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! ;-)