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Fog, Sweat & Gate Changes: How I Signed Up for an Accidental Airport Marathon (Thanks, Frankfurt!)

Info Blurb:

What started as a simple connection quickly turned into an endurance test. I found myself sprinting through terminals like an athlete in a comedy sketch—dodging slow walkers, praying the gate agents were still awake, and questioning if I’d accidentally signed up for a full-on airport marathon. Between fog delays, missing stairs, and unexpected cardio, I discovered that airports secretly double as gyms.

October 1, 2025 — Heading to Scotland

There I was, standing nearly at the back of Flight #1, and the stair truck was nowhere to be seen. ✈️ We had to circle the airport for 20 minutes because of fog (glad we were safe, but my heart rate was starting to climb 💓). Then—another delay with the stairs. No need to panic… right?

Then I looked at my boarding info for my second flight: gate change from A (where I was deplaning—hopefully soon!) to B23. Gulp 😬 Good thing I had perfect running attire on… NOT! 🏃‍♀️

When the stairs finally arrived, cheers erupted from inside the cabin—followed by the slowest-moving humans I’ve ever witnessed. Come on, people! It’s not that early—move! Please! 😅

Finally, my feet hit the ground. I darted about 200 meters to the terminal, up a flight of escalators, bypassed the next one, and took the stairs—two at a time—with my bags in hand. 🎒 Paused for about 20 seconds to figure out which way “B” was, and then took off again.

The “walk” through the terminal felt like a shopping mall 🛍️—so many stores and displays, all right where you had to walk. I really wish people came with brake lights and turn signals for when they suddenly stop or veer in front of you to look at souvenirs. 😆

Anyway, I finally made it through the shopping gauntlet—at least 400 meters, if not more—to customs into Germany. Luckily, there was no one in my line! The customs officer sure took his sweet time deciding if I was really me, though. 😂 Stamp in hand, I dashed off toward B1–4… I had a long way to go, and my gate had officially closed one minute ago. But I wasn’t giving up.

Those conveyor-belt walking platforms? Absolute lifesavers. I used three of them—plus my “power-walking at lunch” training (thanks, GDC ladies!)—and zoomed past the gates. 🏃‍♀️ I had to turn left and go downstairs for mine. I literally ran down the ramps. Feet burning 🔥, jacket stuck to my arms, sweat dripping from my hat brim… I kept going—just 100 meters left!

About 50 meters away, I saw a large group of people… but were they at B23 or B24? I couldn’t tell. Guess what? They were at B23—I freaking made it! 🙌

Turns out, flight #2 had a 10-minute delay, and I had been too busy running (and focusing on my breathing) to notice. Relief washed over me—I had made it! 🎉

And then… we waited. About 15 minutes to board the bus that would take us to our plane. Honestly, at this point, I could have walked there—and since I was already warmed up, probably even faster. 🚶‍♀️ Oh well. Once on the bus, we pulled away… and then stopped again about 500 meters from the plane. Were we walking? Were we going? 🤷‍♀️ Nobody knew.

Finally, movement. The packed bus—full of people in coats—was getting steamy and a bit smelly. 😬 When the doors opened, fresh, cool air hit my face. We all stumbled out like cattle 🐄 toward the stairs.

My poor, tired lamberfeeties were thrilled to finally sit down. I gave a silent sorry to anyone unfortunate enough to be near me in that jacket after my mad dash. But happily, I’m on the plane and heading toward my destination. ✈️

Now… let’s see how easily I can navigate from there! 😅🏴