Berlin Marathon - 3.09:39

Day 4 - Sunday 29th September. - Well what an amazing day that turned out to be. And one word probably wraps it all up for me ...........FINISHER.
With the more reasonable 8.45am start time to the race it gave me and the team plenty of time first up to sort our gear out and enjoy breakie in the hotel before making the 2k walk over to the start area, Very cold first up but conditions were ideal for running, Had the customary group photo beside the Brandenburg Gate when one Jimmy James (or L.T.O - Less Talented One as he is known in the Highnam household) gives out a loud 'hey Timmy how's it going ' shout out to me.
Alongside Enda, Charlie, C.T, Reno, Barts and J-Fen we made our way into Zone A for the start and couldn't believe we were basically on the front row. With no training due to the injury over the past 4 weeks or so i had a thousand things running through my head as how i was going to get through this or more importantly as what stage kilometre could i even get.
The gun sounds and we were off, fantastic sight and the crowd were unreal, settled nicely and was moving well sitting around the 4.10 mark. Went through the 5k mark in around 20.20 ( will post all my 5k splits later) feeling good but knew there was no way possibly that i was ever going to hold that. 10k come and went and still running holding pace, as did 15 - started to feel the pinch a little around 18-20 mark and at 21 had to make the tough decision to run on or call it quits for the day?
Well this little bunny from Stoke is many things but Quiting isn't one of them so another 21ks it was to be, saw James (Dr Skins) come by at the 22k mark looking good, and then my room mate Robbie 'Elvis the Taxi Man Costello fly by at the 24k mark. Give him some words of encouragement as he runs on only to find some 50 metres up the road he stops and starts looking for Berlins equivalent of Combined and Silver Service Taxis  and the first of many walks were to take place for the Irish lad.
I was struggling at this point and Rob was keeping me company for a couple of ks, Couldn't believe it then at the 32k mark i was to see Champagne Charlie also walking at the side of the road(who up to 24k was running with Enda at 3.50 pace). I stopped for a quick chat here myself with the famed party boy and told him to run the last 10ks with me - Unfortunately his running was done for the day and could only walk home the rest of the way getting there in 3.54
At about 36 ks even putting one front in front of the other was a struggle, tried to convince myself at 38k i was home with only 4k to go basically one lap of Centennial Park that i do all the time - although it didn't help as i saw Greta Truscott also go by looking strong in her debut race.
At 40ks you seem to come of any main roads and run through back streets twisting and turning every 50 mtres. With each turn i took i thought this has to be t he last one before it opens up and i see the Brandenburg Gate and the nearby finishing chute. But oh no this was torture it seemed to go for ever the last 2ks and i was never more relieved then the ' big Piece of Concrete appeared.With the crowds going ballistic i tried (without success) to lift it for the final 200m and was delighted to have completed another marathon in 3,09:39
Although on paper not a great time i am thrilled with it with as at one point i couldn't even see myself on the start line. It's amazing some of the things you thing off and what goes through your mind whilst running for 3 hours - many times throughout i could have easily pulled the pin and called it a day but was stoked that the body held up and that i was able to run the Brandenburg Gates to cross the finishers line.
Some great results from the team for the day with about 8 PBs set (and a NEW world record to chuck in ), Hard to single any specific effort out to be honest as they all worked hard but was delighted for my old mate Enda Stankard who stormed his way around with a 2.44 - brilliant effort,
The Timmy Run of the Day though goes to Charlie Warrior Dalziel who also PBed with a stunning 3,03 (i think his previous was 3.15?) again brilliant effort and just reward for the work he's put in over the past 4 months or so (losing 34 kilos helps mind you :)

Cracker of an afternoon followed by all with Litre Beers been consumed and we even found some new mates when the next table of Japanese also took a liking to us. Had the biggest Pork Knuckle EVER seen and one serve could have easily feed a family of 6.
Would tell you more about the evening but sadly i can't remember much else :)

Moving on to Munich on Monday for more party time heading to the Beer Festival that has everyone excited. Time to get those Lederhosens out.
Between us we have some great photos i will have to post once i get back as i can't download here.

Cheers