In Kalmar, Sweden, she achieved the biggest victory of her career so far.
Challenge Gunsan
After Challenge Gunsan (Korea) in early June I had a fantastic experience. But my race there was quite disappointing. I was in my best shape so far and I was not able to show that on the day that matters. That is part of (top) sport and it makes the days that it does work so much nicer. Yet it is also frustrating. The recovery was, partly because of this, more difficult than usual and I have asked myself more than once whether I am still able to take a step.
The months of June and July I spent more in my own bubble. Some distance from social media and races and focus on rest, cleanliness and regularity.
In preparation for IRONMAN Kalmar I registered for the NK Midden in Kanne. To be honest I found it quite exciting to start a half distance again, the last one was last October. This season I have done a lot less races than previous years and that has advantages but also disadvantages. I still fully support the choice to start IRONMAN South Africa and Challenge Gunsan but unfortunately this coincided with other races where I would have liked to start. The advantage is that I am actually still very fresh and eager to race.
"Cave triathlon (in Kanne) is an incredibly well-organized local race just across the border from Maastricht."
Marlene de Boer - Pro Triathlete
dutch championship
The Cave triathlon (in Kanne) is an incredibly well-organized local race just across the border near Maastricht. I am grateful to the organization and NTB for organizing this Dutch Championship, despite the fact that it did not work out in the Netherlands itself this year. My coach Yvonne van Vlerken was still the reigning Dutch Champion since 2019. The assignment for this race was clear: no big taper and do everything to empty the 'tank'.
The swim was a mass start where I got off to a good start and had a nice group to swim with. I hadn't really explored the bike course so the first lap was exploring and then I put the pedal to the metal. After the swim and bike I came back a few minutes behind in T2 together with the Belgian Katrien Verstuyft. After a few kilometers we realized that we were quickly making up a lot of time on Sarissa and I could run my own race. Throughout the day I missed the extra acceleration that you need for this distance. Not surprising because the focus is mainly on the long distance now. The advantage is that I could continue quite comfortably and could make an acceleration in the last meters so that I crossed the finish line as the first woman and Dutch Champion.
Added a red-white-blue sweater to my collection π³π±
This weekend
The recovery after the NK actually went well and after some fine-tuning it was time for my next full distance last weekend. A race that has been on my list for a long time and that more than met my high expectations. If you are looking for a race that is extremely well organized, with a lot of spectators along the side, nice and compact because everything is very close together then this is your race for next year.
For me it all came together last weekend. I felt in control all day.
From the starting shot I had good feet and we were able to quickly create a considerable gap on the rest. The bike course in Kalmar is beautiful. Good roads, flat, beautiful landscape and so many people cheering in front of their houses. I quickly got into my rhythm. Just over halfway I was joined by a German athlete and together we were able to close the gap to number 1 in the race. Unfortunately I had to let her go in the last 15 kilometers and I arrived in t2 with a minute behind.
With surprisingly good running legs I started the marathon and I could finally maintain the paces that I trained so much for. In training I run a lot of blocks and just above these paces. The ladies behind me fortunately did not really come closer and at kilometer 35 I could take over the lead of the race. I still felt incredibly strong so I knew that I would not lose this anymore. I am very grateful to all the supporters along the side for all the encouraging words.
With a big smile I was the first to grab the tape after 8 hours, 39 minutes and 31 seconds.
I can now call myself an IRONMAN champion and I am incredibly proud of this. A reward for the work of coach Yvonne. No one can take this away from me.
The coming weeks there are more great races on the program with the highlight Challenge Almere. As my coach Yvonne says: enough training, now it's time to harvest. I hope to see many of you on and at the course there!
"I am grateful that I can give this back to my team. My family, boyfriend, friends, the Triathlon Inside team, my sponsors and everyone who contributes to this."
#FINDYOURBEST
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