Report: Nike We Run Amsterdam: My first 10K!
We waited forever for it. We talked about it so many times with our BFFF's. We trained our butts off (or at least, most of us did) for it. We contemplated our outfits. We doubted if we could even make it.
But then.
It was time.
Nike We Run Amsterdam!! One of the biggest and funnest women 10K races of the year! Whoop whoop!
Entering the race
On May 16th 2015, the #FITGIRLCODE crew met in Amsterdam to run 10 kilometers through the centre of Amsterdam. The event was hosted by Nike at the Olympic Stadium. For me (as a non-runner) it was my very first race, so I'd like to share my running story with you.
Entering the stadium, we were welcomed by Nike people, who hooked us up with a wristband and showed us the locker room. We changed into our match gear, and walked around in the stadium. Wow! I've never seen so many fit girls in my life! I believe there were over 6.000 girls running that night.
Of course, no sports event is complete without the obligatory shoe selfie
When it was time to race, we anxiously waited in line. Pumped up by heavy disco beats, everybody was psyched to start! I couldn't wait! BOOM! The start sign! We got to start in the very first starting group. A lot of girls were sprinting away. Damn, these girls are fast and furious..!
Me and Anna (@annageertje_fitgirlcode) decided to stay together through the race, as we had the same running pace. We wanted to run the first 3 kilometers in an easy pace. I think starting too fast is one of the most common running errors people made. Or so I've read, since it was my very first race! Haha!
We were up to a good start, with a pace around 5:40. Perfect! After about 3 or 4 kilometers, we reached the Vondelpark. Time to start enjoying our race. The park looked beautiful in the dark. There were a LOT of people cheering us on! It was crazy! People brought confetti, horns, signs and a lot of positive energy!
Lots of happy girls running through the Rijksmuseum Tunnel
Then, the tunnel of the Rijksmuseum. <3
Wow. Just wow. This was something special. I literally got goose bumps all over my body. The entire tunnel was filled with people cheering and smiling. There even was a choir, singing classical songs! I remember putting my hands up in the air and absorbing the positive energy. WOW! No matter what my time will be, I'll remember this race forever!
On the halfway point, we crossed a lot of small bridges over the canals of Amsterdam. This is of course what Amsterdam is famous for. Those bridges were tough! The course was pretty narrow at some points, and we had to climb up and down the bridges. I immediately noticed that I had to catch my breath.
Anna was still on my side. We barely spoke with each other, as we both liked to concentrate on our breathing. But having her on my side (she is definitely the better runner of the two of us), really empowered me to give it my all. During the race, we ran into Lisa (@lisacoconut) and Ily(@ily_fitgirl). They were both SO focused, that I'm not even sure they saw us!
Going back into the Vondelpark. It was getting pitch dark! We grabbed a cup of water, but drinking while running is a skill I haven't mastered yet. I splashed the water all over my face. A nice refreshment, actually!
At the end of the park, I heard a voice shouting my name: "Hey, Roos!". It was Aranka (@aranka_fgc), popping up out of nowhere! She told us she was having a tough race. We decided to run together with the three of us.
Making a shoe selfie before the race
The last kilometer. I actually think that kilometer was a bit too long, because everybody's split time was over 6:00, but whatever. It. Was. Magical. We crossed the corner and entered the Olympic Stadium. Everything was a rush. We accelerated and sprinted across the orange running track. Music was pumping. The crowd was screaming! I truly felt like an Olympic racer for a second! Then I realised my pace was too high and my stomach turned. No! No time for sickness! I pushed through and crossed the finish. We made it!
We met a lot of fellow fit girls, every girl with her own story to tell! I can't WAIT to sign up for another 10K race! I hope to see you on one of those days as well!
x
Roos
