Can I break the 25 kilometers barrier?

Tomorrow is the day. I’m going to try to break the 25 kilometers barrier. It’s my second try. The first time I failed, but it wasn’t my fault. Let me tell you why.

August 24 the plan was to break the 25 kilometers barrier. See, I have this crazy idea to run 50 kilometers when I’m 50. I’m still building up the amount of kilometers I can run. In August it was time to run 25k. That’s why I signed up for the Viking Steam Trail

890 meters too short

That trail was supposed to be 25 kilometers long. However, when I finished my Garmin Fenix told me I only ran 24 kilometers and 110 meters. 890 meters too short to break the 25 kilometers barrier.

I’ve to admit, when I crossed the finish line I was kind of done with running. I had been running for 2 hours and almost 45 minutes. I didn’t really feel like turning around and run 445 meters back. Turn around again and cross the finish line one more time, so I could complete the 25 kilometers.

Mental barrier

But ever since the Viking Steam Trail, it kept on bothering me that I didn’t run 25 kilometers. It feels like some kind of mental barrier I want to break first, before I take on longer distances. I should be able to do it. If I can run 24,1 kilometers I can run 25 or not?

It’s only 900 meters more. Yet 900 meters with tired legs is something different than 900 meters with fresh legs.

Racing

If I can choose, I prefer to break the barrier during a race. Races are always a bit easier than running 25 kilometers on my own. I like the atmosphere of a race. Often I chat a bit with other runners, which makes time go by quicker. And often there is a refreshment post where you can get something to drink and eat.

Don’t get me wrong, I love running. It’s just that after 2 hours I get bored, when I’m not running in the mountains. And I don’t mind carrying all my water, energy bars and gels with me, but a shot of Coca Cola for the last 5 kilometers isn’t bad. Or some salty food or bananas. I normally don’t carry that.

A new adventure

To keep myself entertained tomorrow, I’m going on a little adventure. Sara and I often go walking in the Malpie, a beautiful nature reserve not far from here. However, to get there we go by car, as it’s too far to walk. Well, tomorrow I won’t. Tomorrow I’m going to find a way from home through the forest and the countryside to the Malpie. Run around the Malpie and find another way back.

So, to summarize it; tomorrow I have two missions. Find a trail to the Malpie and back, and break the 25 kilometers barrier. Will I succeed? I’ll let you know tomorrow.

Related Columns

Sign up for more Training Tips & Tricks

Newsletter signup

Please wait..

Yeah, you signed up! Now, you'll get the best training tips and greatest gear reviews straight in your inbox. The only thing you have to do yourself, is keep on running.

Latest posts

Forty minutes of running, forty minutes of pain

This morning I did forty minutes of running, which meant forty minutes of pain. I start to wonder, can I run the CCC?

Hundreds of runners in the streets of London 

Wherever you look, you see people running in the streets of London It truly is the running capital of the world.

I finally ran my first Parkrun

I did it. I finally ran my first Parkrun. The Storeys Field parkrun in Cambridge, England. Ending a long running gag.

On Cloudsurfer; a soft everyday trainer

ON has made a very comfortable everyday trainer with the ON Cloudsurfer.

Do what you can – The long way back from injury

Six minutes, that's my running this week. 6 minutes divided over 2 sessions. It's a long way back from injury.

My first Did Not Start

One more week and I will have my first Did Not Start behind my name. I already have a DNF, but this DNS feels worse.
Training