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A new Personal Best on the Marathon. My longest trail run ever. New Personal bests on the kilometre, 15 kilometres, 10 English Miles, Half Marathon and 30 kilometres. Yet, 2025 feels like a disappointing running year. But why?

2025: a disappointing running year

A new Personal Best on the Marathon. My longest trail run ever. Yet, 2025 feels like a disappointing running year. Why?
October 30, 2025By John Kraijenbrink

Strength training for runners

Training your core muscles will improve your running economy*. In other word; a strong core makes you a faster runner. And that's not it. A strong core can even prevent injuries.

10 Core Strength Exercises for Runners

Training your core muscles will improve your running economy. In other word; a strong core makes you a faster runner.
October 25, 2025By John Kraijenbrink

News

It's almost happening: The International Running Expo. November 4 and 5 the RAI in Amsterdam will be the centre of the running world, where stars like Madalina Florea, winner of the Golden Trail World Series, Scott Jurek, and a lot of brands will shine their light on the latest running tech.

Int. Running Expo: Madalina Florea, ice baths and new running tech

The Int. Running Expo in A'dam will be the centre of the world where brands shine their light on the latest running tech
October 24, 2025By John Kraijenbrink

Trail & ultra races

Five kilometres. Only five kilometres done, and my legs are already protesting. The goal is a new Personal Best on the Antwerp Half Marathon, but how am I going to do that, if my legs feel like this?

Antwerp Marathon: two personal bests

Only five kilometres done, and my legs are already protesting. How will I get my PB at this Antwerp Half Marathon?
October 20, 2025By John Kraijenbrink

Pick up your free training lorem ipsum dolor sit

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Gear

Take, for example, the Altra Olympus 5. The best ultra trail running shoe I've tested so far.

Altra has killed the perfect ultra trail running shoe

The Altra Olympus 5 is the best trail running shoe I've tested so far. The Olympus 6 the worst. How Altra killed a shoe.
August 19, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Brand

Altra

Model

Olympus 5 & 6

Weight

345 gr

They look fun, with their open-air pocket holes. They look soft. Snuggly. Yet, they run nicely as well. ON has made a very comfortable everyday trainer with the ON Cloudsurfer.

On Cloudsurfer; a soft everyday trainer

ON has made a very comfortable everyday trainer with the ON Cloudsurfer.
June 21, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Brand

ON

Model

Cloudsurfer

Weight

261 grams

Patagonia gave me their Storm Racer Jacket nine months ago. I have tested it thoroughly. Here are my likes and dislikes.

Patagonia Storm Racer Jacket, a review

Patagonia gave me their Storm Racer Jacket nine months ago. I have tested it thoroughly. Here are my likes and dislikes.
May 30, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Brand

Patagonia

Model

Storm Racer Jacket

Material

100% recycled nylon

Trail & Ultra races

Five kilometres. Only five kilometres done, and my legs are already protesting. The goal is a new Personal Best on the Antwerp Half Marathon, but how am I going to do that, if my legs feel like this?

Antwerp Marathon: two personal bests

Only five kilometres done, and my legs are already protesting. How will I get my PB at this Antwerp Half Marathon?
October 20, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Race name

Antwerp marathon

Place

Antwerp

Country

Belgium

The pellet heather is burning, while the rain is beating against the windows. Making it hard to look outside. My legs are resting on the sofa, after yesterday's hard workout. In other words; perfect conditions to look for a spring marathon for 2026.

Looking for a Spring Marathon 2026

My legs are resting on the sofa, after a hard workout. A perfect moment to look for a spring marathon for 2026.
October 5, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Race

Spring Marathon

Place

Continent

Europe

Fifteen minutes to the start of the Parelrun in Eersel, the Netherlands. I still don't know what I'm going to do; push or take it easy? I signed up for this race to pace Sara to a new Personal Best. She's sick, so it's just me running. But how are my legs? Tired, that I know. But do they have some speed in them? Enough for a Personal Best? 

Parelrun; the speed is coming back

Fifteen minutes to the start of the Parelrun in Eersel, and I still don't know what to do; push or take it easy?
September 15, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Race name

Parelrun

Place

Eersel

Country

Netherlands

Nutrition for runners

Never try something new during an Ultra Race. Näak is providing bars and sports drinks at the UTMB CCC. Time for a test.

