The back to back 4-day 45km run intrigued me. I need to experience it.
But it wasn’t all that easy to start each morning. There is always this moment of doubt after a session of 45km the day before.
As strong as the mind may be, but i do think the small conversations Gertjan and i had , and encouragement from Esther (running partner), i therefore made it through to the finish line after 178km.
Day 1 – “Change is the only constant in life”
A personal and well thought-out arrangements by AnneMarie and Willem was itself a big pull factor to come back every day. Not only was the food station timely placed, the type of food at km 10, 20, 30 and 37 were well served. Soup was served at km 20, which was when the body craved for it. Omelette was served at km 30 when some good solid food brought the body further and longer. I didn’t for a second think that these food is “unconventional’. The food was too good to resist, the atmosphere so relax that you would not want to miss a comfort chat with AnneMarie at the post. Both of them has a way of making you feel that they understand the pain and struggle, and that they are there to make it easier.
It was my first time using the navigation system on my watch (in a race environment). A 2D visual map coupled with a 3D experience, a perfect combination! The 4-day
I was lost within the 10th km and decide to follow a group. Esther and Ronald were their name. I make sure that im always within 100m of sight.
At the water post at km 20, i went off alone following Rudy Sol and Shaak. This was the “forest loop”. While interesting it is also a place where u stand a higher chance of getting lost. Haha. I was with Shaak went we got lost. For about 800m we were circling an area with no pathway but dried up thorny branches. I got worried when Shaak gave up on looking and i decide to just cut through the dense wood. If only i had my calf sleeves on (haha). The whole time i recalled Gertjan saying to me if u get lost, just find a way to get back onto the GPS line. Man, that joy on my face when i saw Esther and Ronald again! And i vowed to keep Esther at sight since then.
As i hit the 42km distance i was thrilled not bonking. I jumped up and down when i got into the sports club, and without hesitation, signed up for Day 2.
Day 2 – “This training – It will stay in your ‘system’ for at least 3 months”
Today was more of a mental challenge than a physical one. Not only was this the hottest day recorded in Holland this summer, but since the 50s! *panda eyes* Yes, very hot, even for a girl who grew up in the tropical country. It hasn’t rain in a few weeks now. The air is dry with lesser oxygen.
My only memory of this day was how badly i wanted to just get this over and done with. Post 30km, i was adamant about NOT signing up for Day 3. Such was the experience at that time. I started walking very early on, cross open dry hayfields, under the heat, and at some point, was probably hallucinating about the camper van.
Today was also the day where all the gears went wrong. My shoulder and inner arms start to chafe, and toenails started bruising. My top was too fitting, and my shoes (size 42 EUR) too tight. The Salomon vest caused the shoulder to chafe. Bahhh…
Day 3 – “You will not feel better just because you stayed home”
The biggest challenge today was to get my feet on the ground. My toes were bruised and swollen from the day before, and i didn’t think i could fit into the Brooks Pure Cadence 5 anymore.
Rules are meant to be broken, i suppose 🙂 The plastered toes, iced feet, and elevated legs from the evening before helped. I saw Wouter, Gertjan’s friend limped down the stairs that morning, and thought to myself, hey, looks like everyone IS in pain. So why am i complaining?
I grab a size 44 shoe of Gertjan and took the risk. And this is the miracle shoe that gave m e a 178km story!
Day 3 was when we cross the river 7 times, with no “forest loop”. We started near Venlo and end up in Boxmeer. There were a hive of activities along the route; crossing a Saturday market in the village, chanced upon a couple cycling their way to Groningen, locals on boats looking curious.
I finished Day 3 feeling pretty awesome.
Day 4 – “Suddenly, all the pain disappear”
Willem with his whistle at finish line, “Prttttttttt…. one more round!”
I laughed so hard i almost teared.
(Well, actually, no finish line, just a good comfort hug at the end of every day and motivation from Gertjan – it is all i needed)
The trail on Day 4 was a challenge. The loose sands on the “Dutch mountain” really caught me by surprise. I guess it never gets easier. Every day is a brand new day, and a new challenge. On reflection, these experiences were priceless. Difficult as it may be post km 30 of each day, i made it past the 4 days.
Finishing Boxmeer challenge was a great achievement for me. Although details of the route are skimpy in this post, they remain vivid in my memory, one that i recall when i hit the road running/ training again. Since Boxmeer, i ran another 10km PB @ Spelle, and inching closer to my 45@40 target. My interval trainings of 1km and 400m recorded better times, with efforts i would describe as “makkelijk” (easy). I feel stronger, and its a good feeling.
Source:
meysrunningjourney.com 