A week full of surprises
The trick to progress is to be consistent. But how can you be consistent when you have to travel and have no clue where you will end up? I have that this week, which means it’s going to be a week full of surprises. We’re in Salento, the south of Italy. In Zollino to be […]
Becoming Forrest, a review
Forrest Gump ran 5 times from coast to coast through the USA. It took him three years, two months, 14 days, and 16 hours. The big question is, is that humanly possible? Rob Pope decided there was just one way to find out and put on his running shoes, a pair of white Nike Cortez. […]
Sara’s long distance record breaking trail run
Special day today. Record breaking day today. Well, hopefully. Sara is doing an attempt to break her long distance record. The longest run she has done so far was the Eindejaarstrail (End of the Year Trail), with 12,28 kilometer. Today’s goal: 13k. RELATED: Podcast: Sara Bigatti, the runner To make it extra special, we’re running […]
Trail des Fantomes; waves of energy
Highs and lows, downs and ups, the Trail des Fantomes was riding on physical and mental waves of energy. It’s almost five in the morning, pitch dark. The sky is covered with clouds. A little gap shows a tiny moon. No stars to be seen. Around me all runners have headlamps. All except me. I […]
You need iron to run
Sara is a bad trail runner. She knows, but she loves running, and that’s what counts. Although, knowing why she is bad at running counts as well. We had a theory and now we know for sure; Sara is anemic. See, you need iron to run. Running is stamina, endurance. That’s something you can train. Train […]
I have no plan for the Trail des Fantomes
Two more days to go to the Trail des Fantomes. My race plan? No plan. Unless you call staying ahead of the cut-off times a plan. In that case, I have one. I can’t call myself a newbie in trail running anymore. I’ve been doing it for 2 years now. Not that I see myself […]
Running in the rain
Six days to go to the Trail des Fantomes. I am out for a run in the rain. Doing half a marathon today. It’s going to be a low heart rate run, so I’m going to spend quite some time in this horrible weather. If it wasn’t for the Trail des Fantomes I wouldn’t have […]
My legs need a rest
TueHalfway through my run. I should do 4 minutes per kilometer now, I am not even coming close. No power. My legs need a rest, I need a rest. It’s a week and a half before the Trail des Fantomes. I admit, I am getting nervous. 68 kilometers sounds like a lot, feels like a […]
A look into the mind of a trail runner during a race
Pain, euphoria, on top of the world, ready to quit. All kinds of thoughts are racing through the mind of a trail runner, so in this podcast we’re going to have a look inside of that mind. ERYRI, the 25 kilometer race up Mount Snowdon, was a race I pushed, a race I tried to […]
I want a new personal record on the 30 kilometers
The legs felt good this morning. That’s a long time ago. Maybe I’m becoming greedy, but now I want a new personal record on the 30 kilometers. I admit, I have been getting worried lately. My fitness isn’t as I expected it to be. It feels more like the level of fitness I had in […]
Taking a little break
My mind blank, my body hot and my muscles relaxing. This is life. Sara and I are taking a little break. Just a few days in the sauna; reading, relaxing, rejuvenating. Things have been crazy lately. Well, ever since we went to Italy on our yoga tour. Travelling and teaching yoga is fun, but lots […]
Me and my iliopsoas are not friends
Sometimes you know something is wrong, but you don’t know precisely what. I had that the last couple of weeks. No power in my legs, irritated iliopsoas after every run and a cramp in my hamstring during walking breaks. Why? I didn’t know. Now I do. Most injuries I can work out myself. I am […]
What did I get myself into?
Sunday morning, Brabant sleeps. Nobody on the road, nobody in the forest. It’s what I like. Out on my own, the birds singing, the hares running away and the kilometers ticking off. There is just one problem. My mind. I’m asking myself; what did I get myself into? What, is the Trail des Fantomes, a […]
Race or training run?
