Half Marathon as a Dress Rehearsal – Time for the Final Test
Those who practice their fluid intake in advance will face no surprises at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. © SCC EVENTS / Petko Beier
A half marathon about four weeks before the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is the perfect dress rehearsal: test your fitness, pace, nutrition, shoes and race-day routines under realistic conditions. This way, you’ll arrive at the start line well-prepared and with fresh confidence.
Why a Half Marathon Makes Sense Now
A 21.1 km race offers many benefits:
- Fitness check: Racing conditions quickly reveal whether your training is paying off – and where you still have reserves or weaknesses.
- Test your pace: A half marathon helps you evaluate your planned marathon pace – and adjust it if necessary.
- Practice your fueling: Trying out drinks, gels, or bars at race pace shows you what your stomach tolerates well. You can also test how to take them under race conditions – because getting water or gel down while running fast is very different from doing so on an easy run. You can even rehearse your race-day breakfast – so you know what gives you energy and what might sit heavily in your stomach.
- Check your gear:Shoes, clothing and equipment are best tested under real race conditions. Blisters, chafing, clothing that’s too warm, or socks that don’t fit – these often don’t show up clearly in training but can become major issues in a race. Better to discover them now than on marathon day.
- Practice race-day routines: From the preparation the day before to waking up, having breakfast and warming up – the more familiar your routines are, the calmer you’ll feel when it matters most at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.
Well Timed – Four Weeks Out
The timing is intentional: running a half marathon about four weeks before your marathon gives you a valuable performance check without disrupting your training curve. With enough recovery afterward, you’ll be ready to enter the final training and tapering phase strong. Many runners use the dress rehearsal “Die Generalprobe” on August 24 as their test race. It’s the perfect opportunity to run a half marathon under realistic race conditions – right in the heart of Berlin and with marathon atmosphere.
A half marathon race like "die Generalprobe" is a perfect fitness check for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. © SCC EVENTS / Petko Beier
Build Mental Strength
Completing a half marathon successfully boosts confidence and motivation for the final weeks of training. Conquering the distance in a race leaves you with a clear mind and strengthened self-belief when you step onto the start line of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.
Tips for Your Dress Rehearsal
- Don’t run the half marathon “all out” – use it purposefully as a test.
- Plan recovery days afterward.
- Record your experiences with pace, nutrition, and gear – they’ll be invaluable on marathon day.
Conclusion
The half marathon is your dress rehearsal: it shows you where you stand and gives you the confidence to line up in Berlin fully prepared. Take advantage of this opportunity – either on August 24 at Die Generalprobe in Berlin or on your own as a dedicated training run. Then, on September 21, you’ll be ready for the 42.195 kilometers!
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