For the past 10 years, living inside the citadel center of our city, Gorinchem, Astrid has run the 5 km citadel wall hundreds of times. It's been one of her exhilarating joys in life (think endorphins).
Yes, that's it, and lucky for us, that's where we live!
[credit: DeStadGorinchem.nl]
Since buying her new race bike a year ago, however, her thrill of exercise has moved more to long-distance rides out into the boonies around where we live, to the point of making a decision to no longer run the citadel wall.
It was still in the back of her mind to stop when she found out there would be an organized event for a 5 km run of 5 citadel walls here in the Netherlands, of which Gorinchem was one, and all with medals. It became a no-brainer for her to make that her "grand finale" Gorinchem citadel run.
It happened this past Sunday, and because it was her last 5 km run, I made sure I was there to document it..."for the record," as I always say.
The Gorinchem race started and ended at our water port, where the water taxis are,
and where our city's war memorial stands (woman with child).
The water bottles provided include the names of the 5 cities cooperating in the 2020 citadel race.
Each race has it's own medal but if you do all 5 throughout the year, you also receive a GRAND medal.
All Astrid cared about was the Gorinchem medal.
As you can see, it was a misty, rainy, overcast day,
but it was easy to find Astrid in the crowd because of her orange jacket!
These 4 images were captured by online/Facebook photographers for the event.
And online she found her official time: 38 min. 19 sec.
Not bad for a 65-year-old, right?!
And online she found her official time: 38 min. 19 sec.
Not bad for a 65-year-old, right?!
This is the medal Astrid wanted.
The shape is of Gorinchem's citadel wall, including its major landmark, the Grote Kerk (big church).
Do you notice how she's smiling in every capture of her?
That's how she always looks when she returns home after a run or bike ride, seriously.
It's called HAPPINESS and ENDORPHINS!
So, the long citadel runs are done. However, she'll continue with short runs to the water port
where she does an exercise regimen on the beach with their jungle-gym equipment.
In other words, it won't all be just long-distance bike rides, she says. She wants to stay fit.
["I declare, Woman! You are something else!!!" says the wife sitting at home. :)]
