The Adidas Ladies Run took place in Rotterdam on Sunday 14 June. Choi Mi Chung walked on behalf of Santé, and has never walked this far!
For the third year, 4,000 women gathered on the Erasmus Bridge for the Adidas Ladies Run † A record turnout:2,000 women ran the 5km and another 2,000 women ran in the 10km run. About 80 percent are dressed in pink, for the charity Pink Ribbon † More than € 10,000 was raised! Sante also walked along †
Whether or not to register for 'the 10'? Would I make it? Shouldn't I have trained much more? A look at the website was enough:conviviality comes first , because sportsmanship combined with shopping. Just the way we like it! In short:achievement, but with a big wink, and also for a good cause.
3-2-1-GO!
The goal was to run the 10km distance within the hour. My sister (the professional already running a half marathon) would mentally drag me (the not-so professional but with three months of training anyway) through it. The course went twice over the Erasmus and Willemsbrug , past bands, spectators and quite a few drinking stations. The participants, some in Hawaiian skirts or silly hats, were ready. The atmosphere was there, the music was on, the nerves were palpable...3-2-1-GO!
The first 5km:a breeze! With 27 minutes on the clock, I and my sister skipped across the timeline, confident that we would easily reach our goal. Two bridges later, the skipping had turned into stumbling. It seemed like everyone was rushing past me smoothly. And a thirst! Drinking water (from the technologically sound design drinking cups ) I didn't do well while walking either – you have to learn even that. With the winner already inside (in forty minutes!) I trudged on, cheering myself up. Only a final sprint could help me, but where did I get that from?
Finish photo
At the 8km we accelerated anyway, the finish was in sight! We were warmly welcomed by the public, we put on our 'fittest' face tough. For a moment it seemed as if the oldest participant – 72 years old! – our finish photo would flank, but a glance at each other was enough to start a final sprint and race past it. With 58.31 I had achieved my goal, yay!
The plans were made on the spot:we are going to the next running event – with sports glasses , new shoes and a new shirt that we will have at the fair in the Cruise Terminal shopped and really where, really needed.”
