Mike and Mary at the finish
On 9/30/07, Mike wrote:
In perfect weather conditions – cloudy and mid-fifties – which contributed to an Ethiopean setting a new world record of 2:04:26, Mary and Mike had good races, finishing in 4:34 and 4:43 respectively. The course is flat and winds thru most of the important neighborhoods of Berlin. You basically run in a crowd and are cheered on by a crowd, and frequent bands, the whole way. The cast is very international – the paper said 100 countries were represented. About 10% were women, less than is typical in the US, which is edging toward 50%, at least in west coast races.
Mikey’s misbehaving calf decided it had better behave today and made it the whole way without incident! Mikey wants to know why it couldn’t have done that in August when he was trying to train. This was a classy race from start to finish. The Germans set up a hundred acres of logistics support for the close to 50,000 racers on the parade ground in front of their legislature – the restored Reichstag! There was endless food and drink, even free beer. The reason Mary looks so spiffy in the finish photo is that she got a shower in a tent on the premises! Can you see our Congress trying that on the Mall in DC?
As the runners fold their sore muscles into airplane seats for the journey home, their thoughts will wander to the next Team Ladera great event.