Oh yes, baby! These were the best 4 hours, 23 minutes and 29 seconds of my life. Finishing the New York City Marathon was a euphoric victory. The back of my medal rightly reads: “A thriumph of the will over all limits”. Finishing made me feel so full of life and proved I’m still capable of legendary achievements.
I fucking did it!

My Road to Recovery started June 8 2004 with the diagnosis of cancer. On November 4 2007 – my 27th birthday – I finished the marathon of New York. I wrote in a small font on the back of my shirt “Best birthday ever” – and it surely was. Milestones don’t come any better than this. I am profoundly thankful for my recovery so far.

This will be the end of this blog. Something new will surely emerge, yet there is no better end having completed the road which led from chemotherapy in the hospital to finishing the marathon in New York City. My first posts title was “From zero to chemotherapy in 11 days…” – who would have believed I would finish the marathon 3 years later? I thank everyone who loved and supported and believed in me throughout these years with whole my heart!

Livestrong! Rogier

In the afternoon I ran along the Rijn and at Koudekerk decided to continue and cross the Rijn at the next available bridge, which was located at Alphen a/d Rijn. I had looked it up on Google Maps, but it was quite a lot further than I had anticipated! I ran 27K that day – and broke my personal record by 6 kilometers! Amazing.

And yes : the next day my body was quite protesting both the party-drinking and the running… I thought hydration was important?

Absolutely no playing with food

Fanatics at the poker-table : shuffle up!

Key ingredients

Cooking-Squad

[click the image to see a movie!]

Today, I finished a half Marathon in Leiden! Once upon a time lóng ago and pre-cancer I ran 21K here as well, but I was 18 at the time and virtually indestructible (I think I ran 1 hour 48 minutes). Today I ran 2 hours 8 minutes and I’m proud of it!

This really was my best run so far. I started of in the back of the pack and for the first 7 kilometers ran very slow, just to get the blood flowing and body warmed up. I felt strong – no problems with my right ankle, no problems with my back. I chatted with a couple of people in a pacing team, as I found myself with enough air to spare. With my energy well distributed over the race and even some left, I started running faster and passed many runners over the last 6 kilometers. I finished in 2 hours 8 minutes with no injuries and a big smile on my face. I managed to equal my (pre-cancer) longest distance ever. That feels good. My body and I : we’re quite a team.

My father ran 10K in 1 hour 2 minutes – I’m proud of him, too! My mother cheered for both of us at the start and finish.

Proof can be found here (startnummer = 3433/7082) .

My roommate Nan celebrated her (imminent) graduation from Delft University of Technology that day, so we had a big party at night. Congrats Nan!

Today is LIVESTRONG Day – the right day to share with you I signed up for the New York City Marathon 2007! My goal is to cross the finishline.

Why run a marathon?

1. Because running a marathon after chemo- & radiotherapy would be an amazing achievement. A new milestone. And with training, I might even be able to do so .
2. Because I’m going through a new phase in recovery and sports help strengthen my body. Having a goal to train for would focus my efforts.
3. Because the course leads you across five bridges through all five boroughs of New York City. I love New York.
4. Because this year it’s on my birthday, November 4 2007. It’s just meant to be.

You might say it’s crazy, too soon or something – but if doctors/injuries don’t stop me, I’ll be running this November 4.

I am regaining strength and confidence. Things are improving.

Before…

Sunflowers afterwards from our most enthusiastic fan.