any injuries worse.
I Found out two weeks before Berlin that it was not a stress fracture. Yes there are problems in my foot, and I have an appointment with a podiatrist on October 1. That gave me the greenlight to run Berlin. My new goal was to get to the start line and get to the finish line healthy.
Race day started out about 59°. The corrals are very festive, and the excitement was building. I got to start with fellow MTA Runner, Julia. We had been on the Dolomites trip together. That was really special to be able to share this experience. It was way too crowded to attempt to run together. So we wished each other well and began our runs.
It was crowded, lots of weaving and jostling. I learned to use my elbows to defend my personal space. Runners darting across the road in front of me. Spectators sprinting through with bicycles, 15 aid stations with so many plastic cups, the roads were sticky from gel wrappers. Between the sticky shoes and plastic cups, each aid station became treacherous.
Halfway through, the day really started to warm up. The temperatures hit 76 later that afternoon. Perfect for a spectator. Not so perfect for a runner.
I wanted to be competitive and keep up with the pacers that I saw ahead of me. But I kept reminding myself that I was lucky to be starting this marathon, and I needed to run conservative.
I finished in 4:11, 15 minutes slower than my time at Boston on what is considered a faster course. But, that’s what I was capable of today.
Coach Henry is so enthusiastic and positive. While I felt disappointment in my time, he was so complimentary and that really helped me. Looking back, I’m really pleased with what I was able to accomplish. It was really hard. But my training had me prepared and kept me healthy. My body feels fine today. Tomorrow I go meet the podiatrist and see what I can do to heal up and get faster. I have my entry for Boston 2027. Taking a bit of a break and then I’ll start my build in January with Coach Henry!”
Gratefully,
Sheila O’Neill
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