One of the pleasures of ultra-running is the diversity of the
community – people from all backgrounds, geographies, professions - each with
their own special gifts. Yet, there is a thread that binds this
diversity together – remarkableness. Does the sport foster and develop
remarkable people? Or, is being remarkable the qualifier to engage in a sport
that requites a high investment of time, commitment and perseverance. Regardless
of the reason, I get great pleasure from the many amazing people that running
brings into my life. One of the remarkable people I have met in Rome is Gerda
Verburg, the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), three UN agencies based in Rome with
expertise in agriculture, food assistance and rural development.
In her role as Ambassador, Gerda participates in the governance of
these organizations and represents the interests of the Dutch government.
Indirectly – she is my boss!
Prior to this appointment, she was Minister of Agriculture, Nature and
Food Quality in the Netherlands. Previous, she was a member of parliament for
the Christian Democrats. Before entering politics, Gerda was both an
entrepreneur and a trade union representative. Gerda’s athletic interests are
as diverse as her professional accomplishments. She is an equestrian, cyclist,
skater and runner. Prior to my first meeting with the Ambassador I was
“briefed” that she was an avid cyclist and rode her bike to work (how cool and
how Dutch). In an effort to impress her during our first meeting I decided to
ride my bike to her office. The morning of the meeting I had a flat and was
late to the meeting due to the time it took to for me to repair the flat (how
lame and how American). It was after that first meeting that I learned that her
real athletic talent is running and that she is consistently a top finisher in
her age group (55+). In fact, Gerda won her age division in this year’s Rome
Marathon in a time of 3:26:11. Definitely a “bad ass” performance given there
were more than 14,000 runners!
She has completed 15 marathons with her
fastest time being 3:16:52 at “Dwars door Drenthe Marathon” in the Netherlands
in 2006. Meet the remarkable Ambassador Verburg:
Q – When did you first start running? And, what prompted you to start
running competively?
I started around 1985 because
a friend of mine, who is an equestrian as well, started running and became very
enthusiastic. We ran twice a week, 1,5 km out and 1,5 km back. In between we
did some stretching and while running we talked about life, politics, sports
and love. After each run we ate a banana – that was the beginning.
Soon after my friend told me about his positive
experience running a marathon and I thought, “well, why not, let me give it a
try.” So, my first marathon was in Amsterdam, 1990. My time - 4.04.36. One week
later I knew, “I will do this again and…next time faster.”
Q – What is your most memorable race? The Two Oceans Marathon in South Africa. It’s an
extraordinary marathon: 56 km - start and finish at Cape Town. The race begins
at 6:00 am in the dark and follows the Indian Ocean to the south. Everywhere
people singing, partying and yelling – at half past 6 in the morning! Then you cross
Chapman’s Peak, a mountain, to reach the other Ocean, the Transatlantic Ocean.
I was challenged to run this marathon by a South African colleague, Ruben
Denge. Ruben was working with youngsters that left youth prison in Johannesburg
offering them education and skills to find a job. At the same time the
youngsters got guidance to find or develop their own way in life without
falling back into crime. My trade union CNV supported this work and gave me the
opportunity to travel to South Africa. Ruben told me about The Two Oceans
Marathon and said, “I run this marathon every year and I challenge you to do
the next as well.” For me it seemed impossible, to run a marathon, 42 km (26
miles) and then another 14 km. however, the idea settled itself somewhere in my
brain and after a few months I invited my spouse to join me on a holiday trip
to South Africa to run the Two Oceans Marathon. It is a well-organized race
with an exciting course. Yet, the support of people is what is most memorable
for me.
Q – What is a typical training week like for you? Number of kilometers
run? Types of runs? Cross-training?
My Internet
coach sends me schemes. I inform him about my next objectives and he
anticipates on the new goal. I like sports; so almost every day I do something.
Not always for competition, but my favorite way to go to office or return to my
house is on the bicycle or running. As an Ambassador I have a driver, but
several times I send him to our Residence to bring my documents and stuff for the
next morning so that I can run home after my work is done.
For a marathon a typical training week is: Sunday:
3-3,5 hours duration run. Monday: early morning to the bakery on the
bicycle and back through the hills (10 km). Tuesday: 1.15 hours steady run.
Wednesday: to the bakery…. Thursday: 1.15 interval training. Friday: on the
bicycle to a party. Back home the bike in the trunk (because my spouse comes by
car) Saturday: to the bakery…and 1.30 hours; fartlek. In general I prefer to
run off road and I love hilly areas (both for running and cycling). My legs are
built for uphill moving.
Q – How do you manage to fulfill all of your duties as Ambassador and
find time to train? Any secrets as to how you have been able to excel at both? I usually run in the morning before
breakfast. I love the smell, the colour, and the view of early morning nature
in each season of the year. During the first part of my run, my brain solves
problems, the second part I think of new ideas, sometimes very original, funny
or just practical. Back home from running I take a shower and prepare a good
breakfast. I take 30 minutes for breakfast, with news on the radio and/or
papers. Then I’m ready for the day, no matter how long or challenging the day
might be.
I have 3 secrets to share;
- I am used to run my marathons on pancakes with cinnamon and brown sugar, both for dinner the evening before as well as for breakfast early morning marathon day.
- Running is just fun, not a must or a way to lose weight or something. I love parties with a good glass of wine or beer etc.
- I love sleeping, but 5-6 hours per night is enough for me.
Q – How has your training changed as you have aged? What advice to you
have for “older” runners who want to race competitively?
Probably the biggest change is that I tend to stick more to my
training schedule. When I was younger I had an eye on my scheme, but usually
did more training than my scheme advised. I had good energy, I was almost never
exhausted. Now I follow my scheme much more closely. Some relaxing or
reading a good book is also part of (mentally) preparing for a marathon.
Q – What is next for you? What are you preparing for and what are your
goals/aspirations?
I don’t have a “next” yet. I
just finished holidays on the bicycle. We went from the Netherlands through
Belgium and Luxembourg (the Ardennes) to Provence, in South France, a distance
of 1350 km in 9 days. Then we climbed the Mt. Ventoux by bicycle. First from
the most difficult starting point: Bedoin. A few days later we did it as well
from Sault, which is much easier. In between I climbed the Mt. Ventoux walking
up and back (34 km) and this was really the most challenging part.
Back in Rome, while I survive the August and September
heat I intend to start thinking about a new adventure. Running or biking or may
be both.
Q – Most readers are
as passionate about their shoes as they are running? What are your current
favorite racing shoes and why?
I buy two pairs of
shoes at the same time. Different brands. I
ran the Maratona di Roma 2013 in Mizuno Wave Inspire and my other favorite
shoes are Brooks Adrenaline ASR 10
