So, finally I'm lying flat on a couch in the lobby of the 25Hours Bikini Hotel in Berlin. I'm here for two days with Nike for presentations of the latest gym shoes, winter outfits and other gadgets. Nike But don't think that Nike is going to let you sit around watching and listening. No, there has to be hard training. In all the new gear of course, that’s for sure.
The hotel
It's my first time in Berlin, so I'm wide-eyed and I seriously find everything amazing. The hotel is large, the theme is jungle and overlooks a big zoo. The windows go from floor to ceiling, in the elevator you hear animal sounds, the showerhead and faucets are black, all products are ecological, the staff is very young, wearing trendy sneakers and throughout the hotel there are hammocks where you can take a nap.
I wasn't done yet, because on the 10the floor is the Monkeybar, where sehr schöne barmannen work and on the 8st you can enjoy the jungle sauna with a view over Berlin. The rooms are super comfy, bright, have high beds, white linen and a nice walk-in shower. I immediately my iPhone plopped down in a sound box and flopped onto the bed. Wonderful here. Already.
Nike time
I had neatly packed my nicest Nike pairs in my suitcase, but upon arriving in the hotel room there was a whole new outfit waiting. No problem of course, you understand that. It was already evening and there was a run planned at a secret location. The only thing we knew was that it would be a competition and that it would be “epic”.
Okay, I was a little bit nervous. I train a lot, but way too little on time, speed and endurance. I put on my suit (which glowed in the dark) and the new NikeZoom structure 18 shoes, specially for outdoor runs. Zoom, that’s what it’s all about these days. Zoom are the air cushions in the sole that give you a little push up when you push off, making you go faster. And indeed, it feels like you’re flying over the ground.
There we go
We were taken by buses to Berlin Tempelhof: a huge old airport that is still completely intact, but no longer in use. Everything was dark, only through laser beams and our glowing suits could you see where to walk.
We took our seats on small poufs and the collection was displayed on the baggage carousel. After a brief explanation about the new Nike winter collection, given by way too cool people, we were led outside.
This is the sh*t
We had an entire airport to ourselves. It was still pitch dark, but with lights on the ground a course was set up. It was all immensely large, you saw a big airplane (for the show), Nike trainers were waiting for us and you could hear a good thump coming from a DJ booth. Okay, let the games begin. We were divided into groups (I was with Annette Lavrijsen, Editor in chief Women’s Health Netherlands) and for our trainer I was happy to step it up a notch (wunderschön).
I had to sprint 60 meters across the runway and at the end high five someone from my team who then sprinted back. Believe me, I flew over the runway with those shoes. You feel that there’s a kind of mini trampoline in the sole that makes you go just a little bit faster. We also won the challenge, maybe not because of my performance, but we had quite a few tall athletes in our team. Yes!
Sleep well Berlin
Exhausted in the hotel room, I quickly changed for dinner. Everyone was wearing sneakers and there were even people in sports bras with a net jacket over it. That’s fine. We ate at restaurant The Grand. Everything went down effortlessly, but it should after such a workout. With a glass of glühwein, I ended the evening to go to bed early for a winter workout the next day. More about that tomorrow. And then I’ll share some nice Berlin addresses with you. Because: even though I’m here to work out, my foodie nose goes everywhere with me.
