Ever wanted to experience what running a full marathon feels like, without leaving your couch? Now you can! 😄
After quite a few requests, I’ve uploaded the full 4.5-hour recording of my marathon livestream to YouTube. Watch it here: https://lnkd.in/dujTS4ky
4.5 hours of running. And yes, it hurt!
The first 20 kilometres actually went pretty well. After that, the pain in my legs and feet started to kick in.
Did you know that many marathon runners hit what’s known as “the wall” somewhere around the 30-kilometre mark? Your body stores carbohydrates as glycogen in your muscles and liver, but those reserves are limited. Once they start running low, things can get a lot tougher.
So, how do you prepare to run 42.2 kilometres?
I learned three things that genuinely helped me.
The first is carb loading.
In the two or three days before a marathon, you significantly increase your carbohydrate intake. My target was around 700 grams a day!
That meant lots of pasta, bread, rice and pancakes, while keeping my fat intake relatively low. And believe me, eating that much is a challenge in itself. I felt full pretty much all the time! 😅
The second was one of the best tips I received: eat and drink regularly throughout the race.
Don’t wait until you’re completely exhausted. By then, it might already be too late.
I kept taking on fluids and energy along the route, including my own energy gels, and it really helped.
The only downside? I had to make about five bathroom stops. 😂
The third tip came from Emiel: start slow!
And he was absolutely right.
At the beginning, you feel fantastic. Thousands of people are cheering you on, your legs are fresh, and you feel like speeding up. But 42.2 kilometres is a seriously long way!
For me, the pain started around kilometre 20. Fortunately, my energy levels stayed pretty good. My legs and feet were the ones really taking a beating.
And now I’m dealing with a very swollen ankle that needs some time to recover.
But was it worth it? Absolutely!
The route through Amsterdam was beautiful, the atmosphere was incredible, and the support from thousands of people is something I’ll never forget.
But you know what I enjoyed most?
The entire journey!
For six months, I had a goal to work towards. Every training session had a purpose, every kilometre brought me closer, and every bit of progress motivated me to keep going.
And that’s exactly what I love about business, too.
You need a point on the horizon. Something to work towards. A reason to get out of bed in the morning and challenge yourself to become a little better every day.
Crossing the finish line is fantastic, but the real value lies in everything you experience and learn along the way.
After six months of preparation, 42.2 kilometres of running, a finish time of 4 hours and 29 minutes, and more than €2,000 raised for the AutismeFonds, I can only say one thing:
What an incredible journey! ❤️
And now, time to recover.
