Let the games begin!!!

For my English speaking friends and family a blog in English, the last blog of My Vierdaagse Journey. For now.

I have had a week to reflect on my participation in Four Day's March.

It was one amazing experience!!! I had no real trouble during the first three days of the March. On the last day, though, I struggled with painful blisters and a sore back. Fortunately, I have recuperated nicely. Blisters are healing. And back is just fine.

What I loved:
- So many people along the route, even very early in the morning. I was also very lucky to have several people who came specifically for me. Thanks again guys!!
During the Four Day's March, I loved the passage of three towns in particular. Wijchen, on the second day. Groesbeek, on the third day. Cuijk, on the fourth day. The atmosphere was simply sensational there. These rather small towns were filled with people. Most special though was the Zevenheuvelenweg (roughly translated as Seven Hills Road, even though the road has less than seven hills :P), shortly after the town of Groesbeek. The Zevenheuvelenweg was filled with people and campers and has now been dubbed the Alpe D'huZeven. This is a reference to the Alpe D'Huez!!! (When cyclists climb Alpe D'Huez during the Tour de France, it is always filled with mostly Dutch supporters and their campers).
- The many volunteers, always cheerful and helpful. Without them a successful Four Day's March would have been impossible.
- The route, through some of the most beautiful parts of the Netherlands. The route of the third day was particularly nice.

What I disliked, yes there were a few things that I disliked:
- People not waiting for their turn at the start. I think this is typically Dutch ;).
- Against the advice of the organization, many walkers brought their umbrellas along. Umbrellas are of course be very useful when it rains. But with app. 40.000 walkers on the road there is simply no room for walkers to have their umbrellas up. I was lucky not to have my eye poked out by an umbrella on the third and rainiest day of the Four Day's March.
- My injury beforehand, an inflammed achilles tendon. Prevented me from training during a couple of weeks (this involuntary pause probably brought about an increased sensitivity for blisters). But, fortunately, I had a really good physical therapist. She gave me a recovery program which I closely followed. Achilles tendon started to feel better a week before the Four Day's March, so I was able to put one last training in (a 30 km walk). Interestingly, during the actual Four Day's March I had no real problems with the achilles tendon. It was a little bit sore after the fourth day, but most of my body was sore at that time :P (not strange after walking 160.3 km in the time span of four days).

Right now, I am contemplating if I am going to participate in next year's Four Day's March. I would love to cross the finish line in better shape than I did this year (meaning: not with blisters and sore back). So perhaps I should give it another try ;).

Now it's onto London 2012. Literally. I will be travelling to London on Monday to enjoy the Olympic atmosphere. Also got tickets for field-hockey and volleyball matches (alas no tickets for tennis available). First though I am going to Brussels, one of my favorite European cities along with London, with my friend Martina.