The 1179 Fastest Marathon Runners of the Netherlands ....

Last week I received Runner's World (for those of you who don't know, it is THE magazine for runners ... obviously). On the cover it said "The 1179 fastest marathon runners of the Netherlands" (2010). 1179 fastest marathon runners ... in the Netherlands ... I wondered, how fast these people were. In order to get on that list, you need to run the marathon below 3 hours if you are a man, and below 4 hours if you are a woman (lucky us!). So that made me think ... Could I possibly be on that list in 2011?? I know, my first and only marathon ended in 4:37 so that seems a long way to go, but then, that was my first, it was in hilly (LOVELY!) San Francisco ... Did I see a challenge here?

So what is it about me and running? I started over 7 years ago in Jordan, inspired and motivated by my dear friend Molly, who was totally into running. I had never run before (not as an individual sport that is) so I started with 1 minute intervals, built up to 10 minutes, from 10 to 12, to 15 etc. Then Molly came up with the idea to participate in the Dead Sea marathon (full for her, half for me, my first!), running from Amman to the Dead Sea, to the lowest point on Earth, and ALL down hill which looked easy enough. I ran the race, partially through a sand storm (not so much fun) and ended up with a shin splint (even less fun), but I finished! After the race I had to take a rest, a very long one, but ... my addiction had started. After the shin splint, there was the ankle and after the ankle there was the knee in 2008 ... and still ... I went to physiotherapy, rested for months at a time, but every time, undeterred, I returned back to running.


Running for me is a wonderful way to challenge myself, to always try to improve, run further, faster but also a great work-out that takes my mind of all the things that could possibly bother me and, because it empties your mind, it creates space to get great new ideas. I can run at any moment I want, anywhere I want, through beautiful, sometimes sunny, other times snow-white landscapes, greeting the animals and people I meet. I like running in the morning when the world is waking up. I know most of you have similar experiences, maybe with running (ok, this list is very long) but also with biking (my sister, Samir, Achim), rowing (Annemarie), kite-surfing (Simone), belly-dancing (Keely), yoga (Michelle, Alex) or cooking (Amy), to name a few.

The running has allowed for some wonderful experiences with amazing people. Running through the beautiful Jordanian dessert from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea with 8 people, 242K, 25 hours (2005). AMAZING! Then, running the Golden Gate Bridge both ways (despite the crowd, a dream come true!), and of course, the Ragnar Relay, 20 people, including runners, bikers, drivers, and volunteers, 196 miles, 27 hours (2009). So much fun, such a challenge and such a great team spirit. Because despite all the individualism, there is also the group element. Often, it is great to run by myself, but especially the running with so many other people during races gives the additional energy to run faster and improve yourself.

If it were not for Molly who showed me her passion for running (and recently run her first 50+K - she and Callum ran the same race - some inspiration right there!) I would not be a runner right now. If it were not for all the other runners I have met over the years I would not have grown as much as I have. Running changed my life for the better. It made me a healthier and more balanced person.

So I want to encourage you, whatever you are passionate about, share it, show it, and invite people to participate in it, so others might get inspired and develop a passion for it too. My sister, for example, is sharing her love for biking with other people through offering training.

My next race, 18.5K in Apeldoorn is in two weeks time; my next half marathon, March 27 in DC; my next marathon on April 10 in Paris; my first marathon under 4 hours ... Fall, TBD (any suggestions for races are welcome!)

Have a great week!
Rose