GRLs Who Race: Perri Smith Tackles the Berlin Marathon

by Perri Smith

#GRLsWhoRace - In this series, we’re celebrating the running trailblazers who inspire us. From elite running legends to hometown heroes, these ladies shine with Black Girl Magic and show us that everything is possible.

“BE HERE NOW”

I scribbled these words on my wrist with a Sharpie, hoping that if they couldn’t bring me a miracle, they would at least bring me some peace of mind on my 42-kilometer journey through Berlin, Germany for the 2019 BMW Berlin Marathon.

Before the race began, I had been diligent in my preparation. During my summer internship in Minnesota, I woke up before work to run and incorporated cross-training into my schedule. I learned the importance of cross training the hard way from my first marathon in Chicago in 2017.

But as the summer began to fade, my workout routine began to do the same.

I wasn’t as prepared as I wanted to be. As I boarded the plane from Boston to Berlin, the doubt and anxiety began to creep in. “I’m not trying to PR; I just want to explore the city,” I lied to myself, letting my insecurities get the best of me.

Perri shows off her hard-earned hardware from the 2019 BMW Berlin Marathon. Photo courtesy of Perri Smith.

To take control of my thinking, the night before the race, I popped my headphones in and did a guided meditation on Headspace, a website and app that offers guided meditations in a simple to use format. “Own this time, own this run and own your fitness,” the running coach instructed. “There is so much good happening in this moment, so be here now.”

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“Just consider it a really long tour of one of the best cities in the world,” Stefani, my RUNGRL accountability partner encouraged me via text. “Stay present in every stride.”

With these words in mind, I resolved to be present during the race, to not worry about how I’d feel at mile 19 (where I’d hit my “wall” in Chicago), and to not admonish myself for those missed workouts.

Then, the skies opened up and it started to rain.

As I ran, I cursed the weather gods, but also stuck my tongue out to catch the raindrops. When I saw a man running and dribbling, not one, but two basketballs, I acknowledged his commitment and coordination. When I felt my mind wandering out of the present, I looked down at my wrist and the words I’d scribbled for a visible reminder to “BE HERE NOW”. I truly felt every little pain and emotion and appreciated the scenery along the way.

At the end of it all, I was full of gratitude for my body. Grateful it had allowed me to complete each step of the 26.2-mile race. I was also grateful to the community for their support and encouragement, on the cold and wet race day.

Grateful to be in Berlin, present and in the moment.