My first try at a Marathon

I found out that the Berlin Marathon has a short version that anyone can run in, no cost with a free Breakfast at the finish line. Well, that isn't quite enough to get me to run 6km but the prospect of the finish line being in the 1936 Olympic stadium where Jesse Owens claimed his fame, that's a gimme.

  Despite the fervent coaxing of a few friends I got no takers and a few semi-believable excuses for not joining in. Oh sure, 24 hours notice is plenty of time to prepare :) Fine, read on and see what you missed.

 It started at 9.30 outside Schloss Charlottenburg:

A quick picture before we got to the start line.

 This was my first try with running since high school so I was there in regular shorts and canvas runners, the usual equipment. I had a knack for running back then and it seems I still do. I had a back pack with the camera, water, chocolate (never leave home with out it), and clothes. A bit more than most to carry but despite this I found it surprisingly easy. I only slowed to a walk when the crowd bottle necked at one corner. When we got to the stadium gate there was a big slow down which was bad as I was really into a good stride. Not speedy but consistent. And then it hit me. I think this is what runners call a runners high, all of a sudden I was full of energy with no room to use it until I cleared that gate. It felt like adrenaline but without any negatives, amazing.

 

  I was amazed that the stadium was in sight after just 20 minutes. I had no idea how long it would take to finish this but it was ending too soon.

The subterranean entrance. We traveled left to right down there with the historic marching grounds and bell tower in the background.

Traveling through the Marathon entrance to the stadium.

Entering historic grounds. at this point no one was running, just walking and taking pictures.

To the left are the people ahead of me and centre and right were those behind.

Still more coming in.

A bell with quite a story. The Nazi symbol is somewhat obscured.

Everyone sat outside the stadium to have breakfast and next to us was this original bell from the 1936 bell tower. Apparently the original tower was blown up after the war and the bell crashed to the ground. Later the tower was rebuilt and a new bell was placed up there. This one was put on display in the 60's with a slight change to remove but not eradicate the political history of its creation.

 So there I was in this stadium where dictators bellowed and athletes lunged and I was ready for another 6km. And I wasn't at the back either, loads of people in front and back of me so I think that's fairly good for a first try with one days notice and 6 hours sleep. I think it was about 35 minutes to do the 6km but it would be much less without the slow downs for traffic :)

  So, to all my Berlin friends, you have one years notice, expect a call in September 2013 for your turn.

  Funny thing is I have another connection to this stadium. Four years ago I was working on a CG model of it for the UEFA Euro 2008 XBox video game and today I ran a lap of it. Didn't see that coming. If this trend follows, I'll be driving like James Bond through Hong Kong or digging up an emperors tomb full of mercury... :)

Day trip to Leipzig

  I went on a day trip to Leipzig with a group of photograph buff's recently. We got there about 12 and wandered around, found a good example of Art Nouveau architecture with a very obvious Japanese influence:

 

Nearby is a gallery mall from about 1900 called Specks Hof

Unfortunately I didn't have much time to check this out and it looks like most of the classic details have been removed. This ceiling section was an exception.

Nikolaikirke with great columns.

The most impressive site is the memorial to Napoleon's defeat at Leipzig, Volkerschlachtdenkmal. It is huge...

I walked from the old city centre and you definitely see it from a long way off.

See the people?

Rather humbling sense of scale and loss when you think of all who died to make this necessary.

With all this stone it feels like the Mines of Moria and here's Gimli.

Walking into the interior crypt of this massive monument felt a bit like a set from an Indiana Jones film or perhaps Dune.

No matter where you go in Europe, somethings always being cleaned.

I expected Salah to poke his head out and quip about the tomb full of "asp's"

If you are only slightly claustrophobic, DON'T climb the spiral staircase.

Great doors in this place.

Almost at the top

  Once at the very top you can't see any of the monument just a great view of the city, a nearby castle and Nuclear power station belching out steam. I forgot to stretch out and hang the camera over the edge to see if I could see these great figures from the top down. Next time.

Andy