Europe vs. Australia. 7 things they do better in marathons (Hint: one is free beer!)

7 things Australian event organizers could learn from the Europeans...

I've just experienced my first ever European running event, the Swiss City Marathon in the beautiful city of Lucerne, Switzerland. Here's 7 things that were great that we don't do in Australia.   Event organizers please take note!

1.      Teach Australian crowds how to cheer!

We're awesome at the footy and cricket but Aussies have no idea how to cheer for runners - compared to our northern hemisphere friends. In Switzerland "Hopp" means "Go".   And its normally said "Hopp, hopp, hopp!". And its normally LOUD!!

And who would have thought cow bells could be cool!   As well as many fans even the cows in the fields cheered for us!

                                      

The Euro's really know how to make it a party. Please teach the Aussies how to do better than shouting "not far now" when you're passing the 5km mark :( 

2.    Give us these porta loos

3. Drink stations become a 3 course meal !!

Not just water, the Swiss served;

      -    water,

      -   not one but two types of electrolytes,

      -   bananas (cut into bite size pieces!), and the occassional

      -   gels,

      -    carb snack size bars.

4.     More food!

The Pasta Party at the Expo the night before is a fun part of northern-hemisphere races. For the price of a few packs of noodles it brings everyone together and sets a great atmosphere. C'mon Aussies - surely Coles or Woolies can help out here.

5.     Have commentators who call out your name

Maybe being from Australia I was a novelty in the event but having them call out my name (in Swiss I think ??!) because they were watching a screen and reading your details made ​​it exciting for the crowds ... and the runners.   I had very little idea what they said about me (maybe laughing at my funny style?) but I vaguely recognised  my name and "Australeeeeeea" -   and the nice cheer of encouragement from the crowd gave me a boost.

 6. Give us runners real running shirts

Compare the awesome long sleeve Asics top I got with the cheapest crappiest one I got from my last Australian event = no comparison!   I'll proudly wear this Euro one and run many more miles in it.   I'm actually kinda embarrassed with the un-branded cheap promo ones we got in Australia. (It's still in the plastic bag).

7.   Give us beer at the end of the race!

OK so I could not finish it: because I needed electrolyte (which they also gave us in a great drink bottle) but what a great way to celebrate! 

I could go on about the great organization (dare I say "like a Swiss watch") where the start was comfortable and not like WWF;   the wonderful history on the course (even though cobble stones should be renamed 'hobble stones'); and more, but this list is just a few of the things did made ​​this event very special. 

 Merci vilmal (thanks a lot)

RunTourism: A photo tour of Lucerne, Switzerland .... whilst in a Marathon!

RunTourism: 

noun: seeing the city sights whilst part of a running event.

This is 'RunTourism' - with camera in hand!

OK, so 'RunTourism "is not a real word I know, but it is a fun, if not slightly strange concept. You simply turn up, trust the event organizer to arrange the best way to show off the town .. then run through it, camera in hand. 

Here's my Runtourism view of Lucerne, Switzerland through the Swiss City Marathon.

30 hours travel from home and we've arrived in Lucerne!

OK, I know I'm really in Switzerland now.  

It helps when you wake up and outside your window are the Swiss Alps .....

It's a gray, cloudy, quiet Sunday morning in Lucerne.
The swans are the most active things around .... for now.

Pre-start nerves. And check out the urinals on the left ... yep, just stand there in public and let fly !!

Yep, I'm not lying ....... !!

Go!

At this stage I'm thinking the bloke on the motorbike is going to win! 

Oh look, there's Lake Lucerne .... (look the other way, not at the camera!)

.... And there's the 17th century Chapel Bridge ....
(Note the spectators are wearing scarves and beanies!)

Not your average marathon entertainment!

Then its off into the countryside.  

I did not know that 'Oomp-pa-pa' bands could play 'ABBA' tunes!

At this stage I could have been easily convinced to go to the little winery up the hill and sample the local produce instead ....

Always great to watch the fast guys coming back ..... even though you cant help thinking "already!"
(For this event the Half (one lap) and the full marathon (two laps) started out together.)

Back into the 'Old City'. Over bridges and through squares ... that's cool

                          

Spectators look at you funny when you're the one with the camera!

Cobble stones are hard to run on and really pound the feet! 