Running an ultra on Näak gels and bars

Never try something new during an Ultra Race. Näak is providing bars and sports drinks at the UTMB CCC. Time for a test.
August 23, 2024
By John Kraijenbrink

Brand

Näak

Products

Bars, Gels, Purees, Waffles, Drink Mixes, Recovery

Taste

Peach Apricot, Salted Maple, Chocolate, Lime, Watermelon and more

Let's talk nutrition. Let's talk sweets. Let's talk about something yummy and nutritious. Let's talk about running an ultra marathon on cupcakes. Cupcakes made for cyclists.

Running an ultra trail race on cupcakes

Let's talk about something yummy and nutritious. Let's talk about running an ultra marathon on cupcakes.
June 20, 2024
By John Kraijenbrink

Nutrition

Energy bar

Carbs/serving

31 grams

Taste

Banana, Chocolat, Muesli Nuts/Fruit

You need iron to run

To transport oxygen to your muscles, you need red blood cells. Or to be precise Hemoglobin and Ferritin.
August 16, 2023
By John Kraijenbrink

Problem

Anemia

Supplement

Iron

Symptoms

Tired, weak

Gear

Take, for example, the Altra Olympus 5. The best ultra trail running shoe I've tested so far.

Altra has killed the perfect ultra trail running shoe

The Altra Olympus 5 is the best trail running shoe I've tested so far. The Olympus 6 the worst. How Altra killed a shoe.
August 19, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Brand

Altra

Model

Olympus 5 & 6

Weight

345 gr

They look fun, with their open-air pocket holes. They look soft. Snuggly. Yet, they run nicely as well. ON has made a very comfortable everyday trainer with the ON Cloudsurfer.

On Cloudsurfer; a soft everyday trainer

ON has made a very comfortable everyday trainer with the ON Cloudsurfer.
June 21, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Brand

ON

Model

Cloudsurfer

Weight

261 grams

Patagonia gave me their Storm Racer Jacket nine months ago. I have tested it thoroughly. Here are my likes and dislikes.

Patagonia Storm Racer Jacket, a review

Patagonia gave me their Storm Racer Jacket nine months ago. I have tested it thoroughly. Here are my likes and dislikes.
May 30, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Brand

Patagonia

Model

Storm Racer Jacket

Material

100% recycled nylon

Trail & Ultra races

Five kilometres. Only five kilometres done, and my legs are already protesting. The goal is a new Personal Best on the Antwerp Half Marathon, but how am I going to do that, if my legs feel like this?

Antwerp Marathon: two personal bests

Only five kilometres done, and my legs are already protesting. How will I get my PB at this Antwerp Half Marathon?
October 20, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Race name

Antwerp marathon

Place

Antwerp

Country

Belgium

The pellet heather is burning, while the rain is beating against the windows. Making it hard to look outside. My legs are resting on the sofa, after yesterday's hard workout. In other words; perfect conditions to look for a spring marathon for 2026.

Looking for a Spring Marathon 2026

My legs are resting on the sofa, after a hard workout. A perfect moment to look for a spring marathon for 2026.
October 5, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Race

Spring Marathon

Place

Continent

Europe

Fifteen minutes to the start of the Parelrun in Eersel, the Netherlands. I still don't know what I'm going to do; push or take it easy? I signed up for this race to pace Sara to a new Personal Best. She's sick, so it's just me running. But how are my legs? Tired, that I know. But do they have some speed in them? Enough for a Personal Best? 

Parelrun; the speed is coming back

Fifteen minutes to the start of the Parelrun in Eersel, and I still don't know what to do; push or take it easy?
September 15, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Race name

Parelrun

Place

Eersel

Country

Netherlands

Nutrition for runners

Never try something new during an Ultra Race. Näak is providing bars and sports drinks at the UTMB CCC. Time for a test.

Running an ultra on Näak gels and bars

Never try something new during an Ultra Race. Näak is providing bars and sports drinks at the UTMB CCC. Time for a test.
August 23, 2024
By John Kraijenbrink

Brand

Näak

Products

Bars, Gels, Purees, Waffles, Drink Mixes, Recovery

Taste

Peach Apricot, Salted Maple, Chocolate, Lime, Watermelon and more

Let's talk nutrition. Let's talk sweets. Let's talk about something yummy and nutritious. Let's talk about running an ultra marathon on cupcakes. Cupcakes made for cyclists.

