Sofico Marathon Ambassador Program

This weekend, I proudly crossed the finish line of my first marathon, an unforgettable experience filled with challenge, focus, and more than a few moments of doubt... but I made it!

What an experience it was: six months of training, giving it my all, and crossing the line in an incredible 4 hours and 2 minutes. From training in Japan with a hangover to late-night runs in Ghent with a bruised rib, this journey was amazing. And it's not done yet!

Running the marathon felt amazing, an achievement I would have never seen myself accomplish last year. But now? I made it. I just did it. And I’ve got a thirst for more. I'm already looking into my next projects: fast half marathons, and running the Sofico Marathon again next year, pushing myself further, improving, and challenging myself even more.

The marathon itself was a real challenge, a perfectly balanced mental and physical test. Luckily, the support and cheering of my family and friends got me through.

I really want to thank everyone who helped me achieve this goal: my trainer Aron, Naomi, my co-ambassadors, and all the supporters along the track. Without you amazing people, this would have never been possible.

Marathon conquered. Sander out.

Oh boy, what a rollercoaster these past few weeks have been! Since my last update, I hit a major setback, but I came out stronger than ever.

I was just hitting the peak of my high-volume training runs, the kind where I needed to bring water, gels, and protein bars to sustain my energy levels. I was so excited to push my limits, to get into the long-distance endurance phase of my training. The thought of conquering those miles and seeing my progress week by week was exhilarating. Everything was going according to plan.

Then, life threw me a curveball.

The day before my first skiing trip of the season, I started feeling a bit off. At first, I brushed it off as nothing major, just some fatigue. Once I arrived at the mountains, my flu worsened dramatically. I was knocked out for days, missing three full days of skiing, an absolute gut punch.

By the time I got back home, I still wasn’t feeling 100%. My energy was drained, my body felt weak, and worst of all, I was losing hope about the marathon. I had missed crucial training time, and every runner knows that consistency is key.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, I coughed so hard that I bruised a rib. I could barely move from the pain. Running? Unthinkable, but I wasn’t going to stop. I informed my trainer about my situation, hoping we could figure out a way for me to keep training. Luckily, he adapted my training plan to fit my condition. That was the push I needed. I wasn’t ready to give up yet.

So, I ran.

I ran, biting through the pain in my chest and feeling the weight of the condition I had lost after not exercising for over a week. I refused to quit, there was no giving up.

Three weeks after my skiing trip, I went to the doctor for a check-up, expecting to be cleared for full training again. However, my inflammation levels were still way too high, my body was still recovering from a nasty virus weeks ago. I was constantly tired, still coughing violently, and my chest pain persisted. Yet, despite all of that, I kept moving forward. I still didn’t want to give up.

Four weeks post-trip, I had a big test ahead of me, a long, slow distance (LSD) run of 2 hours and 15 minutes. This run would be my measuring stick, my way of determining whether I still had a shot at running the marathon. It was a make-or-break moment.

I ran for 2 hours and 30 minutes, covering 25 kilometers. It felt surreal. After five weeks: I was back! Back on track, and ready for … my third skiing trip. This time, it was a family trip, and my trainer challenged me to keep up my running while I was there. I struggled to find a good long-distance route, but after some searching on Strava, I found a 10-kilometer path in Albertville. The plan was simple: run it twice.

This run was amazing! Running with the stunning Alps in the background, at high altitude, along a peaceful river, and around a beautiful lake… It was one of the most scenic runs I had ever done. I didn’t even mind giving up a day of skiing for it. It was worth every step.

For the rest of the trip, I focused on maintaining my fitness, running at the high-altitude village to keep my endurance strong and gain those precious red blood cells to help with oxygen flow. The timing of the trip was actually perfect for the marathon, as altitude training is known to be beneficial for endurance athletes.

Now, as I stand here, just weeks away from my marathon, I still find it hard to believe that I’m actually going through with it. Even now, when I start a 20-kilometer run, there’s always that small voice in my head doubting whether I can finish it. But each time, I prove myself wrong.

This journey hasn’t been easy. I’ve been sick, exhausted, and mentally drained. But I’ve also learned the power of resilience, the importance of adapting, and the sheer joy of proving myself capable of more than I ever thought possible.

The marathon is coming. And I’m ready.

After my previous update, I left Tokyo for Osaka, where I planned to meet some fellow travelers for lunch. However, I had a run scheduled beforehand. Looking for a good route, I found out—no surprise—that Osaka had a popular running track around its castle. I took the metro to Osaka Castle in my running gear. My colleagues had mentioned that Osaka’s vibe was very different from Tokyo’s, and they were right. In Tokyo, people might judge you for wearing running gear on public transport, but in Osaka, no one seemed to care.

I arrived at the castle around 6 PM, just in time to see it beautifully lit up—it was breathtaking! The running route offered two options: a shorter loop and a longer one. I tried both and enjoyed amazing views of the illuminated castle. After my run, I rushed back to my hostel to get ready and met up with some backpackers for dinner. There, I connected with some amazing people who I’d meet again later in my trip.

