The road to Berlin

It's all about the journey

As I sit here, it's only 3 more days till I toe the starting line of the 2019 Berlin Marathon and it's probably the most excited I've ever been about a race (I probably said the same thing last year at some other race but hey, it adds to the story, right?).

It's also the most intense training programme I've done to-date without a doubt. I remember talking to my good friend and coach Daniel Trejo back in May about it (he wasn't my coach at the time) thinking I would ease myself into it by ramping up the mileage between May and July and be ready to start training properly after my holidays. Well, that didn't happen...
Instead, I was sent a high intensity programme that started like, the day after. In time, I must admit it got easier to manage despite of the high demands in terms of time and quality sessions plus peripheral conditioning needed to survive without injuries. Here we are talking about weights, core exercises, yoga, skipping (which I had never done and had to learn how to do it. Thanks Daniel! New skills added en-route).
Along the journey I also broke down a few times and had to deal with rest, painful physiotherapy sessions and re-habilitation while trying to stay on top of my training routine. I had moments of doubt. I think every athlete has them and that doesn't make us any less effective unless we let them stew inside us. That's where the next level of preparation for the challenge comes into play: you have to believe in your training, believe in the work you've done, believe you will deliver the results at the end of the day.
As I sit here writing, I know this is the fittest I've ever been. I believe 100% this is the best training programme I've ever done. And I seriously believe I've given myself the best chance to succeed. Now it's just a matter of executing.

Ich bin ein marathonlaufer!

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