Running and Resilience: Lessons from the Road

Marathons fascinate me for many reasons, including exploring the ‘pain cave’—a point of extreme physical and mental challenge where athletes confront their limits. My trail-running idol, Courtney Dauwalter, describes it as a place she once avoided but now seeks out, saying, “Our minds are so powerful, and changing how we think about it makes a huge difference.”

Training for the races gave me a taste of that. Running through intense mountain trails prepared us both physically and mentally and allowed us to experience the beauty—and harsh reality—of nature firsthand, like seeing a glacier in retreat due to climate change.

The Berlin Marathon was quite an adventure. The race started perfectly—crisp, sunny weather, happy people. It was simply Berlin at its best. I’ve run a few marathons, but the energy from the crowd that Sunday was unbeatable. The first 30 kilometres were pure fun, and then, it was welcome to the pain cave. It’s tough—you question why you’re doing it, hate it, and then a cheer from colleagues or spectators gives you a boost. Those last 5 kilometres were definitely brutal, but that’s the most interesting part—the thoughts that go through your mind during those final kilometres.

Our Swiss adventure started with a cancelled flight, making the journey to the Aletsch run more fun than expected. On race day, a 5:30 am alarm woke us on a rainy, cold Sunday morning. Despite these challenges, we made it to the start line in good shape! Although the race was extremely challenging, we made it to the top in less than 3 hours, proudly representing our school by wearing the ESCP colours.

The morning of the Berlin Marathon, my alarm rang at 6 am—time for pasta! I got dressed and headed out, feeling the adrenaline in the air. At 9:15, the elite runners began, and 15 minutes later, it was my turn. The first few kilometres felt strange, but then I spotted my friend Marine and my brother Max at kilometre 10, which gave me a huge boost. At the halfway mark, I was cheered on by my friends, who were screaming louder than the entire crowd, holding up a sign that said "Go Emma" with cute drawings. I couldn’t help but shed a tear.

The final 6 kilometres felt like forever! Somehow, with the energy and support of my friends cheering me on, I made it to the last turn, and there it was: Brandenburg Gate. Emotions surged in me as Marine and Max shouted at me to give it my all. Just before the finish line, I heard my friends cheering again. It gave me wings—I ran even faster. And then it was done!

What a rollercoaster of emotions! Five months of hard work, all wrapped up in 3 hours and 40 minutes of running. I’m so grateful to everyone who supported me and to my body for letting me experience such unforgettable moments.

Running a marathon has been on my bucket list for a very long time. When Emma proposed signing up for the Berlin Marathon about 10 months ahead of it, it was a no-brainer to say yes! It took another 5 months to realise what I had gotten myself into when I started researching training plans, the best shoes, nutrition, and avoiding injury.

Unfortunately, I was not able to avoid injury. A knee injury during my training made me think that my dream might be over. In the week leading up to the event, I grew increasingly nervous. Should I even attempt to run the marathon?

After a lot of pasta, a rough game plan, and a short last night, it was finally race day. I met up with Lisa in the starting area. Pang! Off we went. For the first 10 kilometres, I was a bit tense but not worried. The adrenaline, good weather, other runners, and cheering from the crowd carried me to the halfway mark, and I was feeling great—a true runner's high.

At kilometre 30, my legs started to burn, and it would only get worse. But now I was determined. Running up and through the Brandenburg Gate made any doubt finally disappear. I would reach the finish line. One last sprint and I was done! Miraculously, I finished in just under 4 hours.

I have probably never been more proud of myself, and my joy felt so pure. I am very grateful for this experience and all the support—from Emma taking the initiative to sign up, Lisa calming me down at the starting block, my cousin helping me with nutrition, and everyone else along the journey.