I am in doubt. Should I race tomorrow or do a training run? And in both cases; where do I go? It’s hot in the Netherlands. Tomorrow it is going to be 35 degrees in Bergeijk. That’s hot for here. Tomorrow is also the day I have my long run planned. Sunday is normally the […]
I like challenges and badges
Call it gamification, call it childish, call it whatever you want, but I like challenges and badges. Sportive challenges, that is. It’s 9.30 pm. I’ve got a full day. I even have to go and sit behind my desk again for another hour. Yet, I just stepped off the elliptical to make sure I got […]
I am getting slow
I wanted to run fast today, it didn’t happen. I am getting slow. It’s time to do speed work again. If I talk about fast, don’t think seriously fast. My idea was to do a 2 kilometers warm-up this morning, followed by 10 kilometers within an hour. That’s 6 minutes per kilometer. That has nothing […]
My shoulder is melting
This sounds weird, but my shoulder is melting. No, it has nothing to do with the heat, it has all to do with my frozen shoulder. I just came back from the hospital. The doctor thinks I am in the last phase, the melting phase, which means I will slowly regain my flexibility again. RELATED: […]
In love with painful legs
These stairs never felt this high. They are nothing special, just the stairs in my house, but still my legs hurt with every step I take. I guess it’s the result of yesterday’s strength training and this morning’s run. But to be honest; I’m in love with painful legs. You have good pain and bad […]
First run in the Netherlands
We’re out for a run. We are Sara, Bruni and me. Sara is Sara, Bruni is the dog of my parents. She loves running. It’s our first run in the Netherlands after more than a month in Italy. It is also my first run after the Dolomiti Extreme Trail, which means I haven’t done any […]
Could I run further than 55 kilometers?
We’re on the train, on our way to Frankfurt am Main. We left Milan behind us, where we were for the La Scimmia Yoga World Yoga Day. It gives me some time to think. The big question that’s on my mind; could I run further than 55 kilometers? Lots further. Maybe even 75 kilometers? We […]
Seven lessons from the DXT
I like to run again. I feel recovered. Yet, I am trying to take it easy for a couple of more days. No running. Instead, I’m looking back at the Dolomiti Extreme Trail. These are the seven lessons I’ve learned. RELATED: DTX: fighting cut-off times There’s altitude and altitude I had a hard time at […]
Every trail runner needs 4 pairs of legs
A trail runner needs 4 pairs of legs. Each with its own specific goal: climbing legs, running legs, yoga legs and power hiking legs. Sweat is dripping from my head, making dark spots on the white rocks under my feet. I look up to the top of the mountain. This climb looks endless. Slowly I […]
Sharing the love of the mountains
It’s the day after the Dolomiti Extreme Trail 55k. My legs feel okay-ish. Good enough to climb down the stairs of our apartment above the Tana de l’Ors and make my way to the river. In fifteen minutes the kids’ race will start. They will run a little obstacle race and Sara and I don’t […]
DTX: fighting cut-off times
The Dolomiti Extreme Trail is precisely what the name tells you; extreme. 3.800 meters of altitude, grades of 50 percent and over. 57,5 kilometers of running. Rain, hail, thunder and lightning and a big fight against cut-off times. RELATED: I just subscribed for a 55 kilometers ultra My legs are protesting. I feel empty, light […]
My race plan for the DXT
It’s 5 in the morning. 24 hours for the start of the Dolomiti Extreme Trail (DXT) 55 kilometers race. I’m wide awake. My mind is full of questions. The biggest one? What is going to be my race plan for the DXT? Am I going to be bold or modest? When I look out of […]
The Rise of the Ultra Runners, a review
I have a new favorite book; The Rise of the Ultra Runners, written by Adharanand Finn. It’s one of those books you start reading and don’t want to put aside. Even when you have to go to bed. Adharanand Finn is a sports journalist, specialized in athletics. A purist, in his own words: ‘To be […]
Back in Forno di Zoldo for the DXT
We’re in Zoldo. Forno di Zoldo. It’s strange to be back here. What started as just an idea, is going to be reality in less than 57 hours. I’m going to run the 55 kilometers race at the Dolomiti Extreme Trail (DXT). RELATED: I just subscribed for a 55 kilometers ultra Last year we were […]
A book hunt in Rimini
No Yoga on Stage for me today. I’m at home, or better; I’m in our Airbnb in Viserba reading. Reading and resting, although I did go on a book hunt in Rimini today. See, the thing about being sick is that I read a lot. I am not so good at sleeping. Instead I read. […]
