This week is my first week of training for the Berlin Marathon. 18 weeks of gearing up for another World Marathon Major race. It’s exciting!

I’ve already been training a little since my last race in March (after a three week recovery). I’ve added more strength and endurance training into the mix in hopes of becoming a little faster. I feel really good. I’ve tried to run faster sprints and tempo runs. I think I’m just trying to push myself harder than I have been. I’ve been in a comfortable zone for a while, but I think I’m ready to work harder.

I mostly train by myself so I have to constantly stay motivated. I’m pretty good about it, but I may have a day here or there when I get in a funk or just can’t get out the door. It happens to us all.

Within this 18 weeks, I am also running the Giants Half Marathon in San Francisco in August. I figured it would be good timing to have a 13.1 mile race in the middle of my training and to test myself.

I have a goal in mind for the Berlin Marathon – PR or qualify for the Boston Marathon. I’m going to refrain from putting a lot of pressure on myself, but just work harder on my training beforehand and make sure my body feels good.

I’m looking forward to the next 18 weeks. I even have a cool German flag flying on my front porch. I literally almost rode over it on my bike over the weekend, so I picked it up and posted it out front. Maybe it’s a sign of something good to come. Scratch that! I just walked outside to take a picture, and someone stole it! Grrr! Oh well. I’ll keep you posted over the next few months on how training is going. I hope you all have some great races or adventures to look forward to!