Run, Run, and Done

A few thoughts on my FIRST Half Marathon experience 🏃🏻‍♂️‍➡️

After yesterday’s big event – the 2025 Berlin Half Marathon – I felt the urgent need to gather my thoughts before the post-run euphoria and adrenaline had a chance to wear off.

Like so many special experiences that leave a lasting impression, I knew it wouldn’t be long before the details began to blur and washed away in the steady current of life. So I gave myself the time and space to recover properly, but also to capture my runner’s high in words before it could fade:

I used to despise long-distance running.

Short sprints or quick bursts were more my thing, and the mere thought of forcing myself to run more than 2-5 kilometers would genuinely put me in a bad mood.

That resistance stemmed partly from my physical disposition, but also from - let's say - a certain inherited bias in my social circle: "Runners are always so bitter... they all look so grim." Nonsense, of course. But somehow, that image got stuck in my head.

So why push myself to do something that felt so obviously and viscerally unpleasant? Maybe it was rebellion - a quiet defiance against my own preconceptions. Maybe it was a deeper longing to prove to myself that I was capable of rewriting that story.

I've now been running, on and off, for over seven years. At first, just occasionally and only short distances. But gradually, the runs grew longer, the effort lighter, and the desire to take my health and physical wellbeing into my own hands began to feed a growing sense of self-belief.

Today, all of that culminated in my first half marathon - right here in Berlin, surrounded by over 40,000 people, from all walks of life, from near and far, young and old, united by a common goal.

That sense of togetherness moved me to tears before the race had even begun. If humanity's drive to create a better future could be distilled into one shared moment of purpose, this would be it. No hesitation, no resistance. We would all move forward together.

Few photo impressions...

It wasn’t just the symbolism of it all that stuck with me. There were many little things adding their own magic:

• I loved spotting other runners in the crowd who moved at a similar pace to mine. Without a word, we kept each other going—step for step. Whether it was conscious or not, that silent solidarity was powerful.

• There were so many beautiful handmade signs and posters lining the route, including dozens of “power-up 🍄 mushrooms” that gave me unexpected boosts of energy and motivation.

• The soundscapes were incredible—varied drum circles, bands, and music stations set up all across the city. Even with my headphones on, their rhythm cut through and added color to the journey.

• The weather couldn’t have been more perfect: crisp 4°C air, a cloudless sky, and bright sunshine that made the whole experience feel radiant and alive.

• And then there were the countless kindred spirits scattered across Berlin—smiling, cheering, excited, high on anticipation. It felt like the whole city was quietly vibrating in sync.

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After three months of dedicated training, completing this race in my hometown— and doing so in a time I can truly be proud of— fills me with immense joy, pride, and gratitude.

I feel lifted.

And I want to leave you with this:

Whatever it is you've been meaning to do, whatever's been sitting quietly in the back of your mind, whatever scares you - it's never too late:

Start. Just start.
And your future self will thank you for it, endlessly!

Much love,
Paul ♥️

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Bonus ⛓️🏃🏻‍♂️🎶

Here’s a little (TIDAL) playlist with all of the tracks that kept me going during the run: Berlin Half Marathon 2025 Playlist

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