.png?width=900&height=248&name=SOFICO_LOGO_WITHOUT_BASELINE_COLOR_RGB_900PX_W_72PPI%20(3).png "Sofico Logo"){kind=logo}
%20(1).png "Ambassador LP banner (1200x400 px) (1)")
| Meet the Ambassadors 2025
Florence Daelman
Program: half marathon
"At the edge of my 50’s, I feel the need to take better care of myself and to enjoy some me time. Enrolling in the semi-marathon is a great opportunity to do so and an exciting challenge. Through the Ambassadors Program, a new journey is about to start, and the support of my fellow Ambassadors runners will make this journey unforgettable."
| Training updates
Follow Florence's journey
April 1, 2025
I did it!!
I didn’t experience the same race as the other runners as we were last in the race (not in raking though). I say we, as my beloved husband, Bruno, and my running friend, Christine, whose unwavering support helped me run throughout those preparation months, were with me all along.
The race itself was challenging… we got lost, we had to download the app and the course of the race, we ran out of food and drink suppliers as they were closing, we had almost no supporters and no music to cheer us up but we kept a strong mind, kept running and never gave up!
Finally when we met Laura, my coach, around 13.5k, we were relieved, we didn’t have to look at the map anymore. It was just running or walking as the legs began to get really heavy. And suddenly around the 18k, Jeroen De Nocker showed up with his bike and rode the last kilometers with us. He was also a great support, finding the right words to keep us going. And then at the arrival, Rémy, Baptiste and Naomi waited for us and ran the last meters to the arena with us. It was great! We did it!!
The ambassador program was an amazing experience, full of encounters and self-improvement.
And overall I keep in mind that it was an incredible experience despite the hiccups of the race that I am proud of being able to have accomplished. I might even sign up for another one next year 😉
March 7, 2025
Round 3
This is the last update before the half-marathon day. It is a big challenge that started with this great opportunity Sofico gave us to embrace a better us.
For me, it was a challenge to rediscover a part of me I put aside for too long for being a mom and taxi for my children😉 It was a me versus me but I enjoyed the journey all along. The road was bumpy, filled with doubts and efforts, but also with joy and encounters, such as my ambassador fellows. The ambassador community is a strong community that helped me stay motivated. Getting those kudos on Strava was a real motivation!
When I look back to October, I see a great improvement and am proud of it. I wasn’t able to run 3k without stopping and puffing. Now I can run over 1h30 and feel comfortable with it, I even enjoy it especially running with my friend who did the preparation with me, she was a real support.
Now I feel healthier, my body is more tone, I’ve lost some rebel belly fat, I’ve gained confidence… all those little things thanks to a simple challenge: running a half-marathon! I still have my doubts and fight my anxiety to accomplish such a long distance, but the first step of the challenge was already to sign for it, then to be ready to run it (a big thank you to Laura, my coach, who helped me deal with the trust issues and encourage me to trust the process) … and now I am (am I?).
It also made me realize I’ve been neglected my body more than I thought and this journey helped me to reconnect with my body, to refocus on me and to find some me-time without feeling selfish. And surprisingly my family, relatives and friends are very supportive.
Based on all those positive vibes, I plan on keeping running as part of my weekly routine and I’ve already signed up for another race in May, “just” 5k this time.
January 20, 2025
Round 2
On January 16th, we went back to Ghent and Golazo Energy for a mid-training get together session. This session was about checking our improvements and getting together again.
The day started immediately with the effort test, which seriously improved compared to October. It gave me the feeling that all those training sessions were starting to pay off and reinforced my confidence that it could be further improved by the end of March. We also had a DXA-Scan and a follow-up with our coach, Laura. It was good to talk to her in person, she gave some advice for the next training sessions. And guess what? I have to slow down!! But on a good purpose, improve my aerobic threshold, not easy to do though.
%20(4).png?width=768&height=400&name=Newsletter%20updates%20(1200%20x%20400%20px)%20(4).png "Newsletter updates (1200 x 400 px) (4)")
After sharing a healthy lunch, we had a mental training session, which was much needed as many of us feel anxious about achieving this challenge (half or full marathon). The coaching was really positive and motivating.
Being all ambassadors gathered is really a great support. We see each other’s progresses; we support each other, motivate each other and together we can go further.
November 7, 2024
First update
I am a mother of 2 teenagers, 18 and 15, and until last June, it took most of my free time driving them around to activities and friends. But everything changed in September as Damien, the eldest one, had to leave for 4 months to study in London and Yoan had to study in a boarding school to keep being part of a sport class (football of course). My husband and I thought it was the perfect timing to exercise more and eat healthier. Then, call it destiny or not, the famous email reached my mailbox after the summer holidays… “Become a Sofico Ghent Marathon Ambassador. Your next great adventure awaits!”. This is when the real journey began!
Running half a marathon is a big challenge but with the right support and coaching, it should be doable and after all it might be the perfect challenge I was looking for. Even if I had my doubts about it, my colleagues, Diane (ambassador last year) and Rémy (ran the full marathon last year) were so supportive about it, I thought why not give it a try? I will sign-up and we’ll see, I might not be selected after all 😊
But I started to run twice a week to get prepared… just in case. And then the email came in… “Welcome on board!” It was a mix of excitement and anxiety, but Diane and Naomi encouraged me to trust the process, so I listened to them and tried to let go my fears. Big thank you by the way to the 3 of you (Diane, Rémy and Naomi)! And to Sofico for giving us such a great opportunity to get a better version of ourselves.
On October 3rd it was real, it really started. We, ambassadors, were all gathered at the Golazo Center to start this wonderful journey. It really was an amazing day, full of encounters and sports of course 😊
Now with the support of my loyal runner friends, the real challenge has started: run 3 times a week no matter what, no matter how windy it is (as yes it can be really windy in Provence, more than 70km/h!), no matter how dark it’s getting.
I am actually surprised to see how much I enjoy it and how fast a habit it becomes to run 3 times a week without feeling any pain. I thought my leg muscles would have screamed for a break, but they didn’t… and neither do I 😊 I even feel stronger and more confident. I now feel I can achieve it and even caught myself dreaming about running it under 3 hours.... Each run is a victory, no matter how short or long, what matters is to have the courage to start.
