Sofico Marathon Ambassador Program

March 30, 2025, marked the day of our eagerly awaited Sofico (half) marathon.
Although I was unable to participate in the race due to an injury - runner’s knee -, I feel immensely grateful for the opportunity I had to serve as a Sofico ambassador for such a nice event.

Being part of this ambassadorship allowed me to witness firsthand the dedication and resilience of my colleagues and myself. The weeks leading up to the marathon were filled with inspiring moments like the many early morning- and late evening runs and the unwavering commitment of everyone involved reminded me of the power of hard work and the importance of pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones.

A lot of colleagues did succeed, which is great. Their success on race day was a testament to the belief that with determination, even the most challenging obstacles can be overcome.

While my personal journey hit an unexpected pause due to injury, I have embraced this setback as an opportunity for growth. I have started working closely with a skilled physiologist who is guiding me through a tailored rehabilitation program. This process has not only been about healing but also about learning more about my body, understanding its limits, and preparing it for the future challenges ahead. I am motivated by the progress I am making and look forward to returning to training stronger and more resilient than ever.

This experience shows me that every challenge, whether it’s professional or personal, offers us valuable lessons. It has taught me to appreciate the journey as much as the destination, and to see setbacks as stepping stones to greater achievements. I remain deeply proud of my colleagues’ accomplishments and am excited about the prospect of joining them in future races… let’s see. 😊

Looking forward to lace up my running shoes again with new strength and a fresh perspective.

To finalize I would like to thank also via this way everyone at Sofico for the constant support and encouragement and in special Naomi Claeys for all performed effort!

Right in the middle of our training period, after 10 weeks, we had our second ‘fitness’ assessment at Golazo Gent. I was both excited and slightly nervous to see how much progress I had made, but I have to say, the results were incredibly motivating! Not only did I lose some weight and gain muscle, but my overall fitness level had also improved significantly. My endurance had increased, and I could now run both faster and longer compared to my first assessment! 😊

But honestly, it’s not just the numbers on the test that prove I’ve made progress. I can feel it in my body every time I go out for a run. Everything just feels smoother, more natural, and, dare I say, even enjoyable! Where I used to struggle through certain parts of the training, I now feel much more in control. It’s a great feeling to realize that all the hard work is paying off.

Of course, I try to stick to the training schedule as much as possible. Aron, our Golazo Energy coach, has put together a solid plan for us, and I do my best to follow it. That being said, life happens, and sometimes I have to squeeze in a run either very early in the morning or late in the evening. There are days when I can’t stick to the schedule perfectly, and I’ve learned to accept that. What matters most is consistency, and even when my schedule isn’t ideal, I make sure to keep going.

One thing that has really helped me stay on track is my Wednesday running session with a fellow Soficolleague. He’s a much stronger runner than I am, which is actually a huge advantage for me. During our interval training sessions, he pushes me to go beyond my limits, to run that little bit faster, and to keep going when I feel like slowing down. His encouragement makes a real difference, and I always aim to show up for those sessions, no matter what.

The progress I’ve made so far has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to see how much further I can go in the weeks ahead. Training isn’t always easy, but every step forward, no matter how small, is a win. So if you’re on a fitness journey yourself: stick with it! The results will come, and trust me, they feel amazing. Keep going, and enjoy the process! 🚀

And now, the big goal is coming closer: the half marathon! It’s crazy o think that the race is just around the corner. When I started this journey, it felt like such a distant challenge, but now, with every training session, I feel more prepared. Of course, there’s still work to be done, and I’m ready to give it my all in the upcoming weeks. I’m looking forward to the long runs, the interval sessions, and even the tough moments, because I know they’ll all contribute to a strong race day. My aim? To cross that finish line feeling proud, knowing I gave it my best. Let’s go! 💪🏃‍♂️

For the past two months, I’ve been on a steady training journey, and I can feel the progress with every run. Despite the unpredictable weather and less-than-ideal conditions, my running sessions are becoming more enjoyable and fulfilling. The early mornings and late evenings bring challenges—rain, cold, and darkness often greet me as I step out the door. Yet, once I hit my stride, those initial discomforts fade away, leaving me with a sense of accomplishment and energy that makes it all worthwhile.

One thing that keeps my spirits high during these chilly outings is seeing the growing number of Christmas decorations lighting up the streets. The festive glow creates a sense of warmth, even on the coldest mornings and darkest evenings, making my runs feel a bit more magical. Lately, I’ve been seeking routes with streetlights, which has taken me into the heart of Dendermonde’s city center. It’s a wonderful experience to combine my runs with a bit of sightseeing—exploring familiar streets in a new light. Not bad for a workout! 😊

It’s strange how you can have all the best intentions in the world but still end up stuck in a routine. For way too long, I had plenty of “I’ll start tomorrow” moments, but tomorrow kept slipping away. I was stuck in that all-too-familiar cycle: wanting to get fitter, move more, feel stronger, but not finding the spark to really start, nor getting any fitter or healthier.

So, when the opportunity to join the Sofico half marathon training came along, I didn’t immediately jump in. My first thought was about time. Between work and everything else, would I actually be able to commit to a training schedule? It took a bit of encouragement from my colleagues and a well-timed pep talk from my girlfriend to help me realize that if I didn’t give this a real shot, I might never know what I was capable of. So, I signed up, took a deep breath, and here we are.

Already, the experience is incredible. It’s more motivating than I expected. Taking on this challenge alongside my fellow Sofico colleagues is giving me so much energy. The group dynamic fuels my motivation to push my limits and give it my all. Sharing our running experiences in our active Whatsapp group also triggers me to put on my running shoes early in the morning or late in the evening and just do it. It’s one thing to be part of a training program, but being part of a motivated team has been the real game-changer.

To kick things off, we had some initial assessments at Golazo Energy in Ghent. Those assessments gave me some eye-opening insights about my fitness. Turns out, I didn’t have the “basic condition” I thought I had. Actually I have no condition at all! 😅 But, these assessments gave me a clear starting point, and I now have a better understanding of where I am—and where I need to go.

The Golazo coaches have set us up with a training plan designed to get us marathon-ready in a way that builds our endurance sustainably. The mantras we’re following—“Trust the process” and “Running slow makes you fast”—remind me that this isn’t a race to the start line but a steady build toward the finish. It turns out that my old habit of running fast wasn’t doing me any favors; I’d been pushing too hard, too soon, which doesn’t help build the kind of stamina I’ll need on race day. The plan focuses on gradually increasing mileage while keeping our heart rates in check.

The pace may be slower than I’m used to, but I already feel a difference. There’s something encouraging about this steady approach. Each run brings small improvements, and having a team to share those little wins with keeps the momentum going. Bit by bit, step by step, I’m starting to feel that this goal is within reach.

It’s only the beginning, and there’s still a long road ahead. But I’m here, fired up and ready to take on this challenge! I’ll be sharing my progress, the highs, the lows, and everything in between, as we keep moving forward together. It would be great if you would follow my journey. Let's keep pushing boundaries together!

| Meet the Ambassadors 2025

Laurens De Witte

| Training updates

Follow Laurens' journey

Final update

Slow steps forward, big achievements become reachable.

Running through rain, cold, darkness... and festive lights

My road to the Sofico half marathon