Worst taper ever
I should be teaching yoga today, I should do a bit of running today, instead I’m doing nothing. I’m sick. Again. This has to be the worst taper ever. Tapering means taking it easy in the weeks before a big race. Taking it easy, because you want to, not because you have to. I have […]
First run in Italy of this year
First run in Italy done; Viserba – Rimini – Viserba. It didn’t go as hoped, but at least I ran again. It feels weird not to write. After 280 blogs in a row, I’ve taken a little break. These days feel weird anyway. I’m not running, not writing, not doing my regular core training. I […]
Back on my yoga mat
I am back on my yoga mat. Not that I’ve been gone. I’ve been doing yoga at least every other day, but I haven’t done Vinyasa flow for months. My right shoulder didn’t let me. Now the pain is almost gone, I’m on my yoga mat again. RELATED: I have a frozen shoulder Vinyasa flow […]
Little changes on the blog
Maybe you’ve noticed yesterday, maybe not, but there were a few little changes on the website. The biggest one: I was silent for 2 days. The small one: my daily training overview looked different. The cool thing is; this is only the beginning. We have a few ideas we’re working on. We are Sara, Stefano […]
Finally running again
Yeah, I’m running again. I missed it so much. The sun shines, the birds sing, and it’s around 20 degrees. What else can a man ask for? Last Wednesday I was already done resting. I mean 3 days of rest after a hard race is generally enough for me. Day 4 I like to be […]
Training with the Albon app, a review
To fine tune my training in the last couple of months before my big race, the Dolomiti Extreme Trail, I decided to use the Albon app. Now, only a couple of weeks later, I’m already stopping with it. See, I think it’s a great app, but just not for me. Let me elucidate. Okay, let’s […]
Chasing Kilian Jornet
The new UTMB-index has been published. I moved up 178.925 places and am now the new number 276.014. I think Kilian Jornet is getting scared, because I’m coming for his number 1 position. Okay, that’s never going to happen. I think it would be already funny to be on the same starting line as Jornet, […]
The lessons of Ultra Trail Snowdonia
Home for a week. Next week Sara and I are leaving for Italy, to teach yoga in Rome, Rimini and Milan, and to run the race I’ve been preparing for for a whole year; the Dolomiti Extreme Trail. The Ultra Trail Snowdonia of last weekend was my last big preparation race. So let’s look at […]
The patterns of my body after a trail run
It’s sore leg day today. Tomorrow it will be I-am-tired-day. I think I’m starting to recognize the patterns of my body after a big trail run, like ERYRI 25 last Saturday. RELATED: ERYRI 25K; a roller-coaster of emotions The race is a story on its own. I’ve shared all the thoughts I had during the […]
Walking the Vivian Trail in Llanberis
My legs feel surprisingly good, after yesterday’s trail run. A good reason for Sara and I to go out for another walk. A little one, the Vivian Trail in Llanberis, but still, it’s a walk and it has more than 250 meters of altitude. RELATED: ERYRI 25K; a roller-coaster of emotions Plus it gives us […]
ERYRI 25K; a roller-coaster of emotions
Normally I’m around the slowest 20 percent of the field on a trail run, but I have never pushed. What if I would? Like today, at the ERYRI 25k at Ultra Trail Snowdonia? It’s seven in the morning. Sara is baking pancakes, my favorite race food. It’s three hours before the start of the ERYRI […]
A guide to UTMB Running Stones
Last day before ERYRI 25k at Ultra Trail Snowdonia. Sara and I are at the event village. I’m doing what I shouldn’t do on the day before a big race; spending a lot of time on my feet. But it’s fun to be here. This is the biggest race we’ve been to so far, and […]
How to train as an ageing athlete
Finishing as number 23 out of 38 at the Brabantse Ultra Trail might not sound that cool. But he, I am 50 years old and if I look at my age category, I’m number 5. Plus; if I hadn’t taken that wrong turn at the end I would be standing on the podium now with […]
First run up Mount Snowdon
Three days until the ERYRI 25 kilometers at Ultra Trail Snowdonia. So time to run up Mount Snowdon for the first time. It’s cold, it’s windy and the rain keeps coming down. This is the Wales we were expecting. I can’t say it’s a pleasure, but the weather is the weather; not something I can […]
A little walk around Lake Padarn
Four days till Ultra Trail Snowdonia. Sara and I are out for a little walk around Lake Padarn. Just loosening up the legs a bit, after yesterday’s day of travelling. It’s sunny in Wales. I didn’t even know they had sun here. I remember the Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert joking that he had to go […]
