Geschreven door Arnout Schothorst
It has been a long dream to run a marathon and off course it had to be in my town of birth: Rotterdam. I set myself a challenging target below 3.30 hours, which means 12.5+ km/h or 5 min per kilometer. I completed my training goals, had a good gel – and water plan and my new shoes were incredible in last trainings. All set to achieve great things!
At the start
It was a beautiful morning: not much wind, 12 degrees, sunny and the atmosphere unbelievable!! It started great, my pace was incredible and effortless at 4:35 min per kilometer. Enjoyed ‘de Erasmusbrug’, ‘de Rotterdam’ and ‘de Kuip’. A beautiful route. At 12k I starting feeling a light ache in my left thigh. That’s quite a blow so early in the race. I have been training with a lot pain, however that was usually from 22K onwards. Nonetheless I thought let’s run a bit, because I should see my mom any time soon. We are in the south of Rotterdam now, close to my elderly home. There she was with Henk and I did some stretching to release some of the tension that was building in my left leg. On my way again, so many people in the South. So grateful for the all the cheers, I could hold my pace of 4.35 km/h. On my way to a super finish time of 3:15/3.20!
Running through memory lane, seeing some friends along the road. However the ache become a serious pain at 17k. Furthermore, my new shoes were starting to hurt. I stopped a few times for targeted stretching but no difference. Also trying find a stone in my shoe, nothing there. I just had to deal with it. My mom and Henk were now biking alongside me and I still had a very good pace.
Back to the city centre across the Erasmusbrug I experienced ‘The Sublime’. Passing 25k with pain, blisters and my right thigh was also now also hurting. The agony, the blue skies, the white bridge, thousands of people cheering, my mom again, and my dad.. not together, but close.. Goosebumps and chills throughout my body from the pain and emotions.. A little later, just before 30k, I saw my kids, Wieteke and her dad. Sheer love, all the positive energy helped me managing my pains and I was still running 4:45/4.50. a finish time of 3.20/3.25 was becoming reality.
Then the infamous ‘Kralingse Bos’. A windy part with little supports, around a small lake. Both legs are now killing me, I had the luck of having my brother on the bike next to me. So I was managing, pace was going down but still under 5:00 per km. 32, 33, 34 past. At the 35k a water station, I walked to take my time to drink. Until then my gel, paracetamol and water plan had been excellent. But now I was getting really depleted and my legs, ohhww my legs.. the pain… the hurt.. the torment… How would I ever be able to run again.. Also I trained until 32k now I am in uncharted territory. People warned me for this. It is all about the last 10k. It is a torture but just do it, you will make it now. For me it felt like it has been a torture from 17k onwards.
Nonetheless I start running again. Thinking about my training and all the advice I got. Pieter taught me to focus all the things that went well. Thinking about my technique, ‘hoog lopen en arm inzet’ I hear Paul say. ‘Schouders naar beneden’ thank you Danielle. Trying to distract my senses with the atmosphere. Thinking and visualising the end goal: the finish line in 3.29 at least, please?!! It was a game of running and walking. Picking up the pieces and just keep moving forward. At 38K the pacers for a 3:30 past me by. Ok run, just run, stick to that group and you will make it! However slowly I was dropping out of this group. Devastating, yes… And no, the 1000 metres mark, time for my final finish line sprint, I got one, I know it, I have it, that is me, I am famous for it, no matter what. With laser focus on the finish line and the pacers I starting to increase my pace, I gave all I got. I heard my family shouting me onwards, they were all at finish line area. I did not have the strength to wave back or say anything. And could not use the distraction to give a curtesy salute. Still so thankful. Almost there, 30 meters till the pacers and 100 meters till the finish. Past as many people as I could and crossed the line in 3:28:55!!!
Finish
After the finish I did not feel happy, I felt dead, so tired, so empty. I guess my body was mad at me, denying my brain feelings of relive and happiness. I honestly still cannot say if I enjoyed it. However I can say one thing: I am really really proud!
This was my last race as member of Dolfijn. I want to thank all the trainers and members for all the advice and support throughout the years. I have grown from a somebody who did some triathlons to somebody who knows how to do triathlons and all its components. Most off all it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed every moment of it! We see each other in races and I would still like to come to the track every now and then.
All the best regards,
Arnout
