2012 Berlin Marathon Preparation List
- general tips for races:  
    - bring extra safety pins  
    - if bib is paper, put scotch tap on holes so they don't tear  
    - bring a lot of Kopftücher  
    - if a cold day, bring large garbage bags to wear at the start to stay warm      
    - gels, preferably with water added to them  
    - watches to time yourself  
 
This will be my 11th Berlin Marathon and I've developed the following checklist over the years. Especially if this is your first Berlin Marathon, I hope this list helps you stay relaxed and remember all the little details so that you can concentrate on your performance during the race. Good luck!  
 
Pre-Marathon Week:  
        - meals: "noodles on every plate"  
        - get full night sleep every night  
 
Friday, September 28:  
        - take:  
                - time chip  
                - e-mail confirmation (you have to show at gate to get it)  
        - Berlin Vital Messe:  
                - pick up starter packet with number  
                - pick up those pre/post-race plastic coverings if they have them  
                - have your time chip scanned and confirmed  
        - store, buy victory pack:  
                - 2x sports bar for race  
                - ritter chocolate bar  
                - carton of tea  
                - gummibears  
                - bottle of victory beer (plastic if possible, from ALDI/LIDL)  
                - batteries for mp3 player  
        - second hand store:  
                - cheap warm sweater you can wear then throw out at start  
                        - (will go to some needy cause)  
        - apotheke:  
                - super large "patch bandaids" Hansaplast Elastic  
                - assorted bandaids (for after race)  
                - chapping ointment, e.g. "Bepanthen" (for after race)  
                - tissues, wet wipes  
 
Saturday, September 29:  
    - write emergency contact info on back of bib number  
    - fill mp3 player with free, hour-long Jason Jollin DJ-sets  
    - print out exact bus/u-bahn/s-bahn times  
        - remember: buses come every 20 minutes Sunday morning  
        - plan to leave at 7:00 AM  
    - sign up to receive SMS of your official half and finish times  
        - plus those of top runners, e.g. Geoffrey Kipsang from Kenya and Geoggrey Mutai, both from Kenya  
        - add any other runners you know in the race  
    - tell any spectators what what you will be wearing  
        - best is to wear some distincly colored head gear, easiest to see  
        - when you calculate times, realize that:  
            - marathon starts only for top runners at 9:00  
            - runners in G block cross as late as 9:20  
            - runnres in H block can start as late as 9:50  
    - pack victory bag  
        - ritter chocolate bar  
        - carton of tea  
        - gummibears  
        - bottle of beer  
            - best to get a plastic bottle from ALDI, but if glass then wrap in towel  
                - they may throw/bang your bag in storage  
    - pack after-race shower bag:  
        - small shampoo  
        - small towel  
        - flip flops (it can get messy in the communal shower!)  
    - pack after-race med bag:  
        - skin lotion  
        - extra bandaids  
        - wet wipes  
        - tissues  
    - pack full change of clothes bag  
        - you will appreciate a full change of clothes       
            - as often your shoes/socks will be drenched or bloody  
        - shoes  
        - socks  
        - underwear  
        - jeans  
        - shirt  
        - sweater (if afternoon will be cold)  
    - put out clothes to wear tomorrow  
        - running socks  
        - running shoes (with chip)  
        - running pants that don't rub, remember: rubbing + 4 hours = bleeding  
        - running shirt  
        - neck rag, head rag  
        - if will be cold/raining: warm donatable sweater to throw off at start  
        - body bag (wear during race)  
            - digital watch  
            - 2x sports bar for during race  
                - Berlin marathon food-stops have  
                    - apples  
                    - bananas  
                    - tea, what, gatorade  
                - I eat three power bars or gels at 10K, 20K and 30K  
            - money  
            - keys  
            - mp3 player (charged)  
            - handkerchief  
            - tissue paper (in case you have to use the port-a-john)  
                - tip: don't take toilet paper, as it disintegrates when sweaty  
            - extra batteries  
    - charge cell phone  
    - set alarm for 6AM  
    - go to bed early  
 
Sunday, September 30:  
    - 6:00 get up  
        - eat breakfast:  
            - normal but light breakfast:  
                coffee, bread, salami, cheese, banana  
        - put charged cell phone in body bag  
        - shower  
        - clip toe nails (feet will take a beating)  
        - bandage nipples very well with large bandaids  
        - apply bandages on any parts of feet or legs that rub:  
            - 4 hours + rubbing = bleeding  
        - get dressed and fully ready  
    - 6:30 get a good book and "spend a half hour in the john"  
        - there are portable toilets at the marathon but  
            - there are also 40,000 runners and long lines  
    - 7:00 leave house  
    - 7:45 be at Hauptbahnhof  
        - go find place to store you bag  
    - 8:00 get to starting block  
    - 8:20 be where you want to be in the starting block  
        - with 40,000 runners you can't move around after this  
        - if you are running for time  
            - get as far to the front of your block  
                - Berlin Marathon is a crowded marathon  
    - 9:00 official start  
    - 9:20 - 9:50 blocks G and H cross the starting line  
      
    - have an awesome race! ;-)