Wales here we come
Five days till ERYRI 25k at Ultra Trail Snowdonia. We’re in Wales. This is the sixth country I will be running a race in. My first race, in this second running life, was in the Netherlands (the Dieprijtcross), my second race was in Belgium, the Firefighter Mountain Trail in Beringen. After that I ran the […]
Testing my right knee and foot
Out for a run with Sara. We started in the sun, now we’re getting soaked. Let’s say it’s a good preparation for the ERYRI 25 kilometers at Ultra Trail Snowdonia next weekend. That’s partly the reason I’m running today anyway. I’m testing my right knee and foot. I’ve told you the Mighty Marathon (43,5 kilometers) […]
Another session of strength training
Lifting dumbbells, doing lunches, squats and abs. I’ve just done another session of strength training. With the ERYRI 25K at Ultra Trail Snowdonia and the Dolomiti Extreme Trail coming closer, I’m focusing more and more on strength training. This week has been an interesting week. Last Tuesday I had an interview with ultra runner Jeroen […]
Running above 2.000 meters of altitude
Administration day at the office, so I listened to my favorite cycling podcast, In het Wiel. Sorry it’s a Dutch one, but don’t worry the podcast isn’t relevant to this story. What was said is. Tom Dumoulin explained that racing – cycling in his case – above 2.000 meters is hard. Some people are capable […]
A well deserved rest
I’m letting Sara do the running today. I’m behind her; lazy on the bike. My legs have a well deserved rest this week. Two ultra runs in 8 days was a little bit too much. We’re doing part 2 of Sara’s Lactate Threshold Test. We should have done it earlier, but work got in the […]
Running Smart, a review
Are running shoes with support good for your feet or not? Is chocolate milk the best recovery drink? And is it better to land on your forefoot or your heel? The running world is full of myths and online you can find lots of advice from influencers and so-called specialists. But what is true and […]
Jeroen Stoof, preparing for The Great Escape
The Great Escape, a hundred mile race in the midst of the central Ardennes in Belgium, through wafer thin mists, thick forest and over small trails with panoramic views. That’s the race the Dutch ultra runner Jeroen Stoof is preparing for. Four and a half months to go and he will be on the starting […]
My takeaways from the BUT 50
A little walk today, that’s it. My body is protesting after the BUT 50 of yesterday. My right knee and my right foot are painful. I think 2 ultras in 8 days is a little bit too much for me at this moment. That’s lesson one. Let’s look at the other takeaways from the BUT […]
BUT: 3 personal records in one day
Oops, only 5 kilometers into the Brabantse Ultra Trail 50k (BUT) and my gluteus medius, the muscles on the side of my hips, are already protesting. This is going to be an interesting race. I expected my legs to protest today, just not so quickly. I mean, last week I ran the Mighty Marathon at […]
My race plan for the Brabantse Ultra Run
Okay, maybe it’s a bit naive to spontaneously decide to run an ultra, but the thing is I want to have another 50 kilometer in my legs before I run the Dolomiti Extreme Trail. So here is my race plan for the Brabantse Ultra Run. RELATED: Should I run another ultra this weekend? I know […]
Podcast: Sara Bigatti, the runner
Sara Bigatti is a yogini, yoga teacher and the CEO of La Scimmia Yoga, our online yoga platform, but since October last year she is a runner as well. A trail runner to be precise. In this podcast we will talk about her first steps on the trails and look how yoga can benefit runners […]
Should I run another ultra this weekend?
We’re out for a little run. After a day in the taxi, airport, plane and car it feels great to run. I don’t know about you, but I feel better when I move than when I sit still. Plus it gives me the time to clear my head and ask myself: should I run another […]
No running in the Alps for me
The Dutch comedian Harrie Jekkers used to say: ‘Plans only go wrong when they get executed’. Well, today my plan to run in the Alps went wrong. My legs aren’t ready to run again, so I gave them an extra day of rest. I knew it was a big guess; doing some mountain running a […]
I am in shock
What can I say? I am in shock. I just checked the results of the Dolomiti Extreme Trail (DXT) of last year. It took the last runners fourteen and a half hours to complete the 55 kilometers and 3.800 meters of altitude. I’m normally among the last finishers. I’ve never raced for 14 hours. It’s […]
Long live the crew!
