Meanwhile, I stumble been two days with my head in the clouds around and about the marathon adventure on. Everything hurts, and if it did not hurt, hobble you to do just to get the question of acquaintances and colleagues why you run so hard. That and, of course, to exploit as much as possible the moment when your partner. "Because you're such a topper"
Well go back to D-Day, 10 April.
As most have since understood it, thanks to the hidden talent Mart, TVB was well represented in Rotterdam. In total, I come to 10 TVBers, Cees, Walter, Martin, Stef, Co, Michiel, Janwim, Michelle, Niels and I. Largely we traveled together by train to the Coolsingel. The tension was read from all faces, and the nerves were tasty projected onto each other by teasing. So it was, incidentally already 12 soak. Nice show dicks thought Martin and walked on arrival at the station pontifical in the other direction! Success is not rocket science but focus focus I had pressed him on the heart, but well what do I need a seasoned pro like Martin now even fool.
I actually made myself over the distance / and conditional form not so much concerned. For more about the condition of my knee where I am in the weeks prior to the marathon still is bothered them. Before changing clothes had Janwim inzak just a moment as he remembered was his coffee moment but fortunately picked up well. Co forgot to turn the wardrobe uncheck tender and had unexpectedly returned to the station to his bag there, stopping in a locker.
Stef Walter and stood on the right side of the start. I got together with Michael and Cees in for the 2de wave, and Co and Janwim stood before us back to the 1ste wave. The rest of the I have not seen or attention. Co Janwim and waited for us until we could start well and so we finally have jointly launched. At least, First still stand a good hour in the start box shivering, and almost let it ruin Lee Towers moment due zanikende tukker to your head. Happy hold a race in Rotterdam, if he even she could shut up, later he was allowed to continue dicks again. Nog 10 minute wait for 2de schot start of meute ging in the.
On the Friday before the marathon at the members meeting had nutritionist tell you are pretty moisture you in 45 minutes before your match drink will be sweat and gives no pressure. nice theory, I did not notice it. Twice I had to pee in the start and twice on the road.
Already in the first few kilometers I was by, I must let go of min / km time and just go enjoy walking and sooner said than done. The half marathon I ran anyway still obliged pace. At the 15 km point, I saw not far behind me Michiel sit still. Michael was in the starting box, still expressed a desire to run a negative split, So when the proverbial man with the hammer at the 30km point him here in my neck explained I was waiting for Michael to come by whistling. I felt the tap on my shoulder all. But it did not. 35km ... no not yet. 40km no no Michiel. And remained so until the finish.
Everyone I talked to said the same preparation: A marathon is just 10km, the last 10, and nothing could be further from the truth. From the moment you turn into that wretched Kralingen forest is as if your legs as toothpaste tubes are pushed empty. On the 30km you just have your precious seen standing and you went full courage more, But what a tragedy. Around you get more and more people walk. Athletes lie along the side of the road or are discharged, it is a battlefield. The only thing in my head was going, Mark keep walking, not stand still. When I after 42.195 km over the finish came I was glad I had not stopped. All stores in 1 time fixed.
If a guy 80 I walked to the exit where the other men were waiting. Allemaal stuk voor stuk een PR gelopen. Martin en Stef onder de 3 uur, what an toppers. And in the end everyone finished. Petje of, more for Michelle, last May started in the startup group and running a year later, just as a marathon! Wat een toppers.
And so then you have to stick in and it's ready. Should you suddenly do fun again on Friday night with your friends in the pub. Can you suddenly sleep late on Sundays. And you finally that bullshit of those guys off. But all joking aside, Cees, Walt, Co, Stef was great to train with you in recent weeks, I'm not convinced that I could accomplish it without you so! See you next year?
Last but not least, I almost forgot, but naturally thanks all supporters! It was great for the occasional familiar face seen standing along the line.
Mark de Jong
Wonderful adventure Mark! You've been training hard for a memorable result, where you can be proud of.
Beautiful reporting a stunning performance. And if you ever want to stop exercising (which of course makes no sense) you can always do reporting ?.