I started running years ago to lose weight, driven by an obsession with achieving the 'perfect body.' This led to yo-yo dieting, calorie counting, and long hours at the gym. Running seemed like a quick fix for weight loss, but my progress was slow due to under-eating, and I felt like a 'bad' runner.

Over time, I found balance, healed my relationship with food, and learned to love myself. I began exercising for enjoyment and the positive feelings it brought. Running 10 km felt great, and I gradually increased my runs to twice a week alongside my strength training. The thrill of running 10 km inspired me to sign up for a 10-mile race. Running three times a week, I fell in love with the process. After completing the 10 miles, I aimed for a half marathon, enjoying both the preparation and the race.

Running became my priority, so I trained four times a week for my second half marathon while continuing strength training twice a week. Now, I’m training for a 30 km race and have signed up for my first full marathon next year. Running has become a habit, and I love it. I'm always super happy afterward! 😊

In December 2023, I started using Trenara, a personalized running app, after previously following basic training plans from runinfo.nl that didn't cater to my level or needs. Since discovering Trenara, I haven’t looked back. I used Trenara to train for several races: the Ghent Half Marathon, the Antwerp 10 Miles and my current goal of running 30 km at a good pace. The Ghent half marathon is the achievement I'm most proud of: 1 hour 55 minutes, which is 10 minutes faster than my previous half marathon in Bruges. Next year, I plan to use it for the Paris Half Marathon and the Brussels-Leuven Marathon (European Running Championship).

I find 1.2 km intervals the toughest, though I enjoy other interval workouts and love the variety of interval training, long runs and tempo runs. I'm training for it and doing my absolute best. Maybe one day I will enjoy them.

Looking ahead, I have my eye on the races mentioned above and dream of running a marathon abroad, possibly in Valencia. For fellow amateur runners, my advice is not to compare yourself too much to others, especially those with more experience. Celebrate your own progress and be proud of your journey. Remember, slow and steady wins the race. Be patient and consistent, and the results will come.

Also, give me a follow on TikTok. I share a lot of my running journey over there: https://www.tiktok.com/@antje_meertens