Vincent had the opportunity to run one of the fastest marathons in the world: the Berlin Marathon. Thanks to a great RunMotion Coach preparation, he smashed his record on the distance (8 minutes faster than his previous mark). For RunMotion Coach, he looks back on his race which, as you will see, left him with an unforgettable memory.
**How was your Berlin Marathon experience?**
My Berlin Marathon went perfectly. For my 5th marathon, the goal was to break the mythical 3-hour mark, which I achieved by beating my previous record of 3:06, with a time of 2:57:50.
Everything I had planned, and with experience now I realize that everything must be perfectly planned for the marathon, went as expected. And I think that’s the key to this success. In terms of effort management, I stayed within the heart rate range I had set between 85% and 90% of my maximum heart rate for the first 30 kilometers, the sensations were very good but I didn’t accelerate, I told myself that worst case scenario I could accelerate at the end.
And I was right, experience paid off because it turns out I couldn’t accelerate at the end, with very slight hamstring cramps 5km from the finish but I managed to handle them by slightly changing my stride, which shows that managing the intensity to maintain for around 3 hours is crucial, I wouldn’t have wanted to pass the Brandenburg Gate walking. I am also proud of my consistency, passing the first half in 1:29:00 and the second in 1:28:50, a slight negative split but still a negative split.
In terms of nutrition and hydration, I stuck to my plan, a bar before the race, a gel every 6km until the finish, and refueling at every water station in addition to the 750ml of energy drink I had with me. I think all of this allowed me to achieve the perfect race at my level that day.
The [Berlin Marathon course](https://run-motion.com/marathon-de-berlin/) is beautiful, with long straight lines, passages through the beautiful city (by the way it’s a beautiful city), no tight corners, the perfect combination to achieve a great time. And the organization was top-notch, let’s not forget that we are at one of the [6 world marathon majors](https://run-motion.com/6-world-marathon-majors/).
My motivation for this goal was really high, knowing that I saw in the last few weeks that my data was consistent with the time I was aiming for. But on marathon day, anything can happen so I paid attention to all the details mentioned until the end.
I won this magnificent bib and stay in a contest organized by RunMotion Coach, thanks again, and the organization by [Contrastes Running](https://www.contrastes-running.com/) was perfect. Location of the hotel was very good, visit to Berlin on Saturday morning, quiet time in the room in the afternoon, and departure on Sunday in a group.
**An anecdote about your Berlin Marathon?**
If I had an anecdote for this marathon, it would be passing under the legendary Brandenburg Gate, which has immense historical significance for what it represents, and being able to finish the last kilometer of a marathon where you are beating your record by passing under this gate, just thinking about it gives me chills and emotion. And those last meters with other competitors who are probably also achieving their own feats is magnificent, we congratulate each other at the end, French, Australian, German… The marathon has only one language.
**How did you manage the preparation for the Berlin Marathon?**
I started preparing for the Berlin Marathon after taking a week off after my Grand Raid de L’Ultra Marin, which I finished in 146th place in 25:01:21.
My preparation for the Berlin Marathon lasted 11 weeks, with 6 running sessions per week and one cycling session, a plan I followed at 90%.
I felt during this preparation as we approached the goal that the data was good, that progress was there. I had some doubt at the very beginning knowing that I had done a lot of endurance in the year to prepare for my 100km and my 175km ultra, but as soon as I reintroduced speed sessions in the first weeks, the doubts disappeared.
**What motivates you to run?**
What motivates me is the pleasure of running, moving, feeling that I am making progress, pushing myself and reaching goals I have set for myself, in order to try to get closer to my maximum potential at that moment. What also motivates me is to discover different things, for example this year I did on the road the 10km distance, the half marathon, the marathon, the 100km, the 175km ultra, in trail I did from 20 to 80 kilometers, doing different things, distances, and terrains brings an extreme richness.
And being in nature, being with oneself, and forgetting a bit about this world that is moving way too fast for us nowadays. And let’s not forget that we are simply made to run.
**How did you hear about the RunMotion Coach app?**
I found out about the app when I was looking for a simple way to have training sessions to improve, and not to do anything random just by going out without a purpose and without knowing how to structure them.
**What encouraged you to download and try the app?**
At first, I wanted running workouts to help me in my cycling practice and RunMotion Coach had a program « endurance and explosiveness » for another sport. I followed it and I was off. The results were felt right from the start. And then running took more and more precedence. I now use RunMotion Coach all year round and this year, for the first time, I devoted myself entirely to running.
**What do you like most about the app?**
The customization of the training, the ease of scheduling our training weeks, the very intuitive side of the app, and [the export of workouts](https://run-motion.com/exporte-seance-calendrier-google-garmin/) to different GPS watches. And simply the fact that you have your program that you trust and you just go out for a run without a headache following the required sessions, which will help you achieve your initial goal and progress. I also like the possibility now of setting secondary goals in the preparation for the final goal, it builds really well thought out and consistent plans.
**What is your next sporting challenge?**
To finish off the rich year of 2023, the last goal will be the [Marathon de La Rochelle](https://run-motion.com/marathon-de-la-rochelle-serge-vigot/) on 26/11, where I hope to once again break the 3-hour mark and maybe even beat my record again, we’ll see. And for 2024 it will be centered around [L’UTDC Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB](https://alsacegrandest.utmb.world/fr) on 175km and 6500m of elevation gain.
**Congratulations Vincent, you truly deserve this medal! Good luck for your upcoming challenges 💪**