Love for Limburg: looking back on 6 marathons, day 1

From the 1st to the 6th of april I ran 6 marathons through Limburg. A retrospective on a marathon a day.

Day 1: Gennep – Arcen. On the road with a little, but carefully equipped backpack. In the woods of Heijen I tell the storytellers of Gennep News about the journey through Limburg and my running adventure of happiness. Slowly I disappear in the forest, taking the first steps into freedom. After 5 kilometers I fiddle with one the zippers of my backpack. Broken. No safety pins, so I decided to stuff the free space up with my jacket and thermoshirt. Let’s see if this works. Will fix it in Arcen.
In the meantime I see the first beautiful trees through the forest. Each in its own way. The first trees are captured by the camera with a hug and a smile, for the act of joy of today. On the way beautiful surroundings. Already. With navigation skills of a chaotic dreamer I help a woman to Reinders Lake. Miraculously we both reach the lake. We wave at each other. I smile, and I already think about the big trip through Europe. The unexpected is beautiful.

Via the lake I run into the Hamert. Totally amazed. Images fly through my head. The most beautiful ones also fly through the camera. I keep going. For a moment I stand still at the most beautiful tree of the day, and take in the energy. In Arcen Ilse and Tim are waiting for me. They bring me to a colourful group of dogs, cats and horses. And parcheesi. Safety  pins rescue my backpack. I am ready for tomorrow.