Running in Reykjavik was windy. Doing hills on the roof of the Opera House in Oslo was cool. Running along the canals and parks in Stockholm was like a dream. Running in the center of Warsaw was conspicuous. What about running in Berlin, the last stop on our European tour this summer? I was about to find out soon enough. Our hotel was just a couple of blocks from Tiergarten; a big green spot in the middle of the city map. This was supposed to be a short recovery run after high mileage week back in Poland. After 30 minutes of running in the park where I passed many runners also in training, I reached the Victory Column and was about to head back to the hotel. However, I could not resist running for a little bit longer to drop by the Brandenburger Tor that was clearly visible from where I was. This extra mile was worth it. The site impressed me on my last visit back in 2004 and did not disappoint this time either. 
And when I was about to turn around I thought that maybe it was a good opportunity to see Unter der Linden with beautiful museums, government buildings, embassies, and coffee shops on both sides. This wide boulevard had a soft gravel path in the middle that was so tempting. After running for 45 minutes one way it was time to go back, but could I be so close and not drop by the Alexanderplaz? Not a chance. Few more minutes and I reached the base of the Fernsehturm, the television tower. Standing 365-meter tall this structure has been a symbol of East Berlin since it was constructed in 1969 by the former DDR. It was 8:00 in the morning. Time to head back to the hotel, wake up Robert and go for complimentary breakfast before the restaurant downstairs closes at ten. Running back I could sense the excitement and anticipation of running Berlin Marathon in this great European city next year.
Run Strong!
RPB
