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Last days before the 28. real,- BERLIN-MARATHON
Hints from the Medical Team for beginners and pros
2001-09-19
Since a couple of months you prepare for the 30th of september, either for the first time or with a lot of routine. To begin with: To be nervous is quite normal, for "first- timers" as well as for many- time- finishers. Some want to improve and reach a new personal best time, others just want to finish. There are a number of questions: Did I prepare right? Will my power long for 42,195 kilometers?When you hear the startsignal, every thought will be forgotten. Maybe you spoke to friends about the race during the last weeks, read special running magazines or did a test of your fitness level. Now its only: Lets go! You can smell the adrenaline among the runners, everybody looks for his planned way of reaching the personal goal. And we will be at the side of the streets or on our bikes to be there for you , hoping everybody gets to the finishline without major problems.
But what we can tell you before the start to help, you can see below: 9 golden rules for a healthy and succesfull 28. real,- BERLIN-MARATHON
Rule 1
You have a cold, don feel healthy- take your body temperature: Is it higher
than normal? In the morning before you get up test your heart rate: Is it
higher than normal (6-8 beats)? Than go to a doctor to get an examination and
blood sample.
Right now we have a wave of infects - everybody can have it. If your doctor recommends you to stop running, be smart and don start! These are the real winners, even if its hard!
If you feel ill after coming to Berlin, you find the possibility to come to our sports medicine point at the expo where you get your running number: We can make an examination and a blood test within three hours.
Rule 2
Don wear new shoes- You should have worn your racing shoes at least 2 months
before the marathon to prevent yourself from blisters, which forced quite a
number of runners to stop in the marathon.
Rule 3
Running gear etc. : Wear special running shirts and shorts which will provide
perfect regulation of body temperature. Use special running socks that are made
especially for such a situation and which will protect your feet. Use special
grease or ointment like bepanthen at toes, inner side of thighs and armpits and
cover your nipple with plaster for protection.
Rule 4
Eat and drink: The well known carboloading before a marathon is a must for
every runner. Start 8 days before the race to eat more carbohydrates. Don use
special "diets" which are often not scientifically based. No
experiments : Use a preparation you tried a couple of times before. And look
for your water balance: Don loose fluids before a marathon! In the morning
there exist a number of "secret advices": Eat what you are used to
and what you like- but it should be easy to digest - like a roll with honey.
Its to late for vitamine supplementation, which should be taken regularly. Very
important: Don take single concentrated glucose.
The same counts during the race: If you take carbohydrates, than take what you have tested before. Sometimes problems with the stomach force runners to stop! One thing is extremely important: Drink, drink, drink.
On our stage of events at the Sports and Health- Expo we have a number of well- known nutrition experts. They inform you about newest facts and will be glad to answer your questions at our sports medicine point at the expo.
Rule 5
Running speed: Be realistic. Your long runs seldom go beyond 30 kilometers- in
the marathon there are still 12,195 to go. Your metabolism can change rapidly.
To start too fast can end in a desaster. Many runners know the feeling to be
totally "empty" from one second to the next. There is nothing that
can be done in such a situation. Once your reservoirs are empty they stay like
this.
If you run with a heart rate monitor it is important to know your time for 1000 meters. Because before the start your heart rate usually is higher than normal, there can be a number of disorders because other monitors among the thousands of runners and several things in a big city can influence the function of your monitor. So measure your time for 1000 meters at your perfect heart rate during your training to have a help during the marathon.
Run in a steady speed and don sprint. You have to be trained to reach a group running 400 meters in front of you! So this is nothing for beginners!
Rule 6
Problems during the race: If you feel sick, have pain or heart problems don
come to a sudden stop but keep on moving slowly. There are thousands of
spectators in the streets who you can call to get help by calling the First
aid. There are a lot of medical teams along the race course who will be ready
to help. Be reasonable: There are a lot of marathons you can run: To be
responsible for you and your body is much more important than to finish this
race!
If you already have certain diseases please let us know before the race and document them as well as the medicine you might take on the back of your race number. This will help us to treat you right and react fast!
Rule 7
No sprint in the end! This is something for the marathon winner: After 40 k you
aren fresh and there is hardly a chance to improve your finish- time. This is
the point of the biggest danger during a marathon! Even if you see the
finshline and spectators cheer a lot, it is good to see you crossing the line
relaxed and easy with keeping the same speed as during the whole run.
Rule 8
After the finish: Don stop immediatly! Your heart and circulation isn adapted
to this rhythm. Keep on moving slowly and use our services: First aid,
blankets, food and drinks and in the end a relaxing massage. This will provide
a perfect cool- down for your body as well as your soul.
Rule 9
Regeneration: Take a long shower or a bath. Eat a lot of carbohydrates during
the first 2 hours after the run. This helps to regenerate. "You made
it"! But be carefull: Your body and every single body cellstructure needs
at least 6 weeks to come back to the full level of fitness. During this time
you shouldn run long distances or high intensities.
The Medical Team of the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON wishes every participant a personal success.
The healthservice and first aid at the Sports and Health Expo is open for every participant. If you are interested in the events on our stage: have a look at the homepage of the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON where you can see the contents and timetable.
Your
real,- BERLIN-MARATHON Medical Team
For questions:
Jürgen.Lock@berlin-marathon.com
Info@sms-berlin.de
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