Running an ultra trail race on cupcakes

Let's talk about something yummy and nutritious. Let's talk about running an ultra marathon on cupcakes.
June 20, 2024
By John Kraijenbrink

Nutrition

Energy bar

Carbs/serving

31 grams

Taste

Banana, Chocolat, Muesli Nuts/Fruit

You need iron to run

To transport oxygen to your muscles, you need red blood cells. Or to be precise Hemoglobin and Ferritin.
August 16, 2023
By John Kraijenbrink

Problem

Anemia

Supplement

Iron

Symptoms

Tired, weak

Editor's Choice

Interviews

How to make Strava Art / GPS Art? An interview with Strava artist Sander Gabel, also known as Runbrandt. GPS is making drawings by running.

How to make Strava Art – An interview with Runbrandt

How to make Strava Art / GPS Art? An interview with Strava artist Sander Gabel, also known as Runbrandt.
October 17, 2025By John Kraijenbrink

Strength training for runners

If you want to run faster, if you want to run with better form (running economy), if you want to prevent injuries, you have to do strength training. But where to start? The answer is simple: with this Basic Strength Training for Runners class. It will give you the foundation you need.

Basic Strength Training for Runners

If you want to run faster, you have to strength train. To help you, here is a Basic Strength Training for Runners class.
September 19, 2025By John Kraijenbrink

Interviews

Paul Waye (58) is running around the Netherlands; plogging. Picking up litter while jogging. To do the full toer he will do 31 marathons in 31 days.

31 Marathons in 31 days while plogging

Paul Waye is running around the Netherlands; plogging. Picking up litter while jogging. He will run 31 marathons.
May 15, 2025By John Kraijenbrink

Run smarter

How to train as an ageing athlete? Do we have to change our training schedule? Change how we train? Let's look at all the answers.

How to train as an ageing athlete

How to train as an ageing athlete? Do we have to change our training schedule? The answer is yes. Here is how.
March 5, 2025By John Kraijenbrink

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Trending Now

A new Personal Best on the Marathon. My longest trail run ever. New Personal bests on the kilometre, 15 kilometres, 10 English Miles, Half Marathon and 30 kilometres. Yet, 2025 feels like a disappointing running year. But why?

2025: a disappointing running year

October 30, 2025•By John Kraijenbrink
Read more
Training your core muscles will improve your running economy*. In other word; a strong core makes you a faster runner. And that's not it. A strong core can even prevent injuries.

10 Core Strength Exercises for Runners

October 25, 2025•By John Kraijenbrink
Read more
It's almost happening: The International Running Expo. November 4 and 5 the RAI in Amsterdam will be the centre of the running world, where stars like Madalina Florea, winner of the Golden Trail World Series, Scott Jurek, and a lot of brands will shine their light on the latest running tech.

Int. Running Expo: Madalina Florea, ice baths and new running tech

October 24, 2025•By John Kraijenbrink
Read more
Five kilometres. Only five kilometres done, and my legs are already protesting. The goal is a new Personal Best on the Antwerp Half Marathon, but how am I going to do that, if my legs feel like this?

Antwerp Marathon: two personal bests

October 20, 2025•By John Kraijenbrink
Read more
How to make Strava Art / GPS Art? An interview with Strava artist Sander Gabel, also known as Runbrandt. GPS is making drawings by running.

How to make Strava Art – An interview with Runbrandt

October 17, 2025•By John Kraijenbrink
Read more
The pellet heather is burning, while the rain is beating against the windows. Making it hard to look outside. My legs are resting on the sofa, after yesterday's hard workout. In other words; perfect conditions to look for a spring marathon for 2026.

Looking for a Spring Marathon 2026

October 5, 2025•By John Kraijenbrink
Read more

Pick up your free training lorem ipsum dolor sit

Lorem ipsum freebie

Shoes

Take, for example, the Altra Olympus 5. The best ultra trail running shoe I've tested so far.

Altra has killed the perfect ultra trail running shoe

The Altra Olympus 5 is the best trail running shoe I've tested so far. The Olympus 6 the worst. How Altra killed a shoe.
August 19, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Brand

Altra

Model

Olympus 5 & 6

Weight

345 gr

They look fun, with their open-air pocket holes. They look soft. Snuggly. Yet, they run nicely as well. ON has made a very comfortable everyday trainer with the ON Cloudsurfer.

On Cloudsurfer; a soft everyday trainer

ON has made a very comfortable everyday trainer with the ON Cloudsurfer.
June 21, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Brand

ON

Model

Cloudsurfer

Weight

261 grams

Inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G300, a review after 500 kilometres

The TraiFfy Ultra G300 is Inov-8's ultra trail running shoe. Perfect for technical rocky terrain. A review after 500k.
May 6, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Brand

Inov-8

Model

TrailFly Ultra G300

Weight

300gr

Apps

To prepare for the Dolomiti Extreme Trail I used the Albon app. Yet I’m stopping with it. The app is great, but not for me. Here's why.

