I was so happy. To finish (almost) strong and pain free upto km 36. A feeling i missed since London Marathon 2023.
Time truly is just a number huh; 4.27, 4.01, 3.47 ; 3.38 ; 3.36 hour … For in all of the above i felt accomplished and proud. There is a story behind the numbers. Moment of relief crossing that finish line. Just really content with (personal) targets and plans.
On this date; it is Enschede in 3.47 hour. It was significant (to me) coming out from a year and a half feeling real low & discouraged; managing run injury mentally and physically. I tried (almost) everything. Most runs start with sustained pain over an abnormally long distance upto 3-6km. Speed training of 400m caused pain that would take days to recover. Some physiotherapist says “run past it”. I did. With paracetamols and ibuprofen. I tried to “race” in the last cross season of 5km but first km always see me walking. Damaging to the ego🤣. I did finish one cross season ; 5 competitions in total.
What changed?
I start to focus on what i can. Running slow and building up the distance over a defined period. After Athens and Cyprus in Nov 2024, i felt determined to give myself another chance but with a training plan. I just want to do a sub 4 hour and actually run the entire distance, feeling strong and grand at km 32 u know… a hardcore runner can appreciate this 🙂 for km 32-35 is never always smooth sailing.
Visited numerous physiotherapists although not perfect but i picked up a thing or two here and there. Exercises.
I started strength training and foam rolling. At the gym i see myself increasing weights from 10-30kg. Started focusing a bit more on my core & glutes. Still a lot to learn in this segment but definitely one of the biggest change in my run routine.
I made sure i logged in the long runs. 4 in total and one hitting 36km. I need to experience the discomfort again. I only could log in 40-45km a week because of my new job far away from home. So long runs are only in the weekend. As i felt stronger, i did a 16km and 21km road races where i tried and hold my target marathon tempo. Mid winter 10 miler and Gaanzeloop HM.
Gertjan was my biggest fan & barometer. When i have a really good run i get to share it with him. It’s nice. When i whine , he just brushes me off. I think i needed that. I admire his discipline. And i suppose it had a real positive impact on me. He also came out of a long injury and came back so strong this year. I Found that #inspiring.
In Enschede
I was quite relax. A bit unusual.
I had 6 gels with me. Something i learned to do with discipline since 2024. A bit of a noob when it comes to gel intake but i think that has to do with how bad they taste; texture and what not. But i finally landed on Born super liquid gel. I look forward to taking them. Small distraction.
Mijntje had signed up for the half marathon (impulsively) and an angel that she is had arranged the logistics, baggage and bib pick up with Casper. This probably also made it relax.
A week prior Gertjan was reporting almost on a daily basis on the weather forecast. It went from windforce 1 to 4. Ouch. I did then mentally prepare myself that i may not achieve that sub 4 given my experience in Gaanzeloop 2 weeks prior.
Started at the orange ‘vak’ and that is in line with 3.55 hr target. The initial 13km was somewhat a challenge as i was trying to land on a souplesse pace. I know i can do a 5.00 or 5.08 but i know i cannot hold it over 36 km. So i adjust and kept at 5.15-5.20. Only seconds per km we think, but sometimes it is these seconds that make or break you … in km 36.
I started feeling that wind off km 13 and again off km 26 (in park) … t’jahhh #whatugonnadoaboutit (fav. Gertjan quote)… it’s April, and we are in Holland. But in the end i felt like i managed it better than i expected.
So i finish! Better than i expected! And i felt accomplished. Gave Gertjan and Mijntje a hugeeeeeeee hug. So naiceeee. 💜
meysrunningjourney.com 