Berlin läuft

It’s that streak thing. I have completed a Strava activity in every city we have been to so far. Today was our last day in Berlin so it was now or never, I woke before dawn and looked out into the darkness - maybe it is not raining?

An hour later past astronomical and nautical but before civil twilight I could see it was raining. Undeterred and spurred on by Andy, who was dressed and ready to head out on a 20km run to Brandenburg Gate - he is amazing, if that were me I would be carrying water, food, I would have to know where the toilets are on the route. Andy heads off into the pre dawn light with his Garmin.

I am warm and the rain is more a drizzle, I know I am going to run 5km but I don’t know where - part of me wants to run where I know there will be people around so I think I will set off towards the town but - of course - I change my mind and make my way to the Olympic Stadium - I want to to see it again - I run along tree lined streets, people walking to the railway station to start work, past the stadium it’s lights still and into the Olympic Park.

My aim i realised as I was running was to find the tennis courts so I followed the signs - not a difficult task - tennis is the same spelling in English and German. Go straight, turn left and as I’m running a gate to my left is open and the royal blue of the running track catches my eye. The Olympic running track colours were changed from red to blue reflecting the colours of Hertha BSC.

So I enter the track area and see in the distance someone warming up on the track - it is too tempting - I make my way to lane 5 and start running, two laps of the track it feels great and even though I’m into inside the stadium it’s feels special to be running on an Olympic running track. I didn’t break any world records or get a PB but it was definitely fun!