2025: a disappointing running year

Posted on October 30, 2025•By John Kraijenbrink•Column

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?

Good things first. Lots of Personal Bests this year. I know, this is ‘only’ the fourth year I’m running again, after a 20-year hiatus because of ankle problems, but still, I am getting older. Fifty-three since a couple of days. As you know, age slows us down, so every Personal Best is a big win.

Rotterdam Marathon

That marathon Personal Best, 3:46:12 in Rotterdam, is the best one of them all. Ever since I failed in 1995 to break the four-hour barrier, I promised myself to do it one day. It took me thirty years, but I did it. Although I have to admit, I had mixed feelings afterwards. Secretly I hoped for 3:44. I still think my legs were ready for that, but it was so crowded. Too many runners. And, unexpectedly, I did hit the wall.

Which brings us to my longest race of the year, the Chianti Ultra Trail. 75 kilometres. Two more than the Auge um Auge I ran in 2023. So it was about time I did something big again. Talking about mixed feelings, that was another race in which I had them. I finished it, but I wasn’t as good as I hoped for.

Trail Alsace

Which is one of the reasons 2025 feels like a disappointing year. I only had one race I felt good. Strong. That’s the race where it went wrong. The Trail des Celtes, part of the Trail Alsace. The race I tore my ankle ligaments. That was in May. Ever since I’ve struggled with running.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s my own fault. I hoped I could still run the UTMB CCC. My (now former) coach thought I could still make the CCC, so I trained with torn ligaments. Not wise. I know now. I should have given my ankle rest. But, you know, there was a dream. I qualified for the CCC. I didn’t want to let go of that. And there is the age thing again. It’s not getting easier.

Keep on Running

But it was stupid. Going against the most important thing I promised myself when I started running again: keep on running for the rest of your life. I love running. I missed it in those years when I couldn’t. Running gives my life structure. I get up, I eat something and I go for my run. I have a shower and start work. At the end of the day, I step in the gym to do some strength work. My day starts with running; it finishes with running. Without it, I’m cranky. Ask my wife. She knows and, luckily, understands. She’s a runner herself.

I think it’s these lost months that make 2025 feel like a disappointing running year. The Personal Bests are fun, but they are not the reason I run. I run to be outside. My head in the wind. I run to smell the forest. I run to feel the rain fall down on me. I run to quiet my mind. I run because it makes me feel good.

Certified Running Coach

Let’s try to end on a high as well, because not everything was bad in 2025. Something great happened as well. Although, happened. I had to work hard for it, but I loved doing it. I got my Running Coach certificate. I was already studying everything that had to do with running, everything that had to do with the human body, so I decided I might as well follow a course to become a Running Coach. Well, I’m proud to say that I passed my exams this year, so since a couple of months I’m a certificate (UESCA) Running Coach. So, if you like, you can soon train with me. How about that?

Keep on Running

Photo: Sportograf

John Kraijenbrink

Running Coach - Massage Therapist - Yoga Teacher - Journalist - Gear Tester. I run for the joy of running. Yet, I like to challenge myself to be the best version I can be. For me that means dedicating myself to a structured training plan. You can find me on the road, trails, on my gravel bike or in the swimming pool.