I have no idea what they were dressed up to be but they made me smile everytime we ran past them

Yay, now its my turn to loop around and start out again as the Half runners head to the finish.

2nd lap. Me thinks there might have been a few more entered in the Half  rather than the Full!

How good are these spectators ..... cow bells, mexican waves and
"Hopp, hopp, hopp" (means "Go, go, go")

How bad are these spectators. OK, you just sit there and drink beer and eat while watching us suffer!

Winner of the "Biggest Cowbell On Course" Award 2014

The famous "1km to go" sign. And as soon as we got to it the guy in front of me (in blue shirt) pulled off and started stretching his hammies on the sign!

Into the Transport Museum for the finish ....

Red carpet! But even a small ramp feels like Mt Everest by this stage .... 

Selfie gone wrong! But chance to plug this great Janji gear I'm wearing. Love it!

                                                  

Made it!

Free beers for runners! Great idea but the last thing I felt like drinking just then. Give me a few minutes guys!

And then the sun came out as the last-runners came home.
Thanks for a memorable weekend Lucerne. 

October, 2014th 

The highs and lows of a healthy lifestyle ...

Dealing with injury disappointment in 5 helpful ways 

Choosing a runners life also means choosing a life of highs and lows.
It's not always about endorphins, finish lines, medals and high fives. Blood, sweat and tears are very, very real.

It starts with a high.

I was super excited when a number of readers of my blog contacted me to tell me that they had been inspired to enter this year's Melbourne Marathon. "Great news", I said and immediately became their number one cheerleader.

However now with only 3 weeks to go before the run I am sharing their disappointment as they have withdrawn due to injuries. "Aaaaaaaagh", I cried,  "It's not fair"! The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Before even reaching the start line.

What to say?    Here's 5 things to remember that are part of the runner's life.

1. WELL DONE FOR MAKING THE COMMITMENT

Just remember that you did much more than those who made excuses, those who said "I could never (or would never) do that", and those who said "why?" You took the first step (pun intended!), the biggest one .... the step of signing up.  You did a lot of training.  You became healthier and happier. Well done!  Regardless of what happened, you are closer to your goal than those still sitting on the couch. 

2. INJURIES HAPPEN .... 

The message came in like this ....

"Hey Macca, How is your training going? Unfortunately I have had to withdraw due to Achilles tendinitis - just a bit shattered. Time to refocus and aim for 2015..."

Another was due to a stress fracture that no matter how much positive thinking was applied just wouldn't go away.

Injuries range from blisters through to knee reconstructions.  They happen. Typically I am always running with some sort of strain, tiredness or ache. As I get more experienced I get better at listening to my body and knowing what the difference is. Sometimes I just suck it up, other times I get it treated. I ask questions, I share, I try and know what's going to be really bad to push through, but I accept these as part of really being a runner.

Us mere mortals get injured .... but so do the very best. My marathon hero, Ryan Hall, had to withdraw from the London Olympic Marathon. Now that's disappointment.  But the best also use it to their advantage, turning these days into motivation for the future.  That's a good mindset to have. 

This is Ryan Hall, he knows about being exultant in winning .....

... and hobbling in disappointment.

3. THERE'LL BE ANOTHER RACE NEXT YEAR

God willing,  next year the Melbourne Marathon will be on again (and it might even finish inside the mighty MCG stadium!)  Better to enjoy it and finish strong rather than be finished protesting "I'll never do that again!"  You have to fall in love with the idea of training and enjoy the multi-month journey, it's not just about the 42.2km on the day.

4. IT'S JUST A RACE .... NOT LIFE AND DEATH

Worse things have happened to other people today. What's more important is to remember that we are only competing against ourselves, and not the pack. Put it into perspective.

HOW CAN YOU HELP OTHERS? 

I've saved the best advice to last.  When you start thinking about others you'll feel less sorry for yourself.  My friend Tim raised over $10,000 for a charity so he could run the famous New York Marathon.  But a cyclone wiped out the event.  Did he stop?  No, he picked himself up and helped out with the relief efforts.  Now that's inspiring.  Then he went back the following year and smashed it!

You've got a lot of time over those many runs and many months, I encourage you to think about who you could help and how.  Put your mind to this and the kilometres will fly by, the weight will fall off and you'll be achieving goals much bigger and more important than claiming that Marathon medal.

Share with me what you think this might be.  I'll be your number one cheerleader!