Happy New Year 2013

I love New Year’s Eve. For me it is the day where I turn the page and start a new one. Because 2012 was not my favourite year with my knee injury which caused me not to be too happy about.

Honestly I can’t wait for midnight to tick … I am clicking the delete button to remove all the things that made me sad! On the other hand I am keeping the beautiful moment like my hubby's MBA graduation and job promotion and of course having my precious little D in my life.

2012 was black and white. I had goals and I kept so hard trying to achieve them but the harder I tried the more I got disappointed because I couldn’t adjust to the new situation!  I believe everything happens for a reason and because of that I am the strong woman that I am today!

I started 2012 with the wrong foot but it was a life lesson. Life can get in the way but after my 2012 experience, I learned that life can throw you off track and mess up your plans. But that doesn’t mean you have to throw in the towel and give up. You have to be realistic and easy on yourself. When you feel off track and you don’t feel like you are accomplishing your goals, relax a bit, realize that the situation won’t go on forever and then get yourself right back on track. Goals and resolutions should be flexible and fluid. They should always be in the back of your mind and you should always be making small efforts to try and accomplish them, but when life gets in the way, don’t use it as an excuse to quit. Use it as a resting period for all your previous hard work. Enjoy the rest, then get right back on track. Look at it as just a little bump in the road that caused some ripples in your plan. It didn’t destroy your plan.

I am so positive about 2013, I know it is going to be a healthy year! Already the end of 2012 has been only but amazing and that’s a good end of a new beginning!

2013 is going to different than previous years. This time in place of having too many goals I have only one goal. This goal is “Love the life I live, live the life I love” . In other words, the sky is the limit and with the support of the people who truly love me I am just going to do the things that makes me happy and and are the best for me and for my little family!

So if this means running Boston marathon in April 2013 or running my 1st trail in August or road biking my 1st race in July or doing more triathlons? THEN THIS IS GONNA BE IT!

 

I wish you all an awesome 2013 :-)

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SantaRun & TwitRun

How fun can running be? 

Q- Santa Run

Santa-Nes on the left before the start! :)

Every year before Christmas there is few runs where you get to wear your Santa clause outfit and run! Few weeks back I heard of the Q music Santa Run a 5.5 km race in Ijstelstein which is not too far from where I live. I got all excited but the only disadvantage of that run that it is on a Thursday evening which means I have to work a full day before I can get to run. 

 At first I was going to run with Falko who won the race last year but he was not feeling well on that day he had to cancel. On Thursday it was raining so hard and I had a Birthday Party in the evening. The combination made me a little hesitant but with some self motivation I decided   

                                                                   to Just Do IT!!

I left work a little later than I wanted, due to meetings and rushed to Ijstelstein, I arrived 15 min before the start of the race. I parked my car and run fast under the rain and picked up my start number and my Santa hat. I bumped into Ans who was also going to run with some friends. After a small chit chat with her I headed to the start. The atmosphere was very nice with music, a stadium and warm up drills...

At 18:30, the dutch artist Isle Delange fired the start gun for the Q- Santa run. I started running and after 1 km I had to stop because car were driving and no one was stopping them but  then started running again. Despite the stop,  I enjoyed my run so much along the road people of the town were cheering up.
Before I even think about it I was already at the finish line. I crossed the finish line as a 1st lady from about 150 SantaWomen and 19th overall from 406 SantaRunners with a time of 23' 44.
With a big smile, from the finish line , I drove fast to my house, got refreshed and headed to the birthday party! That was a busy day but just being able to combine everything gives me a self satisfaction feeling but also I would never been able to do it without the support of my big fan!

Losseveter Link: Vermeulen en Leene winnen in Ijsselstein

TwitRun
TwitRun is a run with runners that maybe you have met before or maybe not but you know each other via twitter and share the same passion:Running! In the past I read about twitter run here and there but I never got the chance to attend one.  I got via facebook an invitation from Wendy and Martin couple weeks ago and manged to make it this time.

Wendy, Yvonne, Onno and Paul

Dave, Edwin, Martin, Annelies, Bianca

At 10:00 I met with other 17 TwitRunners in Heemskerk a town where I have never been to. Martin makes a speech and explains that a group will run about 10 km with Annelies as a guide and another group about 15km with Martin as a guide.

Edwin, Rob, Onno, Marten, Edwin, Jan, Bianca, Dave, Paul, Tim,
Me, Yvonne, Marcel, Wendy
Dave, Martin, Annelies, Jolande

I chose to go with the 15 km group. Martin made sure to work us out but no one was unhappy because you still can run your own pace. He took us on a beautiful road in the woods with uphills and downhills toward the sea. Once we climbed the last hill and got the the view of the sea, I got speechless...it is so beautiful!! The sand was not super hard so it made me worry about my knee but thanks god I almost didn't feel anything, the wind was blowing the direction we were running so this made it even nicer to just run and run! The sound of the waves, the cracking sound under my feet and the breeze of the wind blowing in my hair  made me daydream!! I simply loved it!! After 2.5 km on the sand we met up with the other group took a small picture moment and headed back to the starting point.

