Hereunder you can find an overview of past events & goals achieved:
2019
December
Bruggenloop
Tons of wind, but luckily the rain stopped on time. Temperature was warm for the time of the year (two years ago the race was cancelled due to heavy snows) but with +/- 11 degrees it was about the best race temperature one could wish for ( https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a20824056/whats-the-optimal-temperature-for-marathons/ )
The plan was to run in a group of four (Don, Koen, Ernest and myself) and to help Ernest to achieve his sub 1 hour goal. We started pacing at 3:55 per km, Don and myself took the lead. This went well until the Brienenoord bridge and there we lost Ernest. We continued the three of us and finished in a beautiful 58 min. time. Afterward we headed to Prachtig and the Finish house/sauna for a well deserved beer & rest. Looking forward to next year! (@Ernest: we will get you under that 1 hour mark 🙂
NOVEMBER
Zevenheuvelenloop (video)
On a very beautiful Sunday morning I left Luxembourg early in the morning. Destination was Nijmegen.
SEPTEMBER
Dam tot Damloop 10 EM (video)
The weekend of the 21st and 22nd was fully packed with races. On Sunday I ran the Dam tot Damloop. Resisted running this one for a long time (very crowded runs are not really appealing to me – I rather run small & amateuristic races) but we had a chance to enter through a company slot (thanks again Niels – https://www.deloittereachingpeaks.nl/ ) Next to this we could start with three “B-boys” making this also a fun roadtrip/experience.
The weather was great & even turned out to be one of the historically hottest days in September. Due to this circumstance, the last waves were even cancelled. As I ran a fast half marathon (1:24:39) the day before, I was not sure with regard to what I could expect. My target was to pace Pieter to a fast start (he had a 1:04:00 finish time in mind)
Rottemerenloop Half Marathon
On Saturday I ran “De Rottenmerenloop” for the first time. The race was brought to my attention through a special person. Altough the person itself could not enter (due to a momentarily busy life situation) I was happy to enter and run a fast half marathon. Joining me were Ernest and Ief always adding energy & fun to the event.
July
Zermatt Ultra Marathon (photos & video)
This was my 20th marathon and is a 45.5km race with 2324 altitude meters. Result: 5:30:24. Ran together with Michael & Sebastiaan.
May
Ironman Lanzarote 140.6 (photos) Full distance Ironman. Goal was to run a good marathon (sub 4 hours) This was a week after Leiden marathon so recovery during that week was important. Ran the marathon in 3:52:40. Total race time 13:27:16 Entered the race together with Piet.
Leiden Marathon. 42.2km around Leiden city. I ran this one specially for my neighbours. They were fully dressed in Hawaiian theme at Oude Ade village. As I was going to compete in Lanzarote one week later, I was fully focussed on running a “flat” race. I ran 3:29:26 – Goal was 3:29:30 🙂 I started frontline together with Michael.
APRIL
Rotterdam Marathon (photos) Yearly event were running a PR is target. For years I’ve been working towards the sub 3 hours goal and getting very close. For a long time I had been running with an ETA of 2:54:00 but this edition (once more) turned out to be the first “summer day” of the year. We started with approx. 14 degrees and by the time I finished it was about 24 degrees (+ 10 degrees) . I can perform well under warm conditions, but peak performance is hard to achieve in such an environment. Result 3:03:28 PR. Ran together with “B-selectie”/PAC.
MARCH
Tourski week Silvretta (photos & video)
February
Maassluis half marathon (photos) Turned out to be a great day/run. Weather was ice cold (as to be expected at the beginning of February) and we started in singlet/racing gear. After ten to fifteen minutes full speed, body felt cozy. We managed to run full pace from start to end. Was part of a fast group and through this pacing was able to achieve a new PR on the 21.1km distance. Result 1:21:17 PR. Ran together with PAC runners.
JanuarY
Egmond half marathon (photos) Starting race of a new season. One of my favourite races and I have been entering now for 7 straight years. You never know what the weather will do and what the conditions on the beach will be (you run half of the race on the beach and the other half in the dunes) This year I started with a sub 1:30:00 target. Very happy to have accomplished it. Result 1:26:47 PR.
2018
December
Palma de Mallorca (photos)
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2009
2008
Montblanc Summit. After three years of training and attempts to reach the summit, on the 24th of July 2008 we stood on the Top of Europe.
2007
2005
Rotterdam Marathon. The 1st one and little did I know what would follow.