Welcome to Weekly Wrap 30!  I am finally back from Berlin!  My access to Wifi was limited since I had no data plan, and it has been quite a while since I’ve posted (peep the last post from my birthday two weeks ago).  I’m looking forward to getting back into my regular routine.  Linking up with Holly and Wendy for this Weekly Wrap!

Man, what a whirlwind. One week ago, I ran the Berlin Marathon. Three months ago when I got injured and had to take all that time off to rehab I did NOT think Berlin would be in the cards for me this year.   But I did it, I actually finished it, all pain-free.

Well, I should say, pain-free with regards to my hamstring and adductor injury. There was a whole lot of pain during the back end of the race considering it was the longest I had run on road since the Tokyo marathon in 2017. Yes, I’ve done 50ks and 50 milers since then but that is a different kind of hurt.

It took me three days to be able to walk down stairs normally and to be able to sit on a toilet without having to use my hands to sit down.  Yes, all you runners out there know exactly what I’m talking about.

While there is SO much I want to say about the race and my time in Berlin and Amsterdam, there’s almost too much to say. And, since I’ve been gone for two weeks, I have a pile of work.  If I don’t hit publish soon, this will never get posted.  Where do I start?

 

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JOURNEY If you would have asked me in May how I thought the training season for the @berlinmarathon would go, I would have mapped out a “return to speed” program, switching from ultra marathon training back to road racing in pursuit of a low 3hr time // If you would have asked me in July how I thought this marathon would go, I would have said I wouldn’t be able to do it. A hamstring injury struck, my first running injury ever, and required over a month of no running. When I could start to run again, it was just a mile or two at a time, eventually completing one 10mi run in September as my first double digit run in three months and last long run before Berlin // So while the actual training cycle looked nothing like the path I envisioned, it was a journey I am proud of. I learned more about the power of community, gratitude and mental strength. Of just showing up for others even when your own running isn’t showing up for you. The result was becoming a more well-rounded runner and coach, which is more important than any medal or finishing time. The journey teaches us more about ourselves and about life than any single outcome can // So when one path ends, you may think the journey has finished. You may cry and stress and not know what to do. But, like any good trail run, if you just take a moment to look around, you’ll soon find another path. It might be half hidden, not as smooth, and with many sharp turns, but the journey continues nonetheless. Onward we go 💚🏃🏻‍♀️ #berlin42 #berlinmarathon #trustthejourney

A post shared by Becca Menke: MEd|Blogger|Coach (@rabbitfoodruns) on Sep 17, 2018 at 1:41am PDT

How do I make you readers feel that dread I experienced when I arrived at O’Hare only one hour before my flight was to depart and they told me I was too late to board?

(Spoiler alert: I cried and they let me check in, escorting me through security so I could make it to the gate on time. PHEW)

How can I put into words that feeling I got around mile 4 when realized, “Hey, my leg is actually moving like normal and I am actually running the streets of Berlin” and I started giggling?

Should I write about when my athlete passed me around mile 16 and said “I am considering DNFing” and I simply responded, “No you’re not” in the most matter-of-fact tone? (Guys, I know, nominate me for coach of the year).

 

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A post shared by Liz Upward (@looloochichi) on Sep 16, 2018 at 7:10am PDT

Is there a way to describe that pull I felt when I stepped off the train in Amsterdam and knew instantly that I was in love with the city?  It was like I didn’t realize I was homesick for the city until I spent time there and saw what I was missing.

Or what about the absolute fascination I experienced on the bus there as I watched a native Dutch speaker and a native Spanish speaker communicate in English, both of their respective second languages? (I have SUCH a language mind, I totally nerded out).

Basically, the trip was amazing and so much more than I expected. Although I am back from Berlin, I am not ready to go back to work tomorrow.  Two weeks away was a luxury I don’t want to give up yet! I will recap it all more in detail later.  For now know it was a confidence boost that I am out of the rehab woods.  Overall a wonderful travel experience.

I wish I had the time to say more. Check out some of my Instagram posts for more about the trip.  I also wish I had the ability to travel more. Only London remains in my World Majors pursuit! Hopefully I get into the lottery but if not, I have a backup plan.  Amsterdam has a marathon 🙂

How was your week?  Have you ever fallen in love with a city?  Let’s stay in touch!  Follow me on Instagram or Facebook for more food/fitness related posts.  

Happy running,

Becca