How many kilometers Annemerel she has run in her life, I don't think you want to know. She is really a diehard runner. I can sometimes be a bit jealous, because I still turn around when the alarm goes off, but she always jumps out of bed. At least, that's what I think. I asked her for Thank god it’s Friday, because she had a busy special week and her own book is coming out soon. So there’s plenty to ask.
Tell me, how was your week?
‘Special! I started the week with a four-kilometer run in Norway. It was -20and pitch dark, because the sun only rises there at 10:00 AM around this time of year and it was snowing heavily. I was in the southwest of Norway until Wednesday, in Voss to be precise, for a press trip. Tough job I have, yes. On Monday we skied through the thick powder, on Tuesday we went on a boat safari through the fjords, and on Wednesday I skied under a clear blue sky (but with -22). Unfortunately, my work doesn't stop when I'm abroad, and I have been working hard these past few days to catch up on everything I missed in the first three days of the week.’
Are you kicking off the weekend today? And how?
‘I’m really mega boring, but eh… since I was in Norway for a few days, I’m not ready to kick off the weekend yet. That’s okay, because I really enjoy my work. I think I’ll drive to my parents’ place at the beginning of the evening for a nice glass of wine and my dad’s carbonara pasta, that’s a tradition on Friday nights. One that I like to maintain, because I love wine and pasta.’
What are you doing this Saturday and Sunday?
‘As I said: a bit boring this weekend. I’m just going to write my pieces for Metro and a few blogs. There’s also a run scheduled for tomorrow. I’m training for a marathon in the spring, which one I don’t know yet, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for London. Since I ran 25 kilometers today, I’ll be doing a recovery run tomorrow. They’ve predicted sunny weather, so I’m really looking forward to that. In two weeks, my first book ‘Live, Love, Run’ will be released. I still have to prepare a few things for that. So I won’t be bored this weekend.’
Do you have a running schedule
or do you only run when you feel like it?
‘I run with a schedule, but one that I made myself and one that I can adjust. I enjoy running with a schedule, I like working towards a goal. Running aimlessly has taught me to be lazy. I try to run four times a week: a tempo training, a short run, a long run, and a recovery training. I schedule these trainings in my digital calendar. Sometimes I shift them a day if that works better with my job, but I try to stick to my schedule.’
What kind of music is played
on the weekend?
‘This weekend, the new song by Sia, ‘Unstoppable’, is definitely on repeat. I saw the song in the New Music Friday list on Spotify today and became an instant fan. When I’m working, I like to listen to something calmer: Coldplay, Troye Sivan, and RHODES for example. I’ve also recently become a fan of Martin Garrix. I went to his show at the Ziggo Dome with my sister and that’s where the fandom started. I can really run so well to his music.’
Your ideal Sunday, what does it look like?
‘Hmmmm, on the ideal Sunday, I have already sent my pieces for Metro to the editorial team. My deadline is Sunday evening, but I prefer to send it on Saturday so I don’t have to think about it on Sunday. I don’t necessarily need to sleep in late, around eight or nine is fine. A nice breakfast, a run, a brunch in the city with friends or my sister, and in the evening on the couch with an Aperol Spritz or a glass of wine.’
A book is coming out soon,
how nervous are you?
‘The nerves come in waves. I was really mega nervous at first; in mid-December I thought ‘NOOOOOOOO can we just forget about that book?’, but then I sent it to Runner’s World and Women’s Health and both the editor-in-chief of Runner’s World and the editor-in-chief of Women’s Health were super enthusiastic. That gave me some confidence. But I’m sure I’ll be dying of nerves on the day itself. Or well, almost dying, I think I’ll survive. Can you already reserve the book? Here is that possible.’
If you could dream, where would you be in 5 years?
‘I find that question so hard to answer, because five years ago I also didn’t expect to be here now. I take life year by year. But well, you say dreams… well, in five years I’m still blogging, I’ve been blogging for almost thirteen years, I can’t imagine ever stopping. And maybe I’ve written more books? ‘Live, Love, Ski’?! I love winter sports and the mountains and for such a book you just have to ski the whole season. Do you think you can write a whole book about skiing?!’
And Monday, what time does your alarm go off?
‘Very early. I think around six o'clock. I have to be at a printing house in Amersfoort at nine o'clock, I’m going to see how my book is printed. So exciting. But yes, on Monday morning from The Hague to Amersfoort right through rush hour, that means sitting in the car early.’
