Saturday Berlin

I can see sun dappled streets from the car driving into Berlin. It seems to be perfect marathon weather.

I reached the hotel and met my sister, Roshini, exchanging hugs and grins, in the lobby of Hotel Adlon. Everyone here in the hotel seems to be a runner. There is a sea of shorts and singlets as folks go or come back from their shakeout Saturday run. Many are wearing the 5k run medal.

Tomorrow would be her first marathon. I’m proud to pace her. I hope she has a fun time, draws from her training and the energy of the crowds.

At the expo, we went a bit berserk, buying memorabilia, gels and other assortments.

We returned back to a heavy pasta lunch eating at the hotel’s restaurant on the sidewalk terrace overlooking the Bramdenburg Gate. The Inline Skating marathon was well underway and all manner of folks were finishing to claps and cheers. By this time, the sun was high in the sky and it was hot. It was a note for tomorrow.

Later we watched Don’t Look Up with an all-star ensemble cast in her room. I ate way too much room service and we talked, as is obvious, about race strategy, pacing, nutrition, hydration and what not.

Finishing up early, tomorrow is marathon day.