Her smile … sigh … A quick kiss and I’m on my way. Twelve kilometers to go to the next refreshment post, where I will see here again. I can do this. Running is so much easier with a crew on my side. This crew-thing is all new for me. New for us. Us is […]
Five lessons from the Mighty Marathon
Home again. A kind of stopover, as we’re leaving tomorrow for Italy. The Mighty Marathon was the start of a very, very busy summer; running-wise, working-wise. So, what are the five lessons I can take away from the Mighty Marathon? RELATED: A Muddy Mighty Marathon More altitude training I’ve got a month and a […]
A Muddy Mighty Marathon
Twenty three kilometers done. My feet are finally touching some asphalt instead of sinking away in mud. This last part through the forest was killing; so steep, so muddy. I needed my running poles to scramble up the hills. It took all the energy out of my legs, and I still have 22 more kilometers […]
Running on polenta
I am in Lierde, close to Geraardsbergen, Belgium. I got my Bib number. Now I only need a race plan for the Mighty Marathon of tomorrow. A race plan and polenta. RELATED: My legs are ready for the Mighty Marathon Okay, I admit it’s a bit late to think about a race plan, but I […]
Shokz OpenRun Pro, a review
My legs don’t want to run anymore, but they have to. I’ve run 37 kilometers. Only 37, because I have to run 52. It’s time for some distraction. It’s time for a podcast. It’s time for my Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones. Okay, that sounds a lot like an advertisement, but trust me it isn’t. The […]
Should I run with a power meter?
I run by using heart rate, not by using pace. I’m a trail runner. The terrain I run on continuously changes, so heart rate works for me. But should I change this? Should I run with a power meter? RELATED: Run slow to become fast I’ve seen Stryd passing by a few times on Instagram. […]
My legs just can’t run that fast
It’s marathon season. Or maybe even marathon week. Rotterdam and Manchester last weekend, Boston yesterday, London – and of course the Mighty Marathon – next weekend. Bashir Abdi won Rotterdam in 2 hours 3 minutes and 47 seconds. That’s 2 minutes and 56 seconds per kilometer. I can’t even run 1 kilometer in 3 minutes. […]
Oops!… I Did It Again
Oops!… I Did It Again. I signed up for a race. This time for the Kullamannen. Oh baby baby, I am gonna run in Sweden. Hmm, I don’t think I should enter a career as a songwriter. Maybe I should leave that to Britney Spears, or whoever wrote her songs. Maybe I should just focus […]
Trail running as a nice day out
We’re in the Amerongse Bos, making our way towards the Lonely Oak, an old tree that stands in the middle of this forest. Normally we wouldn’t run here, as Amerongen is an hour and a half by car from our place. Yet, today is the Amerongse Berg Trail (12 kilometers), so we’re making a nice […]
My legs are ready for the Mighty Marathon
Next week around this time I’ll be running the Mighty Marathon at the MUT Festival. My legs are ready for it. At least, that’s how they feel today. RELATED: Running up the Wall of Geraardsbergen A lot can happen in a week, but I think I’ve trained pretty good. Okay, last week I had hoped […]
Altitude training in Como coming up
Just a couple of days and Sara and I will be in Italy; visiting her parents. That gives me the option to run in the mountains around Como. I’m really looking forward to that. Real mountains! According to Sara they are not real mountains. The Italians call them the pre-Alps, because they are not as […]
Run slow to become fast
Running slow is the secret to running fast. I know, that sounds like a contradiction, but there is actually a very logical reason behind it. So, let’s explore why you should run slow to become fast. The concept of running slowly has a lot of different names: 80/20 running, low heart rate training, Maffetone Method, […]
My legs feel weird
Nine days to go to the MUT Festival. I am out for a run. My legs feel weird today. They have been so good in the last couple of days, but I think the strength training of last Monday has changed that feeling. Let’s see how they will be tomorrow, when I will run with […]
A running photoshoot
My friend and photographer Richard van Hoek once taught me: ‘Always look for backgrounds. You can control the person in front of it, but never the background’. Whenever I’m in a city, that’s what I do; looking for beautiful backgrounds for a photoshoot. But not just in a city, also in the forest. To be […]
Working on my leg strength
