Six more weeks until the Berlin Marathon.  Not that I’m counting down or anything.

Last week I said it was time for me to move through any panic and doubt that I have about my ability to run a marathon and just get on with enjoying the journey.  And one of the things I’ve learned as I’ve been on this running journey is that there is so much more to being a good runner, especially an endurance runner, than just running.

Yes, one of the reasons I love running is that, at its core, it’s simple.  There’s no monthly membership fee, no required fancy gear (note I say required, not desired here), you can just put on shorts, a t-shirt, and a pair of trainers and head out your front door.  We humans were built to run since the era when we were hunters chasing animals around with bows and arrows.  Anyone can do this.

But then as you get into running as a sport, you want to run farther or faster, or both.  And, if you’re like me and not in high school any more, running farther and faster while staying injury free is even more complicated.

For me, this translates into what I call the “Circle of Running.”  In order for me to run through the Brandenburg Gate and across the finish in Berlin, as well as running, my training must include activities that also build strength and flexibility.  I need to make sure I’m feeding my body the right fuel to give me energy and help my muscles recover.  And, I think most importantly, I need to train my brain to be motivated and mentally focused on this challenge.

So, as I countdown to Berlin over the next few weeks, I’ll share details around how I’ve filled in my Circle of Running.  Next week I’ll start by sharing how I’ve built my running foundation and the Ironman athlete who’s been helping me do that.  Stay tuned!

Half way.  Half way to Berlin.

Really, it’s over half way as this week I’ve finished my 9th week of a 16 week training plan. Only seven more weeks to go. Now, a race that seemed so far out in the future it didn’t seem real is truly becoming a reality. Hotels have been booked, plane tickets purchased, and in the past 9 weeks I’ve accumulated enough miles to have run from Oxford to France.

Not surprisingly, it’s been pretty quiet around this space lately. One thing I’ve learned about marathon training over the recent weeks is that it is time-consuming, a big commitment that pushes other things down the to do list. When I’m not running or working or looking after the little man, I just want to go to sleep. Rest up, recover, and start again the next day.

I look back on my training for the half marathon and it feels easy. And I’ve already had moments of panic when I wonder WTF I was thinking when I signed up for this. But when I confess my doubt and panic to Coach Julia, she first says “CHILL OUT”, followed by reassurance that Yes, I can do this.

“I promise you that in a few months, years, you’ll look back and feel slightly nostalgic about the whole preparation – so enjoy!” 

So the next 7 weeks will be all about enjoying the journey.  I mean, I’ve been training for 9 weeks and have not had to run in the rain once.  In England.  Surely this is a positive sign?

And, as an unexpected bonus, marathon training has transformed the way I consume books.  To combat the boredom on long solo runs, I listen to audiobooks and catch up on reading I wouldn’t have time for otherwise.  (Most likely because I would just fall asleep after a few pages.)  Books like the excellent but weighty Shantaram which transports me magically to India through its lyrical prose. Only 30 hours left to listen!  My challenge is to finish it before Berlin.

Bring on Week 10!