A long way to have news! Life has changed a lot since Emile’s birth on 17th of January. New priorities and a lot of fun as Emile is learning fast. Marie and I are planning also our new house (passive house) and we’ll probably start working in it in October. Just happy life…

Therefore I didn’t travel so much and choose my races and training camps more carefully to be at home more often. In winter I ran a lot of cross-country races (high level in Belgium) and I was in really good shape in beginning of orienteering season (in March) before … I broke a rib after a bad fall in rocky ground checking some new maps at home (see pictures). I still managed to run and train during these rehabilitation weeks and it was a really good mental work to support the pain.

New orienteering terrain at home... karst terrain

Some good results in Belgium (winning Belgian 3 days in very great and hilly terrain, national events and night champs) and one in France despite my broken rib (long national event in Dijon where I get caught by Adamski and stayed with him until the end with that injury).

Finally I get in shape in June finishing surprisingly second in Belgian Moutain Running Champs. It was a great course with +1100 up / climbing for 11km and “Yes!” we have great hills despite mountains in South Belgium (where I live). Next I continue with a really great training camp in Trondheim area and some good feelings despite tired legs in Trondheim Open races.

This weekend I will – for the first time – represent Belgian Athletic Federation in European Mountain Running Champs (Bulgaria). A great experience… and a bit scared of the speed as the course doesn’t seem to be so hard with only 700m climb in 12.2km. But never mind, just have fun and try to do my best…