After Osaka and a quick day trip to Kyoto, my travels continued toward Hiroshima. Running in Hiroshima was a bit tricky due to limited routes. Despite that, I made the best of it. One evening, after an enjoyable (but slightly indulgent) night of food and drinks with hostel friends, I tackled an interval run near the castle. Though hungover and faced with stairs on the route, I managed to complete it. On my last day, I reunited with Hector, a fellow traveler I’d met in Osaka. We shared stories over a meal before parting ways.

From Hiroshima, I headed north to Himeji, famous for its authentic and breathtaking castle. The castle was surrounded by a well-maintained three-kilometer running track, perfect for a jog—though I had to dodge a few tourists near the entrance in the evening. This made me curious, so I returned the next night for a light show that left me in awe. My last day in Himeji took me on an unexpected journey to a nearby mountain I found online at the last minute. The views of the autumn leaves were stunning, and the hike was a great way to stay active.

From Himeji, I returned to Osaka by bullet train for a day at Universal Studios Japan. Riding roller coasters and exploring the Super Mario and Harry Potter worlds was unforgettable! I also managed another run around Osaka Castle before heading north toward Mount Fuji.

In Fujiyoshida, I stayed for three days, and just stepping outside my guesthouse gave me goosebumps—Mount Fuji was magnificent! On my first day, I went out for food with two Taiwanese travelers I’d met at the guesthouse. The next day, after they left, I explored the lake on my own, walking over 25,000 steps. To my surprise, the lake turned out to be the one featured in a photo hanging in our dining room back in Zwijnaarde—this completely baffled me! Later that evening, despite being exhausted, I pushed myself to run. Running with Mount Fuji in sight was by far the most iconic run of my life.

Next, I visited Yokohama to stay with friends of my dad who had been living in Japan for over 20 years. One evening, I enjoyed incredible fireworks and a huge drone show. The next morning, I went for a run along the marina. The clean, modern city with its friendly vibe reminded me of Singapore—truly amazing!

After saying goodbye to my dad’s friends, I made a brief stop in Nagoya, south of Tokyo, which served as my gateway to the Japanese Alps. A chance meeting in a crowded common room introduced me to a traveler who had already been to Matsumoto. She shared some great tips, convincing me to make Matsumoto my next stop.

From Matsumoto, I headed to the Japanese Alps for a long-awaited short skiing trip. But first, I had another run planned. The elevation slowed me down, but it certainly got my heart rate up! The next day, heavy snowfall made for perfect powder skiing. A German ski instructor I met on the gondola explained how Japan’s unique snow structure creates ideal powder conditions. I loved every second of it. Unfortunately, icy roads made running impossible, and the area lacked gyms. Still, skiing was a great workout! To unwind, I soaked in Japanese onsens—volcanic hot springs that were a relaxing alternative to Europe’s après-ski culture. Evenings were lively with karaoke sessions and new friendships.

After three days of skiing, my trip was nearing its end. I returned to Tokyo for four nights, staying in a comfortable hotel. I revisited my favorite running route around Tokyo Castle, bringing my journey full circle. A day trip to Hakone with a Japanese friend I’d met in Cambodia two years ago, another meetup with Hector and the Bonenkai celebration with my Japanese colleagues were the perfect send-offs.

Sadly, on the morning of my flight home, I woke up feeling very sick. Combined with jet lag, I couldn’t run for at least a week after returning to Belgium. Fortunately, my trainer quickly adjusted my running schedule. Back in Ghent, I rediscovered the Watersportbaan, a perfect track for both intervals and long-distance running. It’s also conveniently located on my way to and from work.

I have been running since I was 16 because it felt good and I noticed benefits to my mental health. However, due to my chaotic nature and lack of persistence, I never pushed myself to achieve a marathon. After joining Sofico and discovering their ambassador program, I knew it was finally time to push through and tackle this marathon goal!

When I got selected, I was overjoyed to have the opportunity to participate. I had run a half marathon when I was 18, but this time, I wanted to fully commit to training and go for the full marathon with complete focus.

It’s been incredible to feel my fitness level improving so much. The intervals, long-distance runs, and my recovery afterward have been progressing really well. The personalized schedule created by the trainer has been a game-changer. My first encounter with interval training was an experience—I didn’t understand why so many people hate it! Personally, I thought it was enjoyable (or at least I think so now).

Running has also helped me explore places in a way that feels genuine. Sometimes, when I run, I wander into streets I’ve never been to and discover hidden gems like nice restaurants or bars to visit later with friends. It’s been a wonderful way to get to know Ghent better.

Arriving in Tokyo on November 7th was a surreal experience. The city's vibrancy was thrilling, but my body reacted differently—jet lag hit me hard and threw off my training schedule. Initially, I was frustrated; it felt like I had lost precious time. However, after consulting with my trainer, we adjusted the plan, and I quickly got back into my rhythm. Running through Tokyo, with its mix of tradition and modernity, has been energizing and unlike anything I’ve experienced back home. I’m also really looking forward to running across Asia over the next four weeks 😊. Training in Tokyo has been amazing, especially learning about the running culture in another country! It’s always sunny here, so I don’t even have to worry about the rain, which is a nice change.

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Sander De Sutter

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