Twelve days to go to the MUT Festival, 1 month to ERYRI Snowdonia and 2 months to the Dolomiti Extreme Trail. It’s time to work on my leg strength. It’s time to create mountain legs. Okay, I live in one of the flattest parts of one of the flattest countries in the world, so going […]
My low back needs yoga
On bed, doing yin yoga. I should be out for a run now. My second run of today, but my low back doesn’t let me run. It needs yoga. It went wrong an hour ago. Sara and I were out on the land, placing posts on the border between our land and that of the […]
My shoulder doesn’t let me sleep
Another low energy day. I don’t feel awake and I don’t feel like I’ll wake up today. Although it’s already afternoon. I haven’t had a proper night of sleep all week. Same problem as before; my shoulder doesn’t let me sleep. It’s almost half a year now that I have a frozen shoulder. I am […]
Sara broke her 5k personal record
Yes! Sara just ran a new personal record on the 5 kilometers; 31 minutes and 13 seconds. That’s 59 seconds faster than her old record. I’m super proud of her. RELATED: The fun of being an old runner Okay, this time she ran on the road. The old record she set on a trail. The […]
The head weighs heavier than the legs
Running, trail running can be a lonely affair. I mean if you’re not part of a running group, it’s just you out there, running alone. Figuring out everything on your own. Luckily more and more runners write about their adventures. For example Olivier Verhaege, an ultra runner from Belgium. He wrote The head weighs heavier […]
Time is my biggest enemy
Out for a run. I am happy to be out this morning. It’s a perfect running morning. At the same time I’m not happy. I should be behind my desk working. I guess time is my biggest enemy these days. The sun shines, yet it’s fresh. At some places the grass is still white from […]
The fun of being an old runner
I’m old. Maybe not for a human being, but for a runner I am. Especially for a newbie runner. I mean, I (re)started running at the age of 48. Sara started at the age of 43. But it’s fun being an old runner. Okay, I might not finish among the top 10 percent of a […]
Where do all these ultra runners come from?
This is my second running life. I ran the Rotterdam Marathon in 1995 and not long after I had to stop running, because of an ankle injury. In those days the marathon was an impressive distance. Now-a-days a marathon it’s just the baby brother of an ultra, but where do all these ultra runners come […]
Sara is a non-sprinting Pitta
Let’s get back to Ayurveda again. Simply because I love it. Let’s look at Sara. Maybe you’ve been doing live yoga classes with her at one of her workshops and retreats in Italy, or maybe you’ve been doing yoga with her on our La Scimmia Yoga platform. Maybe you can guess, maybe not. Sara is […]
Struggling with Garmin’s lactate threshold test
Okay, I just finished my Garmin lactate threshold test and I am a bit surprised. My score today is the same as my score on January 17. I am struggling to believe that. I definitely ran further today than in January. To be able to compare my scores, I always run the same course. Okay, […]
I am no good at any distance
So what am I? What type of runner am I? I asked you the question yesterday, based on Ayurveda (Indian medicine), but what about me? The runner who is no good at any distance. RELATED: What type of runner are you? I can tell you precisely what I am. I am a Vata. I’ve been […]
What type of runner are you?
What type of runner are you? Do you have the body to be a sprinter, a marathon runner or maybe a 1.500 meter runner? And how can you know that? Ayurveda, Indian medicine, might be able to give you a clear answer with just one look in the mirror. We are all built differently. Some […]
The legs are still tired
Almost 15 kilometers done of my trail run here in the Lommelse Sahara. I don’t feel so fresh anymore. Fifteen kilometers of running is nothing these days, but I guess my legs are still tired from my ultra run in Sussex a week and a half ago. RELATED: Mud wrestling at Endurance life Sussex I […]
We’re going on a trail running holiday
Yes, it’s done. We have booked. We’re going on a trail running holiday to Austria. It won’t be for a while, but it’s something to look forward to. Okay, trail running holiday is a big word. We won’t be running every day. Well, not all of us. Maybe half of us. But the idea is […]
Multi stage running trail
Wow, I just saw the Trans Alpine Run, a multi stage trail run. It looked super cool. Not that I am able to do it (now) – no worries Sara – but it is something to dream off. I came across the run when somebody I follow on Instagram posted a picture of the race. […]
Am I an ultra runner?
