A first race on Skates

Bremerhaven half marathon

by Michaela

My first race on skates ever was the half marathon in Bremerhaven, 17th of July 2005. I started with my training at the beginning of the season, nevertheless I was really exited what result I would get.

The first thing that "could" have been wrong was the weather: I was really afraid that it would be raining because I did not want my first race to be a rain race at the coast of Germany! But fortunately it did not rain during the whole race.

The day before the race Merten and I went to Bremerhaven to get our starting papers (numbers etc.). That was really good because we already had a quite good check of the track. On the other hand I got a bit afraid 'cause there were some really nasty points and I was already preparing myself for falling...

The next day, right before the start, I was sooooo nervous - I nearly started crying. But nevertheless the start was ok. Due to small cobbles I did not dare to start at full speed. Additionally the first corner was evil: a really narrow 90° right-turn with a small monument on the left side. I was happy I had my heel brake  

The next kilometres were really hard because I did not find a paceline. As we were very near to the north sea it was really windy. I did not find a right rhythm for my feet and my heart rate was really high. Did not like that! Then I found some guys who were skating in a paceline (the first one I saw) and I put myself in  the back. After some time they became slower and slower and I overtook them.

Some other men of the paceline followed me and we skated some time together. But after some minutes they started to get really fast and I could not keep pace. This was the first time I was really annoyed... I struggled up the hills and found another paceline which I followed to the 180° left-turn after 6km. This was the time I became afraid...really afraid. I was so fast and the turn was so narrow. I was screaming like hell (and these were really bad words). After getting round there my mates of the paceline came up again but I lost them, too, after some time.

After having finished about the half of the race I met two men from Merten's team in Bremen who I knew from former training sessions. I joined these two and then it started to become fun. Stephan was like a lonely warrior who skated in the front and did not want to change. Good for me because I could go fast    Unfortunately I completely lost my sense for the distance and all I can mainly remember is the backside of the guy skating in front of me.

But then I recognised the finishing lane and I started sprinting. I left my two gentlemen behind and overtook another skater. Then I heard Merten shouting from the right side and my feet became even more faster. I heard that the race-speaker say something but I do not remember what.

Well I am happy to be through (my right foot hurting by that time due to a blister).

What I learned for me during this race: don't get to nervous if the start is not too good, there are always people whom you can join. A road check in advance is good, but walking it made me feel really strange. I was thinking the track over and over again in my head. The next day on skates I did not care about a little bit of bad surface or a hill (maybe due to the adrenaline...). I did not even care about the cobbles on the Start-Finish line, I was even sprinting on them. The spectators can really give you a push.

I really liked the race and I am really happy with my result (6th of the women, 3rd in my age category). Nevertheless I am a little bit sad because I hoped to get the 50 minutes, but I will try next time...without so much wind

I am curious how I will perform during my first full marathon at Hannover (11.09.) I am really looking forward to it.

Michi

Mike writes:

Both Michi and Merten are members of LondonSkaters Speed Team, and we're proud that they're a part of us.  We're hoping that when you see how much fun we have skating in events like these, that you'll join the team too.  The team is composed of ordinary people and isn't performance focused.  Instead we're more about the social and fun aspects, improving everybody's' skating, and want you to join no matter how good or how badly you think you skate.

Michi did superbly in the Hannover marathon, with a time of 1:38:55 and 64th out of 305 finishers, 12th in her age group.  That's an incredible first marathon time.

Michi in Berlin: 1:30:15, 351st overall, 102nd in her age group.  Watch out Merten, she's out to get you!

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