I was almost sad it was over, I was already asking when are you we coming back again?

At the parking I changed into something dry and warm and went to have a cup of coffee with everyone else.

Me and Bianca

Thank you Wendy and Martin for organizing this event!

Ameland Adventure Run

Ameland HM Parcours

I am not sure how to fit this whole adventure weekend in one Blog! I had an awesome weekend in Ameland with 10 other runners in one house!
"The WellNess Farm"



Back in May, Silvia sent messages and emails around for the people who would like to go to Ameland the island. The deal is to leave on Friday Dec 14th share a house, on saturday run a HM or a 10 km or 5 km race then in the evening enjoy a night together and on Sunday head back home. Back in May I was injured but I wanted to have something to look forward to in the hope that in December my knee injury will be fixed and I will be able to run a HM. I signed up for the weekend away not knowing what to expect or not even knowing if I will be able to run a HM

The Ameland Club members are: Silvia, Ellemiek, Yvonne, Esther, Merit, Andrea, Harm, Marcel, Edwin, Ronald and myself.

Ameland is my 2nd Half marathon of the year since my injury and I didnt really have a big goal but deep in my heart I wanted to run just a little faster then 1:36 which was the time of the WeststrandWegRun. I was also not sure how my knee would react on the sand and in the forest with the hills.

2 weeks before Ameland my mailbox was exploding with messages about this weekend away. Who should do the shopping what we are going to cook and drink which restaurant we are going to , who is coming and who is not coming anymore, who is driving with who, where shall we meet, what time the boat leaves which car is going to the island, the costs and so on... Not only my mailbox was exploding but also my twitter account!!! Since I turned off the notification from my phone when I receive a tweet, there are days after not checking my twitter for couple days I get shocked to see over  50 mentions!!  Geez what am I missing here? All these tweets were about #AmelandHereWeCome and the fun weekend with the 11 of us! Not being very active on twitter I forgot how fun it is and I got back in the groove of enjoying to tweet again and talk to everyone who shares my passion: RUNNING!!

Everything went as planned. Esther drove 2 hours all the way from the south and spent the night at my place on thursday. We had dinner together and John dropped by we had a nice evening! On Friday morning after a nice breakfast I went with Esther to do the grocery shopping for 11 people before we hit the road to Holwerd and catch the boat to Ameland. Shopping was exciting! We had 2 full carts of groceries!!

Shopping for 11 Ameland travellers

!

The boat was planned to leave at 13:30 and the plan was to meet with Ronald, Merit, Yvonne en Marcel who came all together in one car and also Edwin, Andrea and Harm who came with their own way of transportation. Ronald was going to take his car to the island so we had to put all our bags and groceries in his car.

Driving like a crazy Esther and me arrived barely on time to Holwerd where everyone beside Silvia and Ellemiek who were catching the later boat, were waiting for us....Thats how it went and that is how I saw it and the way I keep seeing it >>>>The moment Ronald and Co. saw my car pulling in the parking they started jumping waving screaming so I go fast and park my car next to Ronald's car and before I even open my door to say hello to everyone all doors of my car and trunck were open  the grocery and bags were out and when I stepped out of the car I look around and  my car was empty!! I was like what the hell!!! Honeslty that deserves a prize for the best team work!!! :-)

 Ronald went fast to place his car on the ship and  we headed  to the boat. A 20 min ride already laughing and having a good time and these were the signs of a great fun weekend ahead of us.

On the island  we started to walk toward the house waiting for Ronald to drop the grocery and pick us up. Andrea decided to run to the house!!  The wind was hard but we enjoyed couple km of walk in  in the City of " Nes" where I had to take a foto since most close people call me Nes for short ;)





Thats our house!! A beautiful house with 6 bedrooms, a swimming pool, a sauna.... We got installed almost every 2 of us shared a bedroom I was sharing a room with Esther. We waited for Silvia and Ellemiek to arrive. Ellemiek was also bringing her car to the island. Once they arrived we had a nice sushi snack that was delicious and Silvia cooked pasta for everyone later on.




I was so full from the sushi I had a salad later on and enjoyed couple glasses of wine with my meal. Then we all went to the swimming pool and sauna and didn't sleep till 1 or 2 am I dont even know anymore.... We laughed so much we talked we joked we had a fun evening, time flew away!! We were all relaxed since the race doesn't start till 14:00 next day so no stress of going early to bed.

I went to sleep later, I had a long pants, long sleeves pyjamas on and it was very warm in the bedroom and the bed was not the most comfortable one... I thought I will sleep till 10 am but unfortunately it didn't go as planned. I was sweating and I was full awake at 5 am. I had 3 hours of sleep!! I went downstairs to have coffee with Yvonne and Edwin.  For breakfast I had a small toast, I was nervous because my knee was a little sensitive from all the jumping in the swimming pool the night before and I wanted to run good!

