Race day

Day started with a beautiful blue sky. No thunderstorms nor promised clouds on the horizon. Yet no message about cancellations — no way back. Weather accepted.

Tram, train, walk, toilet, starting area, search for shade, toilet again, back to starting area, warmup in sun, quick retreat to shade. Pain was still present in right leg — my hope was it will somehow go away by itself. Pain accepted.

Start. Heart rate 160 — ambitious plan was to accelerate after 21km.

After 10km I was still surprised that the right leg stayed quiet. Instead the left one decided to get into the spotlight (probably got not enough attention during the previous 2 weeks). Pain in calf, numb, pain again — but nothing to worry about. Especially on race day.

21km — Houten. Running the Ka-Path (which refers to Kasloot waterway and has nothing to do with S. King novels) was a really remarkable experience. Places I run alone — now shared with thousands of people running towards the same goal — reach the finish line. Later run through the city — familiar faces, neighbours, my wife and kids; it was like coming back home after a long trip. This was the true culmination moment of this project. I could have stopped back then — for me the run had reached its goal. Yet there were 21km left.

Running further I was still amazed — was sure that the body will just stop somewhere after 20km. Injury, heat, fitness level — there were enough convincing reasons for this. Slightly slower but still forward.

Smell of fried fish and beer — a definite sign we were entering Utrecht. As always the city showed its great energy. Managed to raise my head enough to see the Dom tower; after that, back to the 5m of brick road just in front of me. Focused on each small minivictory against the distance.

Time seemed to slow down (or was it me). Each kilometre was taking ages to cross. This is the moment I discovered the real power behind this project. I was carrying it for the whole preparation phase. Now at 35km it started to carry me forward: “just keep moving” was the only thought I kept in mind. And a feeling that somehow all is connected — remote support, donations, this exact moment. All created a single experience that was pulling me towards the finish line.

2km, 1km, 500m, last gate, cold sprinkle, medal, pure happiness and coconut water.

It was a hard race. Pace was the worst I ever had. And yet this was also the best run of my life. Was time to go back home.