I did it!

It was an absolute blast! I will definitely always cherish my very first marathon experience! I felt so lucky with teammates, friends, colleagues and family all being part of the cheering and time tracking experience, I felt the love :-)

"I did it!" first words at finish plus some tears behind my sunglasses! All goals for my very first marathon accomplished! Sub-4, enjoyed it thoroughly and did not have to stop or walk. It almost felt like a birthday or graduation day, so special! From waiting before the start with teammates until celebrating late at night. When I got closer to the Harrier Zone, I had butterflies in my stomach, since it was a dream come true to represent the Harriers in my first marathon in the city I call home. Thank you to all Harriers out there cheering, running and encouraging each other. Congratulations to all finishers, amazing results! Special thanks to the spreadsheet masters, coach K and to my sista who helped me plan my training and dealing with an injury early in the program, making sure I would be able to run injury-free on Nov 7th! Our team is the best!

I am in!

It's been way too long since my last update. The summer flew by. A summer with beautiful weather, super humid days, exciting races, weekend getaways and a couple of setbacks. But that's the history of the summer of 2010. Right now it's fall, I recovered from an injury and learned how to avoid it from coming back. It turned out that I had a lazy left butt and that resulted in peroneal tendonitis late July. Luckily with the help of a fantastic physical therapist I went to the root of the problem and worked on strengthening my ankle plus my left weaker side and I was able to slowly build up mileage and resume marathon training in the middle of August. Still in time for my first marathon in November. It was frustrating and I got nervous, but my New York sista, who happens to be a very talented trainer, helped me with exercises, whipped me into shape with plyometrics and listened patiently to all my questions, doubts and insecurities about running a marathon and all other things that kept me awake at night. Now I feel stronger and pumped and ready to run this town. THIS town, since through my team, the NY Harriers, I recently learned that I got a spot in the ING NYC Marathon! Yes!!! It's a dream come true. My first marathon in my city, where I live for 6.5 years now and where I took running to a more serious level in terms of distances, race times, competing and more importantly being part of a team since 2009. A team that gave me new friendships, new challenges and a well-balanced active and social life.
I am so excited and nervous at the same time for November 7th. But most of all proud to be running my first marathon as a Harrier, being cheered on by my teammates and some of my best friends and colleagues. It's sad that my beloved family can't be here, but I know they will be tracking me at home in Holland, with iPhones, internet and text messages. Knowing that will hopefully keep me going strong. As well as that some exceptional people in NY, are family now. All I have to do now is RUN and make them proud, which I hope I will be able to do. And enjoy my very first marathon of course!