Seven Hills Run: we did it!!!
Last weekend was all about running the famous Seven Hills Run (Zevenheuvelenloop) in Nijmegen. This 15 kilometer run through the forests and hills surrounding the oldest city of The Netherlands was the point where over 25,000 runners gathered. 5 runners of Aia Software registered as a team and we invited friends and relatives to run with us.
I went to Nijmegen with my girlfriend’s uncle Peter Kaemereit from Essen in Germany, playing AC/DC whilst driving to Nijmegen on the German Autobahn. Our excitement grew when we walked up to the start line, hearing the voice of the speaker and seeing many other athletes. We were just in time to see the start with cracks like Ayele Abshiro and Keninasa Bekele. After 45 minutes it was our turn to get into action, synchronize our watches and pass the start line! Peter, Jeroen Huinink and I could very well keep each other’s pace and looked sharp in our Aia Software outfit.
Running in such a huge group of runners was both exciting and annoying. Exciting, because this was now reality after all these months of preparation. Annoying because we wanted to go faster than the crowd allowed. This meant running over the bicycle path, the sand, crisscross where possible.
I felt strong; the months of early training runs, training in special locations like Bergen NL, Paris, London and more recently Brighton were really paying off. Peter was paving the way for Jeroen and me, finding the openings in this running wall… The hills were tough, but we went over them without too much trouble.
The last 2,5 kilometer went downhill (what goes up, must come down!) and Peter and I went into the highest gear, leaving Jeroen a bit behind. I truly gave everything I had, but kept an eye all the time on the spectators. We spotted my girlfriend Mascha and Peter’s wife Baerbel! How on earth is it possible to run at this speed and see two people amongst so many others? It was like there was a spotlight on them! I had enough energy left to yell and wave before we ran further. 250 meters left to the finish line!
1:13.45!!
Peter slowed down for a moment and we ran under the FINISH sign hand in hand. I stopped my watch at 1:13.40. Who would have predicted a year ago that I would have done this race in this time? I even felt like I had power left to go a bit faster… Next year
Jeroen followed 2 minutes after us. Great job, considering that he started training in August! Our other runners Mark van Dorland (1:08!!) and our CEO Paul Dirven (1:20) also did a great job. Was it a smart move to outrun our boss? Let’s check some literature on this!
Our best (and due to several injured colleagues only) female runner Gaby Schaap finished in 1:41 after the start signal.
Our colleagues arranged a welcome committee where we could get a drink and dry clothes. Real team spirit after an individual challenge. I can't wait for next years edition - also since our UK based colleague & marathon runner Sean Briscomb will probably join us!
Peter Kaemereit, Jeroen Huinink and me, Christoffel Klimbie
My start number and medal