A question I’ve asked myself a lot lately is: Am I an ultra runner? A long distance runner? Or do I prefer shorter trail runs? I get bored very quickly. It’s part of who I am. Yoga philosophy has a nice explanation for it, which I will share with you soon. When I’m running for […]
Four seasons in one day
We’re out for a run. I’m hot, I’m overdressed. I’m cold, I’m under-dressed. Pfff, I’m getting soaked, I should have brought my rain jacket. No clue what’s going on today. It feels like four seasons in one day. I heard the expression Four seasons in one day for the first time when I was living […]
Time for a new training schedule
Last day of rest. Tomorrow I’m allowed to run again. I’m really looking forward to it. The few days of rest were nice, but now I want to run again. Not sure how far I will go, as I have to make a new training schedule. It won’t be far. Just a little recovery run, […]
Exercises for strong and flexible feet
We run on our feet. They are our foundation. That’s why it’s important to have strong and flexible feet. So here are some strengthening exercises for your feet. As you probably know, I’ve been injured for more than 25 years. Now I’m running again. Last Saturday I even finished my first ultra run; the 53 […]
Low on energy
My first ultra in Sussex was four days ago. I feel a little bit empty at this moment. My legs are okay, but I’m low on energy. I like to run, but I should rest, which – funny enough – makes me restless. RELATED: Mud wrestling at Endurance life Sussex I am also not very […]
Five lessons from my Sussex ultra
I’ve done it, yet the best is still to come. Well hopefully the best is still to come, as the Dolomiti Extreme Trail is my main event for this year. Sussex was a test. A test to see if I could run 50 kilometers. So, let’s see what five lessons I can learn from the […]
Super Sara’s success in Sussex
We’re on our way back to the Netherlands. These few days have been amazing. I’m proud of myself for finishing my first ultra. I think I am allowed to be. But maybe I am even more proud of Sara. My Super Sara, because Sussex was her biggest running success so far. RELATED: Mud wrestling at […]
Out for a walk in Sussex
Sara and I are out for a walk this morning. It’s the day after the Endurance Life Sussex, the ultra for me, and the 10 kilometers for Sara. I have to say my legs feel surprisingly good. Sara just has a little bit of pain in her left knee. That’s all. RELATED: Mud wrestling at […]
Mud wrestling at Endurance life Sussex
Tears roll down my eyes when I cross the finish line and fall into Sara’s arms. I’ve done it. I made it. My first ultra. My big goal; running 50 kilometers, at the age of fifty. And what an ultra it has been. This wasn’t running, this was mud wrestling, here at the Endurance life […]
Should I have a race plan for Sussex?
One more night to my first ultra run, here in Sussex, England. Should I come up with a race plan, or just run? I mean ultras are unpredictable. Yet, the experts say you should run with your head. RELATED: Making it to the starting line I’ve got a lot of questions at this moment. First […]
Trail running with a Quiver, a review
Trail running with running poles or not? It’s a question I’ve asked myself a lot. Yes, I like the poles while running uphill, no I don’t like them going downhill. So where to leave them? Well in the Quiver of Salomon, an extra bag you can attach to your running vest. I bought it and […]
Seven Sisters Sussex
Three more nights to my first ultra run. We’re in England. In the Tiger Inn, in East Dean, a little village close to Eastbourne, where our trail run starts coming Saturday. And close to the Seven Sisters, the famous series of chalk cliffs on the English coast. RELATED: How am I doing? Trail running for […]
Making it to the starting line
Four nights to Endurance Life Sussex. With the race coming closer, I start to wonder; am I failing if I don’t make it? It would feel like a failure to me, but for every ultra run, for every marathon isn’t it an achievement in itself to make it to the starting line? Don’t get me […]
How am I doing?
Five more nights and I am going to run my first ultra run ever, the Endurance Life Sussex. So, how am I doing? Am I ready? Yes I am. No I am not. Um, I don’t know. Can you ever be ready to run an ultra? Only 53 kilometers Okay, the real ultra runners […]