European Team Championships 5000m

Today I participated in the 5000m for the Netherlands at the European Team Championships in Lille, France. Because the French like to have their dinners late, we have to wait another hour before our hotel serves food, which gives me some time to write a quick recap!

After running 16:10 in Oregon in April, my season went downhill a little bit, as it has so often done during my time in Portland. My coach and I really tried hard to avoid it this season, but I still followed that race up with a poor performance at Regionals. However, thanks to that 16:10 I got selected for the European Team Championships which gave me a great goal to work towards.

Two years ago I ran a great 3000m (9:16 - still my PR) at this tournament in Greece, and as a team we got promoted to the highest division. That meant competing against the very best countries in Europe, which was going to be a challenge!

Based on the entries I thought that there were five girls who were so far ahead I would have a hard time beating them, and five other girls that I had a chance against. We ran in a big stadium with lots of spectators, and many people in orange as well, which was an incredible experience. The girls started fast - a little too fast. I held back a little bit because I didn't want to waste too much energy in the beginning; starting with a first kilometer in 3:05 or faster just wasn't gonna do me any good. This meant I ended up alone, but in the second kilometer I was able to make a move and get to the two girls in front of me. I decided to stay with them for a little bit to regroup. After a while I tried to make another move to run towards the girl ahead of us, but that didn't really work out - following is easy, leading not so much! Nevertheless, I knew we were running pretty slow and still felt okay, and decided to make one more move with 800 to go, because I could either play it safe and outsprint the girl I was with, or go after the girl in front of us, who was running the same pace as we were, only 20 meters ahead (see picture). Unfortunately my move wasn't quite enough, and instead of getting 7th I was the one getting outsprinted, and I ended up 9th in a slow 16:24.

The good news is, I know what to work on! In the US training is quite different than what we are used to in the Netherlands: At Portland, we mostly ran a lot, but there was not a big focus on things like technique/form, drills, developing power, or weights. This may be why, among other things, I don't have a very powerful stride. Although I don't regret my decision to go to Portland at all, since I had an absolutely incredible 5 years, I do think there are some areas in my training that are underdeveloped. I am very excited to start training with Honore Hoedt and his group on Papendal next season, to work on all these aspects! I'll start living in Arnhem and will (try to) combine this with a Master's in Utrecht. I am hoping to make some big steps under Honore and that next trackseason I will be a different athlete.

I have one race left this season, which will be the National Championships in three weeks. Our National Team gave everything but ended up getting relegated, meaning we will compete in the second-to-highest division in two years. It was an absolutely incredible experience to be part of Team Netherlands for a weekend and to be surrounded by so many of our best athletes. It leaves me very inspired and I hope that next time I compete in orange, I won't just fill up the field but actually be up there and compete!