Last weekend, the Dutch Championship Short Survivalrun took place in Neede. I’d been eagerly anticipating this event. While I hadn’t specifically trained for it, I knew I was in good shape. However, the week leading up to the competition felt lackluster during training; a strange sensation in my legs and a slightly elevated heart rate. Was it just pre-race jitters or was something amiss? Fortunately, on the race day, I was focused. I had a clear mission: to claim that title.
Off to a Flying Start
The start was lightning-fast, typical of a Short Distance Survivalrun. The starting gun went off, and before I knew it, I had already swung over the first obstacle, albeit not without accidentally kicking Maarten in the face… My apologies! Those beams were a tad too close together. After the starting obstacle, there was a 400-meter stretch on asphalt where I made up for lost time, diving into the woods in fourth place. That’s when the real challenge began!
The Course
The Neede course is known for being incredibly fast and demanding. The trail is playful; you run across swift single tracks, navigate hills, and traverse forests. I always enjoy this kind of terrain! A nice environment adds so much to a survivalrun!
Following the start, Joey and Thom significantly upped the pace. I hesitated: should I keep up with them or start more steadily and try to gain ground later? The choice was somewhat made for me at one of the first obstacles, an endless swing-over. I lost focus for a moment, and suddenly, all ropes were taken. Today was going to be a catch-up race…
A Battle of Endurance
I gradually caught up to both men on the fast sections and single tracks. I overtook Thom after about 3 kilometers, but Joey consistently outpaced me at the obstacles. Consequently, I had to push extra hard to close the gap. Initially, it worked reasonably well, but fatigue started creeping in over time. Fortunately, I wasn’t alone; Joey’s pace at the obstacles also began to falter.
Around the 5-kilometer mark, we encountered the first lengthy combination obstacles. A net followed by short ropes and a creative rope traverse where you climb back and forth over two ropes stacked vertically. Here, we were evenly matched. The battle was far from over.
Pushing Through!
We are approaching the final kilometers, if there was ever a time to make a move, it was now. I picked up my pace, but it wasn’t enough to make a significant difference. Simultaneously, we faced the longest obstacle of the race, the ‘combi 2.0’; a challenge comprising 7(!) parts. We both started this obstacle well. My arms were tired, but I noticed I could keep going using technique. I glanced beside me. Joey’s arms completely cramped up. I recognized this feeling all too well during races. At the same time, I realized this was the moment to push harder. Determinedly, I tried to complete the obstacle and sprinted away. Now I had to make sure I stayed ahead.
Dutch Champion
The title was within reach now. If I avoided mistakes, I could maintain the lead. I kept my running pace high and managed to extend my advantage in the final stretch. Wood chopping always remains suspenseful; it could completely change the course of the race, but that too went smoothly.
On the final obstacle I played it safe. And won the race in a time of 44:48, leading with 1:39. After securing the Dutch title in the Long Distance run in Harreveld, I am now also the champion in the short distance category!