Training with the Albon app, a review

To prepare for the Dolomiti Extreme Trail I used the Albon app. Yet I’m stopping with it. It is great, but not for me.
May 18, 2023
By John Kraijenbrink

Type

Training App

Developer

Albon App AS

Size

4.2mb

Accessories

Leki running poles; the breakable ones, a review

Okay, this is not going to be a happy review. How could it be? I just broke my second pair of Leki running poles.
February 1, 2024
By John Kraijenbrink

Type

Running Poles

Brand

Leki

Model

Neotrail FX.One Superlite

My legs don’t want to run anymore, but they have to. It’s time for distraction, for a podcast. It’s time for my Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones.

Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones, a review

My legs don’t want to run anymore, but they have to. Time for distraction, for a podcast. Time for my Shokz OpenRun Pro.
April 20, 2023
By John Kraijenbrink

Type

Headphones

Brand

Shokz

Sort

Open-ear

I run by using heart rate, not by using pace. I’m a trail runner. But should I change this? Should I run with a power meter?

Should I run with a power meter as trail runner?

I run by using heart rate, not pace. I’m a trail runner. But should I change this? Should I run with a power meter?
April 19, 2023
By John Kraijenbrink

Accessory

Power meter

Brand

Stryd

Test/information

Background information

Shoes

Take, for example, the Altra Olympus 5. The best ultra trail running shoe I've tested so far.

Altra has killed the perfect ultra trail running shoe

The Altra Olympus 5 is the best trail running shoe I've tested so far. The Olympus 6 the worst. How Altra killed a shoe.
August 19, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Brand

Altra

Model

Olympus 5 & 6

Weight

345 gr

They look fun, with their open-air pocket holes. They look soft. Snuggly. Yet, they run nicely as well. ON has made a very comfortable everyday trainer with the ON Cloudsurfer.

On Cloudsurfer; a soft everyday trainer

ON has made a very comfortable everyday trainer with the ON Cloudsurfer.
June 21, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Brand

ON

Model

Cloudsurfer

Weight

261 grams

Inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G300, a review after 500 kilometres

The TraiFfy Ultra G300 is Inov-8's ultra trail running shoe. Perfect for technical rocky terrain. A review after 500k.
May 6, 2025
By John Kraijenbrink

Brand

Inov-8

Model

TrailFly Ultra G300

Weight

300gr

Apps

To prepare for the Dolomiti Extreme Trail I used the Albon app. Yet I’m stopping with it. The app is great, but not for me. Here's why.

Training with the Albon app, a review

To prepare for the Dolomiti Extreme Trail I used the Albon app. Yet I’m stopping with it. It is great, but not for me.
May 18, 2023
By John Kraijenbrink

Type

Training App

Developer

Albon App AS

Size

4.2mb

Accessories

Leki running poles; the breakable ones, a review

Okay, this is not going to be a happy review. How could it be? I just broke my second pair of Leki running poles.
February 1, 2024
By John Kraijenbrink

Type

Running Poles

Brand

Leki

Model

Neotrail FX.One Superlite

My legs don’t want to run anymore, but they have to. It’s time for distraction, for a podcast. It’s time for my Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones.

Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones, a review

My legs don’t want to run anymore, but they have to. Time for distraction, for a podcast. Time for my Shokz OpenRun Pro.
April 20, 2023
By John Kraijenbrink

Type

Headphones

Brand

Shokz

Sort

Open-ear

I run by using heart rate, not by using pace. I’m a trail runner. But should I change this? Should I run with a power meter?

Should I run with a power meter as trail runner?

I run by using heart rate, not pace. I’m a trail runner. But should I change this? Should I run with a power meter?
April 19, 2023
By John Kraijenbrink

Accessory

Power meter

Brand

Stryd

Test/information

Background information

Listen our podcast on Spotify

Are you looking for some entertainment and inspiration during your long runs? We got you covered with our podcasts. Listen to the big shots of the ultra and trail running world talking about their struggles, their strategies and their training. Listen to what’s going on inside of the mind of runners. Learn from the best coaches and compare yourself with other runners like you who may not race to win prizes, but race to be the best version of themselves. 

Discover the podcast
Training