Continuing our Team Spot Check-ins, let’s bring Hendrik Gerrits to the chopping block. A regular Nite Owl and thoroughly alright and decent fellow, Hendrik will be making his marathon debut November 4th in NYC.
NBR: Generally, how is your marathon training going? Any good long run stories? Any ugly long run stories?
Hendrik: Training has been going really well. I started in August with an aggressive increase of mileage – going from 30 to 80 mi/week in only a month, but everything’s held together and I’m feeling strong. I somehow managed to shake some painful achilles tendonitis along the way – go figure!
Slowly adjusting to 20+ mi runs has been a fun challenge. Each long run I discover a new kind of calorie and/or chaffing crisis. I like to imagine that I’m around to keep things dramatic and interesting for Alex… “Alex, I’m going to pass out.” ”Alex, I can’t see anymore.” “Alex, my nipples are bleeding.”
NBR: What NBR runs have you been attending regularly to prep for the marathon? Have any NBR members really been inspiring you to train hard(er?)
Hendrik: Nite Owls, Morning Doves and Sunday Funday Long Run Day – what else does a runner need?! Alex Walsh has been a total inspiration. He is always up for a run (seeing as he often runs both day and night) and man, he is fast right now! On top of it, he never seems to tire of my endless talking. Just when I think I’m really starting to hold my own against him (say after a great tempo run), I’m quickly humbled when the next day he has twice the amount of energy I have.
NBR: Is this your first marathon? What does running a marathon mean to you?
Hendrik: This is my first marathon, and I’ve only done two half-marathons before this. What does it mean to me? Being constantly tired and hungry from what I can tell.
NBR: How does it feel to be asked to represent NBR as a team spot awardee?
Hendrik: It’s an honor. My one-year aNaBersaRy will be around the week of the race. The first event I did with NBR was help out at the water station last year. I loved the energy of the team and was in awe of the runners racing. I took an 8 year hiatus from running after I stopped in college. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to return and have a healthy non-Stockholm syndrom relationship with it again. But NBR’s has such a perfect balance of taking the fun of running seriously — it really let me relax and get in touch with what I love again.
NBR: If you were to run the marathon in a costume, what would it be and why?
Hendrik: John Malkovich from Being John Malkovich, with a tiny door in the back of my head. Totally psych them out, right?
NBR: Let’s hope a tinier, faster Hendrik doesn’t emerge from that door. The world isn’t ready. Have a great time on Marathon Sunday, Hendrik!
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