We went 2 cars to the start to see the finish of the 5 km where Andrea finished 2nd and to catch the start of the 10 km where Yvonne, Ellemiek and Marcel were part of. Then Merit, Esther, Silvia, Ronald and I got ready for the HM. Ronald and I were starting in the first start slot since we are part of the professional runners. At the start I meet with @Hero who finished first of the men in his age group! Respect!!Ronald recognized other people he knew. Ronald his goal is to run his best and in worst case scenario he will wait for me...

Start took off and I stayed few meters behind Ronald, Km 1 went too fast for me at 4:09 but I felt good I thought well just do your best Nes! Up and down in the forest then a small down and then again a steep up and here I was running on the sand along a beautiful beach .. My knee felt ok I was also feeling strong ...Every km went by I checked my Garmin to see that I am running at average pace of 4'10 I was surprised that I am running at this pace but it felt good and I kept seeing Ronald few meters ahead of me... At the end of the sand a steep uphill on soft sand I run it fast and suddenly I felt obnoxious  I felt light headed as If I was empty... everything was gone...I had no more energy!!  I did not even reach km 9!! I stopped, I walked I Jogged slowly till the water post which was just after km 10. I had something to drink and a slice of orange...I felt more energized and started to run again and I put a positive attitude I said to myself " come on Nes you can do it at least it is not your knee that is hurting you and if you don't finish in a good time you would have made a good training from it!" By the time I arrived at km 13 I had a sharp pain in my belly and I couldn't go anymore. My tears started to run on my face I stopped I walked I run again and I couldn't.I thought I would wait for Silvia and we will run together.... While waiting I started to freeze of cold I tried to jog again but the belly pain was sharp like cramps!! This is it.... I would hate to say I gave up, I didn't !! My body was not cooperating!! A sweet lady saw me shivering and tearfully in pain. She offered me a ride back to the start...without words I sit next to her and I go to the start.... When I arrived I heard Ronald's name on the speaker he just crossed the finish line in 1:39... I walked toward him in disappointments!! I still had no words, he told me he waited for me few times, he also had a tough time on that course he was not feeling fit to run his best!! He was still smiling and happy! He tried to cheer me up and tried to make me laugh... I whatsapped Marcel if someone could come and pick me up from those who were already at house.

So sweet of Marcel in few minutes he was there and took me back to the house while Ronald was waiting for the rest to finish and give them a ride back. I was still sitting and over analysing what went wrong but now thinking about it, what went wrong it was a combination of mistakes. Very little sleep, not enough food, not enough water after the wine of the night before and most importantly I think of myself as if I am a super woman!! How on earth did I dare to start so fast? I have been running exactly 3 months since my injury and not on a specific training just on the go,  making my own training without guidance... what made me think that I can start at 4'10 and finish? Sometimes my ambition and self motivation make me forget the reality!! My body was not even close to handle such a speed, I need to train and train before I can race at that level!!
Well from this race I learned a lot. Honestly I am not running for time anymore ...the next few races are going to be just for the feeling.... Today my knee was not feeling 100% so this is a bigger reason  to run and build my fitness and slowly build up my speed... I am forgetting that for 9 months I almost didn't do anything!! Honestly what was I thinking??? We live and learn right?

Well after I showered and caught up with everyone my smile was back on my face and I was ready for an awesome evening. Everyone was happy with their results. Yvonne finished without pain, Esther run the whole HM on her vibram shoes, Marcel, Ellemiek, Silvia, Merit and Edwin did not push it but they were satisfied!

In the evening we headed to a restaurant and then we spent the night at the house talking laughing till 3:30 am. I laughed so hard with everyone else and especially the girls!

Next day we woke up slowly, Yvonne and Marcel wanted a ride with me, Esther left her car at my place, so Marcel after a very short night of sleeping he agreed to drive my car to Zaandam where we said goodbye and with Esther I headed back to my home to my boys whom I missed a lot!

Ameland is called an adventure run for a reason, that whole weekend was an adventure. Next time if I go to Ameland I will not focus on the race and most likely I will run a 5 km because being able to sleep on time and be fit in a house with 10 other people is not possible....They are way too much fun!!

Ameland Here I came and Here I will come again! 

Thank you Ameland Club for that wonderful weekend!!

Power Song

Do you ever listen to music and from the lyrics you feel so strong?

Like AWESOMENESS?

I am packing heading for a 3 day weekend away with some FUN runner friends to run my second Half marathon of 2012 on an a beautiful island called Ameland! I am so excited because I am going to race again and so excited that I am gong to spend a super nice weekend.....In the background the music of this song are on full speaker ...

This Girl Is on Fire!!

Enjoy!