I spent my Christmas holiday over in Deutschland, home of Adidas shoes, delicious baked breads, and dark beer. On New Year’s Eve, I was not where you might have expected. I was not cozy and warm at my German host’s house, nor was I embracing a New Year at a cheery Brauhaus. Instead, I was out running. It was the Kolner Silvester Lauf 10k race (Silvester means New Year’s Eve). I was still recovering from jetlag (Germany is six hours ahead of Tennessee time) and some sinus troubles, but I decided that I wanted to embrace the German running culture to the fullest. So, I paid my 20 euros for the sub-50 minute 10k race. There were four different race options: a 5k if you thought you were faster than 22 minutes; a separate 5k for those who expected slower than a 22 minute finishing time (i.e. those who wanted to have fun and enjoy their run); a 10k for the sub-50 minute runners; and a 10k for those who expected to take longer. The races were all run separately and did not begin until the previous race had finished.

I started near the back of the over 100 person lineup for the sub-50 minute 10k (I was far behind my girlfriend, Celine, who was also running). The gun fired, and I took off at a fast but manageable pace, bearing a big smile for all those taking photos on the sidelines. The course started on a track, took off into a park and then returned to the track and looped back to the park, three times. The first loop felt great, the second loop, after I hit a 5k distance started to hurt and I could feel my achy body demanding I slow down. As I began the third lap I saw the winner, almost lapping me, run through the finish at 30 minutes. I slowed down on the final lap until I was overcome by a side cramp and had to walk for a couple minutes. I was 2 km out at 43 minutes, so I geared up and braced against the pain to run out and finish at 47 minutes. Upon crossing the finish line, pylons immediately directed me into a single file line of sweaty steaming finishers. I was pale with pain from my cramp, breathing heavily, and desperately awaiting the water cup table. Expecting to quench my thirst with no more than some tap water, I was surprised to find opaque liquid in my cup. I quickly took a big gulp and almost gagged on the hot semi-sweet tea I had just swallowed. Suffering physically from the run and now mentally from the shock of drinking a hot, almost bitter tea, I followed the line of people to a food truck trailer, where I received a big, soft, warm and sugary pretzel. This was a delightful surprise after my tea, but still utterly disappointing when I realized the breadiness increased my thirst and that there was no water to be found at this track. Luckily Celine (who placed 1st for the women) spared me some water from her bottle.

I had survived the New Year’s Eve race. It was more than worth the experience, however, I still remain flustered by the remembrance of having tea and pretzels after racing. I wonder if there is something to be learned from this… maybe Terra should start giving out hot tea at races… I don’t know, but next time I will bring my own water and bananas to a German race.

A New Year's Eve running adventure