Berlin Half Marathon

From “Meh” to Magic

I’ll be honest, Berlin as a city wasn’t high on my list. It wasn’t the race itself. Being part of the SuperHalfs series, the Berlin Half Marathon was always one I was going to do. I’ve already ticked off the Lisbon Half Marathon, with Cardiff and Copenhagen lined up later this year, and I’ve got my eyes firmly set on earning that amazing SuperHalfs medal.

But Berlin? I had no real expectations.  After experiencing pretty grim weather in Lisbon and coming frustratingly close to my sub-2 goal, I think I subconsciously kept my expectations low. It felt easier not to get too excited than risk another disappointment.

The Training Behind It

What made this race different to all of my others, though, was the training going into it.  This was probably the most consistent I’ve ever been:

* 6 days a week

* Easy runs, intervals on Tuesdays, tempos on Thursdays

* And a lot of miles logged at 4:30am

Many of those weekday runs were solo. Turns out there aren’t many people keen to head out consistently at that time of the morning (strange, I know). But it was the only way to make it work around a full-time job.

Getting up at 4am? Fine.

Staying awake at work afterwards? Much more questionable.

Alongside the training, I’d also made big changes outside of running such as cutting back on my food intake and losing over 30lbs. Everything felt aligned, and I knew I’d put myself in the best possible position to go after that sub-2 half.

Coming Into the Race: Doubt After Lisbon

Three weeks earlier, I’d run the Lisbon Half Marathon and come painfully close to my sub-2 goal… missing it by less than two minutes.

And if I’m honest, I was gutted.  Not because I hadn’t trained hard enough, but because the course just didn’t let me run. Bottlenecks, crowds, people stopping to film the views… it felt more like a sightseeing tour than a race at times.

Berlin, though? Berlin gave me my chance back.

The Expo (and My Empty Wallet)

The expo was held at Templehof Airport, which in itself is fascinating. There’s so much history there, and it added something extra to the whole experience.

They’re very strict with ID checks and a wristband that stays on until race day and the process is very effective and efficient.

There was a dangerous amount of Berlin merchandise… and yes, I “accidentally” spent a small fortune. Standard.

Top tip: the Garmin stand will charge your watch if you forget your charger. Lifesavers!

Race Morning: Chaos (Mostly Self-Inflicted)

Somehow, still not entirely sure how, I ended up in Wave G.

Yes. The last wave. Of all the waves.

Naturally, I made the excellent decision to try and sneak into an earlier pen. I thought I’d got away with it… until I felt someone grab my arm and physically hoick me out.

Fair play - she was only doing her job. It did give us something to giggle about while I waited an extra 50 minutes for my actual start.  Lesson learned…(maybe).

The Race: Fast, Flat… and a Bit Too Fast at First

I started right at the front of the wave, with a huge gap ahead… which of course meant I did what every runner knows not to do:

I set off way too fast.

Saw my husband before the first mile, tried to look composed for photos (Oscar-worthy performance), and then had a quiet word with myself to calm it down before it all went wrong.

Did I listen early enough? No.

By mile 2, I had stitch creeping into my shoulder and all I could think about was something I’d read from David Goggins:

“Find the pain… run through the pain.”

At that point I was thinking: “I’ve found the pain… just not sure when I’m getting through it?!”

Thankfully, by mile 3 things settled, and I found my rhythm again.

Running It Together

My friend Bec ran with me, under very clear instructions:

• Don’t bombard me with stats

• Don’t be regimented

• Just tell me if I’m running to slow

I’m probably the least competitive runner you’ll ever meet - numbers don’t motivate me in the moment. Encouragement does.

She was absolutely brilliant. Kept me positive, and willingly gave up her own race to support mine.  I am very appreciative.

We crossed the line together in 1:57:19, the exact same time, down to the second. That’s something to remember.

Support Crew (and Scooter Tactics…)

My husband popped up at multiple points around the course, which was amazing.

What I appreciated slightly less was him cruising alongside us on a hired electric scooter, casually chatting to Bec while I felt like I was hanging on for dear life.

Moral support? Yes. Necessary commentary mid-suffering? Debatable.

The Course Itself

The Berlin Half Marathon course is everything people say it is:

• Flat

• Fast

• Wide roads the whole way

After Lisbon, it felt like freedom. No bottlenecks, no weaving, just space to run your race.  I am known for my dislike of uneven surfaces on runs and there was a very short cobbled section (which no one warned me about!), but it didn’t really affect pace.

Running through landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate was pretty special too.  It was one of those moments where you realise how lucky you are to be doing this.  You also realise that you are less than 100 meters from the finish line, bonus!

Only One Small Downside

If I had to pick something it would be the water stations.  Cups, not bottles.

By the time I’d moved out of the crowd enough to drink, most of it had gone down my arm instead and there was nothing left in the cup. It wasn’t a huge issue in the cool conditions, but on a hot day or over a marathon distance, it might be a different story.

The Finish Line (and the Important Stuff After!)

There’s always that moment when you cross the finish line where everything just… stops.

After focusing so hard for 13.1 miles, it’s like your brain suddenly goes quiet. Relief, pride, a bit of disbelief, and in my case, checking my watch a few hundred times just to make sure it was real.

The finish area at the Berlin Half Marathon was really well organised and, importantly, easy to move through. It was so wide that we could actually stop, take a few photos, and soak it all in without feeling like we were being rushed along which makes such a difference after a big effort.

Then it hit me – I was actually a few minutes under 2 hours.  Finally! (01:57:19)

After Lisbon, after the early mornings, after all the training I knew I’d given it everything and couldn’t have done any more. That feeling of knowing you’ve truly earned it is hard to beat. I was genuinely so pleased with the result.

When you sign up, you choose between bag drop or a poncho and I went for the poncho. Absolutely the right decision.  Collection was quick and easy, no faffing about, and it was perfect for keeping warm while we made our way back to the hotel… with a slight detour for a cheeky post-race drink (well earned, obviously).

And then arguably, one of the most important parts, the medal.  It did not disappoint.

A really good size, solid, and actually feels like something you’ve earned. Because let’s be honest, there is nothing worse than running 13.1 miles and being handed something that looks like it came out of a Christmas cracker.  This one? Definitely a keeper.

Final Thoughts: A Complete Turnaround

Berlin completely changed my expectations.

What I thought would be “just another race” turned into one of my favourite running experiences:

• A city I didn’t expect to love

• A course that let me actually race

• A goal finally achieved

Berlin completely changed my perspective, not just on the race, but on what I’m capable of. That sub-2 had been sitting there for a while, just out of reach. Lisbon showed me I was close… but Berlin proved I could actually do it. And more importantly, that all those early mornings, solo runs, and sacrifices were worth it.

What’s Next?

Now the focus shifts to what’s next in the SuperHalfs journey.  The goal? Keep building, keep improving, and eventually earn that SuperHalfs medal.

But more than that - it’s about continuing to enjoy the process. The training, the races, the people you meet along the way… and the moments that remind you why you started in the first place.

Berlin might have started as a “meh”… but it’s ended up being a bit of a turning point for me.

If you’re chasing a PB, or just want a race that delivers on every level, Berlin should absolutely be on your list.